How to Tell if a KAWS Is Real: Authentication, Fakes and Counterfeits

The international success of KAWS has led to a considerable increase in counterfeits. Whether it is Companion, BFF, Chum, or versions such as Gone, Together, Clean Slate and the various KAWS Holiday editions, all of them are now reproduced and copied, sometimes to a sufficiently high standard to deceive an inexperienced buyer. Buying a KAWS figure on the secondary market therefore requires certain precautions. Packaging, markings, vinyl quality, colors, dimensions, provenance and price consistency are all useful indicators when assessing the authenticity of a work. However, none of these criteria alone can guarantee that a KAWS is authentic. Authentication should always be based on a combination of consistent elements.

KAWS and Medicom Toy: Understanding the Origin of the Figures

KAWS, whose real name is Brian Donnelly, has developed an instantly recognizable universe since the late 1990s, particularly around his Companion character. His sculptures and figures have become international collectibles, and some older editions can reach prices of several thousand or even tens of thousands of euros. A significant proportion of KAWS figures have been produced in collaboration with Medicom Toy, the Japanese manufacturer also known for its BE@RBRICK figures. The relationship between KAWS and Medicom Toy goes back many years: Medicom documents KAWS BE@RBRICK editions as early as 2002 and identifies OriginalFake as a brand developed jointly by Medicom Toy and KAWS. However, it is important not to reduce KAWS authentication to the mere presence of the Medicom Toy name. Characteristics vary depending on the work, year and edition. A 2005 Companion should not be examined in exactly the same way as a 2017 BFF or a much more recent KAWS Holiday edition.

Why Are There So Many Fake KAWS Figures?

The combination of extremely strong demand, high prices and industrial vinyl production has naturally encouraged the appearance of copies. KAWS characters also have highly recognizable features: X-shaped eyes, stylized skulls, distinctive ears and silhouettes inspired by the world of animation. The poorest-quality counterfeits remain relatively easy to identify. The real problem comes from higher-quality copies, sometimes sold with counterfeit boxes, reproduced markings and accessories designed to reassure potential buyers. The idea that one simple detail can systematically distinguish a genuine KAWS from a fake should therefore be abandoned. Authentication is instead based on an accumulation of consistent indicators. It should also be understood that the artist has chosen not to actively fight every counterfeit. There are simply too many on the market, and establishing a committee or organization to authenticate them and pursue sellers of counterfeit works would be extremely costly.

Identify the Exact KAWS Model

The first step is to identify precisely the work you are considering buying. It is not enough to know that it is a Companion. You need to determine the exact model, year, color, dimensions, manufacturer or publisher and, when applicable, the specific edition. KAWS has created numerous variations of his characters. Some sculptures exist in several colors, while others were produced at different periods. Before physically examining a figure, it is therefore useful to compare its characteristics with examples whose origin is properly documented. Medicom Toy's official archives, for example, make it possible to find certain older KAWS productions together with their dimensions, materials and release dates. For the KAWS Companion Pushead Version, Medicom lists a height of approximately 270 mm and documents both Black and Glow in the Dark versions. This preliminary research helps avoid a common mistake: considering a characteristic suspicious when it actually belongs to a different edition of the same character.

Consult Reference Archives and Catalogues

Before buying a KAWS figure, it can be useful to research the exact model, its release year, available colorways and characteristics. KAWS Archive lists numerous figures and editions by the artist, providing information about their release dates, dimensions, different versions and packaging. It can therefore be a useful documentary resource for comparing a figure with a known edition. However, it is not an official KAWS website or an authentication organization. Whenever possible, its information should therefore be cross-checked against Medicom Toy archives, KAWSONE or other recognized sources.

Examine the Markings Under the Feet

The underside of the feet is one of the areas most commonly examined when checking a KAWS figure. Depending on the model, various markings may refer to KAWS, Medicom Toy, the year of production or rights holders involved in a particular collaboration. These inscriptions should be compared with those found on an authentic example from the same edition. Pay attention to the typography, depth of the markings, positioning, alignment and overall quality. On some counterfeits, inscriptions may be too deep, too thick, incorrectly positioned or use a slightly different typeface. However, apparently correct markings are no longer sufficient proof. Counterfeit manufacturers now reproduce these details as well. Consistent markings are therefore a positive indicator, but they do not constitute a certificate of authenticity on their own.

Examine the Quality of the Vinyl and Manufacturing

Manufacturing quality is another important factor. An authentic KAWS figure will generally display a high standard of production: smooth surfaces, precise assembly, even paint application and clean outlines. Where joints are present, they should also correspond to the known characteristics of the specific model. Low-quality copies often have more obvious defects: paint bleeding, irregular joints, grainy surfaces, inconsistent gloss, excessive molding marks or poor assembly. They are also frequently made from lower-quality materials and can sometimes have a strong petroleum-like smell. However, caution is necessary. An authentic work may have suffered impacts, scratches, prolonged exposure to sunlight or poor storage conditions. Conversely, some contemporary counterfeits have a much more convincing finish than fakes produced ten years ago. The condition of a figure and its authenticity are therefore two separate issues.

Check the Character's Proportions and Details

Proportions can often provide useful clues. KAWS characters may appear relatively simple, but their design is based on precise relationships between the head, ears, body, hands, feet and facial features. On some counterfeits, the differences are subtle: a slightly oversized head, ears that are too long, incorrectly proportioned hands, improperly positioned X-shaped eyes or a different curvature of the body. The best approach is to compare the figure with several reliable photographs of the exact same reference, preferably taken from similar angles. Be cautious with commercial photographs, however. Perspective, camera lenses, lighting and image editing can slightly alter the apparent proportions.

The X-Shaped Eyes Are Obviously Not Enough

The famous “XX” eyes are one of KAWS's best-known visual signatures, but their presence alone has no authentication value. Instead, examine how they are executed: their position, symmetry, dimensions, finish and consistency with the specific model. The same principle applies to the stylized skull and other characteristic elements of Companion. They are useful for detailed comparison, but they are also among the first features reproduced by counterfeit manufacturers.

Check the Colors

Color can provide important clues. Many KAWS figures have been released in several official colorways. A color that was never produced for a particular edition should immediately raise questions. Even when a color officially exists, its precise shade can be revealing. Some fakes have greys that are too light, blacks that are excessively glossy or tones that differ slightly from authentic editions. However, particular caution is required when assessing color from photographs alone. Lighting, camera white balance and the screen being used can significantly alter colors. A physical comparison is always preferable.

The Original Box: Important, but Not Enough

For many collectors, the original packaging is an integral part of a KAWS figure. Its presence is important for several reasons. It facilitates storage and transportation, provides information about the edition and generally improves the figure's resale value. Printing should be sharp, colors consistent and the information shown on the packaging should correspond to the relevant edition. Spelling mistakes, incorrect typography, poor print quality or inconsistent information are obvious warning signs. Embossing and raised details are particularly important. Over the past five to ten years, original packaging has frequently incorporated multiple embossed or raised elements on the cardboard. It may also include small protective plastic films on the sculpture. In the vast majority of counterfeit examples, these details are absent. However, once again, the box is not a guarantee. Counterfeiters also reproduce packaging. A fake figure can therefore be sold inside a highly convincing fake box. Conversely, the absence of a box does not necessarily mean that a figure is counterfeit. Many owners simply discarded or lost the packaging after purchase. Nevertheless, original packaging generally affects both desirability and value on the secondary market.

Be Careful with “Certificates of Authenticity”

The existence of a certificate should also be interpreted with caution. A document bearing the words “Certificate of Authenticity” only has value if you know precisely who issued it and on what basis. The best example comes directly from KAWS: for print editions sold through his official website, KAWSONE states that the works are signed, numbered and dated by the artist, but that no certificate of authenticity is issued. The absence of a certificate is therefore absolutely not evidence of a counterfeit. Conversely, a printed certificate accompanying a figure does not guarantee its authenticity. A fake certificate is considerably easier to manufacture than a fake sculpture. What really matters is the identity of the party guaranteeing the work: a recognized gallery, auction house, specialized professional or directly documented provenance.

Provenance: One of the Most Important Factors

Provenance refers to the ownership history of a work. In the case of a KAWS figure, an original purchase invoice from KAWSONE, Medicom Toy, an official distributor or a recognized gallery is particularly useful. The official KAWS website also allows buyers to track orders using the order number and email address associated with the purchase, although this functionality may occasionally be unavailable. Clear provenance makes it possible to reconstruct the history of a piece and considerably reduces uncertainty. For older editions, the original invoice has often been lost. Greater importance must then be placed on other elements: the seller's history, physical characteristics, packaging, documentation and comparison with reference examples.

An Unusually Low Price Should Be a Warning

Price is another useful indicator. A figure offered substantially below its normal market value should encourage caution, particularly when it is described as new, complete with its box and in perfect condition. However, the original retail price should not be the only reference point. Some KAWS figures have risen or fallen considerably in value on the secondary market since their original release. The market varies according to rarity, demand, color, condition, presence of original packaging and the importance of the work within KAWS's career. The right approach is therefore to compare genuinely comparable offers: same model, same year, same color and similar condition.

Open Edition Does Not Mean “Fake”

A common source of confusion concerns the term Open Edition. Some KAWS figures are not numbered and were produced as open editions. This obviously does not mean that they are counterfeit. An Open Edition simply means that the total number of examples was not predetermined in the same way as for a traditional limited edition. The final production number is generally not officially disclosed. This distinction is essential when comparing KAWS works. Two visually similar pieces may have very different edition conditions and market values.

Is a KAWS Figure Always Signed?

No. Many official KAWS figures do not bear Brian Donnelly's handwritten signature. The absence of a signature should therefore never be considered evidence that a figure is counterfeit. Conversely, the presence of a signature does not guarantee anything. The signature itself must also be authenticated. It is important to distinguish industrial production markings from an actual handwritten signature by Brian Donnelly. It should also be noted that a work genuinely hand-signed by the artist will rarely be offered for less than €20,000 or €30,000.

Medicom Toy Is an Essential Reference

For a large proportion of KAWS Art Toys, Medicom Toy is a fundamental reference. The Japanese company officially documents numerous historic collaborations with KAWS. Its archives make it possible, for example, to verify the existence of KAWS BE@RBRICK figures released as early as 2002, together with their exact sizes and characteristics. Medicom Toy also identifies OriginalFake as a collaboration with KAWS. When a figure is supposed to come from a Medicom Toy edition, comparing its characteristics with the available official information is therefore a particularly useful step.

Counterfeits Are Becoming Increasingly Difficult to Identify

A few years ago, some copies could be identified immediately because of poor paintwork, low-quality plastic or crude markings. That is no longer always the case. Manufacturing techniques have improved, and some copies now reproduce the box, markings and proportions with considerable accuracy. The abundance of high-resolution photographs available online has also made the work of counterfeit manufacturers easier. This is why older lists claiming to show “five details to identify a fake KAWS” should be treated with considerable caution. A detail that was useful for identifying one generation of counterfeits may become completely irrelevant a few years later.

Buying a KAWS Online: Precautions to Take

Before making a remote purchase, ask for detailed photographs of the actual work rather than relying solely on commercial or stock images. Front, back and side views, photographs of the underside of the feet, markings and packaging can already provide useful information for an initial assessment. You should also clearly identify the seller, check their history and ask about the origin of the figure. For a valuable piece, an invoice and a written condition report are particularly advisable. A seller who consistently refuses to provide additional photographs or provenance information should be treated with caution.

Buying from a Gallery or Professional Dealer

Buying from a recognized professional does not remove the need to understand the work, but it does provide additional security. A gallery puts its reputation on the line when it sells a work as authentic. It can also provide a detailed invoice specifying the artist, title, year, dimensions and characteristics of the piece. This traceability itself becomes part of the work's provenance for future transactions. For collectors, price should therefore not be the only criterion when comparing an anonymous online listing, a marketplace and a specialized gallery.

What Should You Do if You Have Doubts About a KAWS?

If several elements appear inconsistent, it is preferable to suspend the purchase. The piece should then be compared with examples of certain origin, the exact characteristics of the edition should be researched and additional information requested from the seller. For an important or particularly expensive work, consulting a specialized professional may be justified. It is also advisable to be cautious about categorical authentication opinions based solely on photographs. Depending on the work concerned, some important details can only be properly examined with the object physically present.

How to Tell if a KAWS Is Real: The Main Points to Check

To summarize, authenticating a KAWS figure primarily depends on the consistency of several elements: exact identification of the model and year, dimensions, colors, proportions, quality of the vinyl and paint, markings, packaging, provenance, seller reputation and price consistency. None of these criteria is infallible when considered in isolation. A box can be counterfeited. Markings can be copied. An authentic figure may be sold without its original packaging. An Open Edition can be perfectly authentic without being numbered. An official work can also be sold without a certificate: KAWSONE, for example, explicitly states that it does not issue certificates of authenticity for certain print editions sold directly through its website. It is therefore the combination of all these elements that creates a sufficiently consistent body of evidence when assessing authenticity.

Buy an Authentic KAWS Figure at Class Art Biarritz

Class Art Biarritz offers a selection of KAWS figures and sculptures, including Companion, Chum, BFF, Together, Gone, Clean Slate, Holiday and The Promise. For each work, the gallery provides the main available characteristics, including the year, dimensions, color, publisher or manufacturer and whether the original packaging is present. When purchasing a KAWS figure, provenance and authenticity should be considered just as important as price and condition. A properly documented work accompanied by a gallery invoice also benefits from greater traceability in the event of a future resale. Discover the KAWS figures and sculptures currently available at Class Art Biarritz, as well as our KAWS biography to learn more about the history of Companion, BFF, Chum and the characters that have become emblematic of the American artist.

This article is also available in French, German, or Spanish.

More About the Artist KAWS

Read more on our blog:

• KAWS and His Giant Sculptures

• Kaws exhibits at the SFMOMA

• The True/False Collaboration Between Slawn and KAWS

• KAWS Holiday Thailand: A Monumental Sculpture in the Heart of Bangkok

• KAWS Collaborates with Audemars Piguet and Squid Game