The Official Guide: How to Spot an Authentic Back Bay Design 🌊
Back Bay Designs has been creating handmade coastal sea glass art since 2013 — long before knockoffs started showing up on fast-fashion platforms. Aimee Rose, mama and founder of BBD, started the business in Cape May County and built it into a brand now carried in over 75 locations nationwide. With that kind of reach comes a problem: counterfeiters use Aimee's actual product photos in their listings.
The good news? Every authentic BBD piece has a few telltale signs that fakes simply can't replicate. Here's your size-by-size guide. 👇
Authentication By Size ✍️
5x7 pieces: Look for Aimee's handwritten signature on the front, with "BBD" written directly beneath it.
6x6 pieces: Look for Aimee's handwritten signature on the front, with "BBD" written under or next to it.
8x8 pieces: Look for Aimee's handwritten signature on the front, with "Back Bay Designs" written in full below it.
All sizes — every single one: Flip it over. Every authentic BBD piece has a Back Bay Designs logo sticker on the back of the frame, with the website and contact info printed on it. No sticker? Red flag. 🚩
⚠️ Watch Out For Knockoffs
Pieces sold on Shein, Amazon, or Temu will NOT have Aimee's signature. The tricky part? Those listings often use Aimee's own product photos — so they can look identical at first glance. Always check for the handwritten signature and BBD marking before buying from any third-party seller.
Bought a piece between 2013–2018? 💛
During those early years, BBD only signed pieces when a customer specifically asked. If you have an older piece you'd like signed now, just reach out — Aimee will make it happen. Xoxo.
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Frequently Asked Questions 🐚
How do I know if a piece I'm looking at in a store is real? Flip it over — every authentic BBD piece has a sticker on the back with the Back Bay Designs logo, website, and contact email. On the front, look for Aimee's handwritten signature with "BBD" or "Back Bay Designs" written beneath it. Still not sure? Just ask the store. Any authorized retailer will be able to confirm it's an original.
Can I trust BBD listings on Amazon or Temu? No. Back Bay Designs does not sell through Shein, Amazon, or Temu. Knockoffs on those platforms frequently use Aimee's actual product photos, which makes them look convincing. The key tell: knockoffs will not have Aimee's signature. To be safe, buy directly through backbaydesignsnewjersey.com, at an authorized co-op in New Jersey, or from one of the 75+ verified retail partners nationwide.
What does the signature look like, and where is it? It's Aimee's handwritten name on the front of the piece, typically in the lower corner. Beneath it you'll see either "BBD" (on 5x7 and 6x6 pieces) or "Back Bay Designs" written in full (on 8x8 pieces). Because it's genuinely handwritten — not printed or stamped — each piece looks slightly different. That's part of what makes it special. 🤍
I bought a BBD piece years ago and it isn't signed. Is it fake? Not necessarily! Between 2013 and 2018, BBD only signed pieces when a customer asked — Aimee calls it their "too shy" era 😄. If you have an older piece and want it signed now, reach out to BBD directly and they'll take care of you.
What's on the sticker on the back of the frame? The back sticker includes the Back Bay Designs logo, website URL, contact email, and "Est. 2013." It appears on all authentic pieces regardless of size. No sticker, or a generic one with no BBD branding? That's a red flag. 🚩
Where can I buy authentic BBD pieces? You can find Back Bay Designs at several co-ops in New Jersey, in over 75 retail locations nationwide, and online at backbaydesignsnewjersey.com. For the most current list of stockists, follow us on Instagram @backbaydesigns. Buying from an authorized retailer is always the safest bet.
Who runs Back Bay Designs? BBD is owned and operated by Aimee Rose, born and raised in Cape May County, New Jersey. The whole business is run by a team of moms and grandmoms, with an open studio policy where kids are always welcome 💚. Aimee started it all when her youngest was born — over 12 years ago — blending calligraphy, doodles, and real sea glass straight from the ocean into a style no one else has been able to duplicate.
Still not sure if it's the real thing? 🌿 Any authorized BBD retailer can confirm whether a piece is an original. You can also reach out directly via Instagram @backbaydesigns or through the website at backbaydesignsnewjersey.com. We love hearing from you — don't ever hesitate to ask! Xoxo, Aimee 🐚
Xoxo.
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