> **Source:** [Kings Closet](https://kingscloset.io)
> **Page:** [How Kings Closet Authenticates Every Piece](https://kingscloset.io/guides/authentication-process)
> **Category:** Guide · Authentication

# How we authenticate every piece, before you ever see it.

Kings Closet runs a two-pass authentication process before any piece is listed. Here's exactly what gets checked, by whom, and what happens if a piece fails.

## Pass 1 — Our in-house team.

Every piece that enters the closet — whether it's a lender's first listing or their hundredth — goes through a 12-point inspection by our authentication team in New York. The team is built around former buyers and authenticators from Grailed, The RealReal, and several auction houses.

The pass-one checklist covers: brand label construction (typography, stitch count, font kerning), country-of-origin labels, fabric content match, hardware (zippers, snaps, buckles), stitch density, lining construction, and box/tag remnants when applicable. Around 4% of submitted pieces fail this pass and are returned to the lender with notes.

## Pass 2 — Independent verification on high-value pieces.

Every piece valued at $500+ retail goes through a second pass with Entrupy (their AI fiber-and-microscope analysis) or Real Authentication (a hand-vetted independent service used by Saks, Bergdorf, and Vestiaire Collective). Pass-two failure is rare (~0.3% of $500+ submissions) and the piece is returned to the lender immediately.

For vicuña, guanaco, or other restricted-material pieces, we also run a third-pass fiber-content lab test to confirm material claims and CITES compliance.

## What happens if a piece arrives and you think it's not real.

It's never happened. But if it did: you message concierge through the rental page, ship the piece back in the prepaid mailer, and we issue a full refund + a $100 credit while we re-inspect. The lender is suspended pending the investigation. If the piece does in fact prove inauthentic, the lender is permanently removed from the platform and you receive a $250 credit on top of the refund.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is the authentication process visible to renters?**
Every piece's detail page shows an 'Authenticated by Kings Closet' badge plus, for $500+ pieces, the second-pass authenticator's name. Hover for the verification date and inspection notes.

**Can lenders submit new pieces remotely?**
Yes. Lenders ship to our New York intake center for the first pass; subsequent listings can be inspected via high-resolution photo intake plus a video verification call. Pieces over $1,000 retail require physical pass-two regardless.

**Do you authenticate vintage or pre-2000 pieces?**
Yes — vintage pieces (15+ years) go through a specialized vintage-authentication track with archival reference comparison. We don't list reproductions or 'inspired by' pieces of any kind.

## Related pages

- [How rental works](https://kingscloset.io/guides/how-rental-works)
- [Rent vs buy designer](https://kingscloset.io/guides/rent-vs-buy)
- [Style Advisory Board](https://kingscloset.io/guides/style-advisory-board)
- [Rent Tom Ford](https://kingscloset.io/brands/tom-ford)
- [Rent Brioni](https://kingscloset.io/brands/brioni)


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*Rental platform: [Kings Closet](https://kingscloset.io) — authenticated designer menswear rental, nationwide US shipping.*