If you want a Birkin – one of the most sought-after handbags on the planet – there’s a chance you might be lucky, walk in to a store and be able to buy one. It’s more likely, though, that you’ll find it almost impossible to get hold of one. If the latter applies to you, our retail team can help.
‘Hermès only opens up its waiting list once a year, and is selective about who goes on it,’ says retail specialist Hannah Rech. ‘Then, those fortunate enough to be listed might have to wait two or three years for a bag.’ Even for a classic style, such as the 35cm black calf leather – as opposed to one made of vividly coloured exotic skin – attempted purchases in a shop are likely to be fruitless.
Today’s ultimate Birkin devotee, Victoria Beckham, has no such concerns. The former Spice Girl is rumoured to have collected around 100 bags, worth a combined total of £1.5 million. She is often photographed toting the latest style. However, the design’s timeless appeal is what attracts many, making it an investment piece. Hermès bags hold their value.
Hermès’ first iconic bag was the Kelly, named after Princess Grace of Monaco who carried one in the 1950s. While Kelly bags are still popular, the Birkin has become the most enduring ‘It' bag. The style was born in 1984, when Hermès CEO Jean Louis Dumas designed it in honour of Jane Birkin, who reportedly spilt her belongings while sat next to him and said she needed a better bag.
As well as their air of celebrity glamour, the bag’s quality is another attraction. ‘The amount of manpower that goes in to one bag is amazing,’ Hannah says. ‘They are entirely handmade, using no sewing machines. Craftspeople at the Hermès factory in Paris must train for years before they can make a bag, and each one is produced by a single person from beginning to end.’
Some buyers want to invest in an everyday, neutral-coloured bag, while others are looking for a unique piece. The choice of leather ranges from calf to porosus crocodile. ‘Porosus is the most sought-after material, and the skin’s price is high at the moment,’ says Hannah. ‘Limited edition matt finishes are also in demand.’
There are collectors who have paid more than £120,000 for the most exclusive, limited-edition designs with diamonds; however, classic leather Birkins sell for four-figure sums. On the private market, a new bag might cost up to double the list price.
We can source bags through the private market, Hannah explains: ‘Birkins are incredibly hard to get, but we work with someone who has contacts all over Europe. Our sources update us on available bags. Even if a style is not on the list, we can track down specific requests. There’s also the reassurance that we check each bag for authenticity before delivering it.’
If you – or your loved one – are a Birkin fan and would like to be kept updated, please call us.
We can discuss the options with anyone who is unsure which design to choose. For example, some bags are not waterproof; although these are supplied with a rain cover, as well as the usual Hermès dust bag. It’s also advisable to keep the box the bag came in, in case it ever needs to be sent back to Hermès for a ‘spa’ service. We’ll help work out the most suitable style, according to how much you want to spend, size, colour, metalware, and so on. Clasp materials include silver-coloured palladium – the most common – and gold plate.
Whether you are searching for a bag in exotic skin or classic leather, we can help. Hannah gives some examples of the Birkin designs recently on our books:
- 35cm rubis togo with gold; 35cm iris togo with gold
‘Bright leather with gold plated clasps, from the new autumn/winter collection.’
- 35cm black matt porosus croc with palladium
‘The most costly skin, in a practical colour.’
- 30cm rouge braise shiny nilo croc with palladium
'A dramatic glossy deep red finish.'
- 40cm gold togo leather with palladium; 35cm etoupe togo with palladium
‘Soft calf leather, with a textured pebble finish, which makes it resistant to scratching.’
- 30cm bleu de prusse ostrich with palladium
‘The distinctive dotty pattern in blue.’
Contact your lifestyle manager if you would like more details of bags like these.
