A Bag Worth More Than Gold: Everything You Need To Know About Hermes Birkin, The World’s Most Coveted Hand Bag
A couple of years ago, when I first learnt about the Birkin bag by French luxury brand Hermès, I saw a popular Nigerian actress carrying a black one and sent the photo to my friend who immediately told me it was a fake. How she knew? she owned one herself and could spot a fake from afar. She also told me then of how cumbersome it was to get one, even if you could afford it.
Hermès is one of the most recognisable brands around the world that specialises in production of luxury leather goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewellery, watches and ready-to-wear.
Birkin bags are considered a symbol of wealth and exclusivity due to their extremely limited production, making it remain one of the fashion world’s most coveted accessories. In some cases, the Birkin is considered even more valuable than gold. Simply getting your hands on a Hermès bag requires being placed on a waiting list for several years. Shocking right?
However, for the elite and famous, Hermès makes an exception. Numerous celebrities have been spotted carrying The Birkin and Kelly (the two most popular bags from the brand) bags all over the world.
Hermès infamous Birkin and Kelly handbags are the holy grail of luxury purses.
elebrities like the Kardashians, Jlo, Victoria Beckham, Jeffree Star and of course the Birkin Queen herself, Singaporean flight attendant-turned-socialite Jamie Chua, who is said to have the world’s largest Birkin collection (over 200 bags), have made the purses very popular, making it one of the most replicated designer bags worldwide.
A Bag Worth More Than Gold: Everything You Need To Know About Hermes Birkin Bag (Photo Story)
I am sure some million dollar questions in your mind are, why is Birkin bag one of the most coveted bags in the world? Why is it so special/expensive? Why is there a wait list even when you can afford one?
Based on my research, I will take you through why Birkin is so special. After reading, then you can judge if you think it’s worth the price tag/hype or not.
he Story Behind The Iconic Birkin Bag
In 1983, Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to English actress and singer, Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London.
Birkin had just placed her straw travelling bag in the overhead compartment for her seat, but the contents fell to the deck, leaving her to scramble to for her items. Birkin explained to Dumas that it had been difficult to find a big leather bag that suited a young mother.
He immediately outlined a spacious rectangular bag with polished saddle lid and stitching. The bag even came equipped with a space for baby bottles. The bag is now a symbol of uber wealth, with some types of Birkin selling for over $200,000 (over N76 million).