Hermes signifies luxury, style, and elegance. The Birkin bag...very pricey--from $9,000 up to $150,000!
The Birkin...Shame on Pinterest...all those cute photos of Birkins now have me wanting one real bad.The bag is of course by Hermes and is a symbol of wealth, due to its high price and elusiveness to the public.
The bag is named for the British haute-hippie singer and actress Jane Birkin. In 1984, on a flight from Paris to London, she had a chance meeting with Hermes Chief Executive Jean-Louis Dumas. When the contents of her purse fell to the floor from the overhead bin, she explained it had been difficult for her to find a leather weekend bag that she liked...He created the Birkin just for her.
Last year she listed her Birkin on ebay and it sold to a lucky shopaholic for approximately $158,000!!! Wow...and that money went to the Red Cross efforts in Japan.
Jane Birkin...last year with her famous bag and back in her younger days.
Here's a close-up photo of Jane's black Birkin...with stickers, Lord have mercy! Of course, Hermes offers a "spa treatment"--a reconditioner for over used bags!
Hermes has a long history, dating back to when the company was founded in 1837. The Birkin is the most recognized bag in the fashion industry. The only bags that come close are the 'Kelly' bag, also made by Hermes and the '2.55', by Chanel. The Birkin is a casual, sport handbag, but of course, can be worn WITH ANYTHING...well, not a ball gown outfit y'all!Birkins are sold in a range of sizes {25, 30, 35, 40, 50, & 55 centimeters}, hides {calf leather, ostrich, croc, & lizard}, colors {pink, red, brown, baby blue, navy blue, olive green, orange, white, black, & golden tan. The metallic hardware are plated with gold or palladium.
The bags are handmade in France by expert artisians who spend 48 hours on the average bag.
There are over 240 Hermes boutiques internationally. Hermes does not offer their bags online and of course, there has always been that rumored 'waiting list'. Rumor has it now, that with the nasty economy issues, there is no longer a 'waiting list'. Well, does that make the famous handbag any less covetable? What do y'all think? I called an Hermes boutique and inquired about the availability of the bag. The 'Snooty Sales Clerk' said that she was not allowed to discuss the Birkin bag over the telephone. Lord have mercy! I think y'all know how I feel about 'Snooty Sales Clerks'!
It was at that point that I decided to go into my investigative mode! I'm all obsessed with the Birkin now. Who knows, my husband just might hit the lottery one day and I will have that sweet orange Birkin inside my closet.
Tomorrow, I'll be back to talk more about my new obsession...The swanky Birkin bag:
~Would you Buy a Fake Birkin? "How to Spot a Fake Birkin"
~Celebrities and the Birkin bag
~"Bringing Home the Birkin" a book written by Michael Tonello about his whirlwind Birkin-buying tour.
Would I buy a fake? NO. Because it makes me feel gross to have fakes. Remember the Fake Fendi scene from Sex and the City? A few years ago I too set my sights on a Birkin. I thought....hey I'll just go on ebay. I can find everything on ebay cheaper. I get on line and see something that says Birkin for a price of only 25.00 I get excited. Then I realize it's the catalog. Used and ten years old. I love my Chanel. I'll stick with it for now. My everyday bag is a Tori. I am still in the mode of mom trying to look stylish while hauling around sippy cups, bibs, and wipes. But, one day I am going to have a Birkin. I'll be 80. But, who cares. I'll at least have one. And if my kids are not nice to me in my old age I'll take it with me to my grave. LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I would love to have a Birkin...but like you, unless someone hits the lottery, it ain't happenin'! Besides, most of the people that I come in contact with wouldn't have a clue that they were in the presence of handbag royalty. :o)
ReplyDeleteBringing home the Birkin was a great, laugh out loud book. I devoured it in a very short period of time! Definitely a must read!!
ReplyDeleteI think even if I had the money I couldn't do it.
ReplyDeleteIt's just too ridiculous!
Would I buy a fake? Yes. Because I am such an open book I wouldn't let anyone believe that it was real. Not even for a minute. But there is no way I would ever let go of that much money for a bag.
ReplyDeleteJanice, the orange is a fabulous color - I think you need one!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd bother to get a fake Birkin. The convincing fakes are surprisingly expensive, and frankly, I don't think my friends or hairdresser would be fooled, so there's really no point. :)
Great post - looking forward to more about Birkins tomorrow!
I have lusted after the Birkin for years--always been a handbag addict. I would never actually be able to buy one, but I don't think I would buy a fake either. I can only hope that I may one day inherit one from someone who appreciates that I have more taste than money!
ReplyDeleteOh me, oh my! Fake...no way! Not in this life. Knock offs just make my skin crawl. The Birkin is one swanky bag. For now, I shall stick with all of my beloved LV...ahh, but that pretty bag just may be my retirement gift to MYSELF! You know, an "AttaGirl" present!
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs,
Mrs. Kindergarten...aka...Madam Spoiled
I was gifted a vintage Kelly bag some years back. Before children I was quite a bagaholic. But now I break it out for date night! I love it, and no I am not fond of fakes in general.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I said the kelly bag, I meant the constance bag.:)
ReplyDeleteGreat article Miss Janice. No I would not have a fake Birkin but I do think many handbags today are made with a nod to the Birkin. Hopsy had some beauties made in India that were gorgeous and I wish I would have requested one of those from her.
ReplyDeleteJanice, the orange Birkin is gorgeous - I think you need one. :) I'd love to have one in lipstick red or blush pink. We can dream, can't we?
ReplyDeleteMost of the fakes out there aren't very convincing or even very cheap. Besides, even if I could fool my friends, my coworkers, and even my hairdresser, I'd know I was carrying a fake.
Great post - can't wait to read your follow-up!
Amazing --- way off my chart --- costs as much as our first house!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a special bag and great looking too. No room for snooty sales clerks though, yuck! Not in these times or any time.
ReplyDeleteBringing home the birkin was really entertaining, if you haven't read it, I do recommend it!