We’ve all seen the famous Birkin Bag, if not heard the name a thousand times on the lips of the world’s favorite high-profile figures. But like many significant tokens in fashion, few know where it comes from and what makes it so exclusive as to be attainable by invite only. And, more importantly, why on earth some enthusiasts are saying that the Hermès Birkin might just be worth keeping more than stocks.
Born from Necessity
Hermès is known for naming its bags after people, and from the Kelly to the Evelyne, they all have stories behind how they came to be. But the Birkin, named after British actress Jane Birkin, may be the most famous- and indeed the most sought after- having been widely known as the most coveted designer accessory for decades.
It all started with Jane’s famous hand-woven basket- a staple part of her daily wardrobe- and a 1983 flight from Paris to London. Birkin, a professional entertainer and a busy mother of three was seated next to Hermès artistic director and CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. As she placed her wicker basket in the overhead compartment, its contents spilled out, prompting Dumas to recommend a leather handbag. Birkin explained that she couldn’t find a stylish, secure bag that could carry as many things as her basket did. The two discussed what a bag would need to suit Birkin’s hectic, jet-setting lifestyle, and Dumas began sketching. One year later, in 1984, Hermès introduced the Birkin bag.
Jane Birkin and her basket | REX
Today, the Birkin is sold in four classic sizes (25, 30, 35, and 40 centimeters) and two travel bags, which come in 50 and 55 centimeters. The Birkin comes in multiple colors and materials, from classic black leather and hot-pink ostrich to the Himalaya Crocodile Birkin, a style that features diamonds on the clasps and, as of 2019, has sold for upwards of $400,000.
Hard to Get
It’s not a bag, it’s a Birkin,” Samantha Jones was famously told by a sales assistant in a 2001 episode of “Sex and the City.”
The Hermès Birkin bag is a symbol of luxury and exclusivity in the fashion world, and it most definitely won the “genetic lottery” of Hermès bags. Each Birkin is made by a single artisan from start to finish in one of their dedicated ateliers, a process that takes approximately 40 hours- sometimes more.
Ultimately, it’s this passion and craftsmanship that makes the bag so exclusive, but getting your hands on one might be even more tedious- and competitive.
Birkins are not available to be purchased by just anyone. Instead, select sales associates at Hermès choose whether or not to offer clients “quota” bags based on a myriad of factors. When a quota bag is offered, a client is taken back into a private room and presented with a single handbag, then given the option to purchase. Clients can hint to their sales associates an idea of the colors, leathers, and sizes they have their eyes on, but ultimately, the choice is the associate’s, which means if you don’t have a relationship with a sales associate who can offer a bag, the resale market is the only way to get your hands on a Birkin, and even then, it’s near impossible to do.
While some turn to resale to get a deal on the bag they’re eyeing, Hermès bags can often cost more when purchased secondhand. Yes, you read that right. Brand-new Birkins offered by Hermès can sell at any price from $10,000 to $250,000, but used, vintage, and one-of-a-kind Birkins can go for even more at resale on websites like 1st Dibs and The Real Real.
Is it Worth It?
There’s no denying that money talks- and the Hermès Birkin might talk even more.
This February, Scandinavian Digital Creator Albert Aggerbeck shared an Instagram post stating that “buying an Hermés Birkin is better than stocks.” He noted that the Birkin bag increases annually in value by 14.2% on average, and the value of current bags is expected to double in the next decade. Moreover, Business Insider shared that the bag has increased in value by 500% in the past 35 years.
Arguments sparked in the post’s comment section, some defending the exclusivity and value of the piece, others denying any actual value outside of its legacy. Regardless, however, there is no doubt that the Birkin is set to go down in history as one of the most timeless and eloquent bags on the market, and it is doubtful that it will ever become less desired by luxury consumers.
Still, is that much hassle really worth it for a bag? That’s a question we leave to Hermès and its dedicated clientele. Or, perhaps, we’ll take it from Emily Gilmore, “Well, well, well. A Birkin bag. A Birkin bag, a Birkin bag for Rory!” That’s right — a Birkin bag, or possibly the smartest investment ever; it goes by both names now.”
By: Mackenzie Ostrowski
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