The Entire History of the Infamous Hermès Birkin Bag

If you need a hand to carry all of that emotional baggage, you might as well opt for a Hermès Birkin Bag. Yes, you have heard this name, your mom has heard it, and even your neighbors know all about it! This bag has made its way through the decades and it is still one of the most relevant and iconic fashion pieces to date. From its in-vogue design to its expensive price tag, the Hermès Birkin Bag definitely leaves a lot to wonder about. But, what exactly is a Hermès Birkin Bag even, and why is it so famous? Let’s find out together!

What Is a Hermès Birkin Bag?

A Hermès Birkin bag is a highly sought-after and prestigious luxury handbag designed and manufactured by the French fashion house Hermès. It is named after the actress and singer Jane Birkin, who also marks the origin of the Birkin bag. The Birkin bag was first introduced in 1984 and has since become one of the most iconic and coveted handbags in the world.

Characteristics of the Birkin

Here are some key features that a Hermès Birkin bag includes:

Exquisite Craftsmanship

Each Birkin bag is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in Hermès workshops. The bags are made from high-quality materials, including various types of leather such as calf leather, ostrich, crocodile, and more. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are of the highest standards.

Signature Design

The Birkin bag is known for its classic and timeless design. It typically features a clean, structured silhouette with a top flap, two handles, and a lock and key closure. The bag’s shape and design make it both elegant and functional.

Customization

One of the unique aspects of the Birkin bag is that it can be highly customized. Buyers can choose from various leather options, colors, hardware finishes, and sizes to create a bag that suits their personal style and preferences.

Rarity and Limited Availability

Hermès intentionally limits the production of Birkin bags, making them relatively rare and hard to come by. This scarcity, coupled with high demand, contributes to their exclusivity and high resale value.

High Price Tag

Birkin bags are some of the most expensive handbags in the world. The price varies depending on the materials used and customization options, but it is not uncommon for them to cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Investment Value

Many collectors and fashion enthusiasts view Birkin bags as investment pieces due to their enduring popularity and the potential for their value to appreciate over time. Some rare and limited-edition Birkin bags have sold at auction for record-breaking prices.

Iconic Status: The Birkin bag has achieved iconic status in the fashion world and has been carried by numerous celebrities and fashion influencers. Its association with luxury, quality, and status has made it a symbol of wealth and prestige.

The History of the Hermès Birkin Bag

Jane Birkin inspired the creation of the Birkin bag with her practical need for a spacious handbag as a mother of three. In 1984, during a flight, she sat next to Hermès’ then-chairman, Jean-Louis Dumas, and expressed her desire for a bag that was “half the size of my suitcase.” Dumas asked her to draw the design on a vomit bag, and Hermès subsequently produced the bag. They named it after Jane Birkin, and she donated the royalties to charities.

Jane Birkin was often seen with her namesake bag, but she used only one at a time and preferred to wear them out over the years rather than keeping them in pristine condition. The Birkin bag is available in various sizes and designs, including the classic oversized Birkin 35, the smaller 25, and the 3-in-1 30 with a removable clutch. These bags are crafted from heritage leather and metal hardware, with limited editions featuring unique elements like embroidery, color-blocking, denim, crocodile skin, illusions, and even diamonds.

Fun fact: There have been digital adaptations of the Birkin bag called “MetaBirkins” in the form of NFTs before. But a Manhattan federal judge ruled that they violated Hermès’ copyright.

Who Is Known for Buying Birkins?

It has become a coveted item for celebrities, with instances like Samantha in “Sex and the City” using a famous client’s name to bypass a lengthy waitlist in 2001. Celebrities like Beyoncé, Drake, and Cardi B have showcased their admiration for Birkin bags. Beyoncé mentioned Birkins being in storage, Drake collects them with the intention of gifting them to his future partner, and Cardi B shared a photo of her daughter celebrating her 5th birthday with a matching pink Birkin bag.

In early 2022, during Kanye West and Julia Fox’s high-profile relationship, West reportedly gifted Fox and her friends multiple Birkin bags. However, for those who are not wealthy, owning a Birkin can be anxiety-inducing. There is, however, a constant worry about the bag’s safety, as if it might magically disappear. The ownership of a Birkin carries a considerable amount of pressure and scrutiny.

What Are the Most Expensive Hermès Birkin Bags to Date?

These are the most expensive Birkins to date:

1st Place: The Sac Bijou Birkin which costs $ 2 million dollars. In 2012, Hermès introduced a remarkable collection of jewelry inspired by handbags as part of their Haute Bijouterie Collection. It was designed by Pierre Hardy, the creative director of fine jewelry at Hermès. To this day, one of the standout pieces in this collection is the Sac Bijou Birkin.

2nd Place: The Himalayan Birkin which costs $450,000. The Himalaya Birkin is available both with and without diamonds. The Diamond Himalaya Birkin is particularly famous for being the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction. In 2022, Sotheby’s auctioned a Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30 for over $450,000 US. This marks the surpassing of its estimated retail price of $300,000 USD due to its extreme rarity. This exclusive Hermès bag is crafted from Niloticus crocodile skin, dyed in a white and grey gradient to resemble the white-capped peaks of the Himalayan Mountains.

3rd Place: The Diamond Birkin which costs from $190,000 USD to $260,000 USD depending on color and size. The Diamond Birkin bag, a beloved choice among Hermès enthusiasts, is closely related to the Diamond Birkin Himalayan but differs in the treatment of its exotic skin. These highly sought-after Hermès bags feature crocodile skin combined with diamond-encrusted white gold hardware. They are available in classic Birkin sizes, including 25, 30, 35, and 40 centimeters. Additionally, they are also offered in various colors, such as pink, red, brown, black, and more from Hermès’ extensive color palette.

Why Are These Bags So Expensive?

In 2020, Birkin bag sales experienced a significant 38% increase. This was driven by a surge in demand for luxury collectibles during the Covid-19 pandemic. A few years later, in 2021, resellers reported record premiums for these bags. In November of that year, Christie’s auctioned a crocodile-skin Birkin for nearly $390,000. This made it the second-highest price ever paid for a handbag at the time. And guess what record it could not beat? The one held by the Hermés Kelly bag which was auctioned for $437,000.

The Birkin bag has gained a reputation as a long-term investment. In 2016, a study by the online marketplace Baghunted found that the value of Birkin bags had appreciated faster than both the S&P 500 stock index and the price of gold. This resulted in the bag yielding a return on investment exceeding 500% over 35 years. However, Credit Suisse and Deloitte pointed out that compared to other luxury collectibles like jewelry, watches, and Chanel handbags, Birkin bags exhibit higher market volatility, making them more akin to hedge-fund investments.

Is the Birkin Bag something you would love to save up for someday? Or do you already own one of these beauties? We would love to hear more in the comments below!