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.
