How the Hermès Birkin Bag Became Iconic?

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Considered one of the most coveted leather goods in the world, the Hermès Birkin bag has become a fashion icon over the years, almost a Grail. A piece with a timeless cut that radiates the savoir-faire of the French house, and which is snatched up for thousands of euros. From its creation to its arrival at the most prestigious auctions, here’s a look back at the history of one of the most iconic bags in women’s fashion.

How did the idea of the Hermès Birkin bag come about?

Like many bags from fashion houses, Hermès chose to associate the name of a woman with its model created in 1984, and not just any woman.

The Birkin bag reflects its name, the very genesis of its birth, somewhat unexpected and original. The actress and singer Jane Birkin, to whom we owe the birth of the mythical handbag of the same name, explained in numerous interviews how the idea for this bag came about.

While she was on a flight, the young woman, unknowingly seated next to the artistic director and president of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, accidentally spilled some of her belongings from her bag. From this incident, a conversation started between the two passengers, as she confided a few years ago, “He told me that I should put my personal effects in my closed pockets.” To this, Jane Birkin pointed out that if Hermès made a bag with pockets, she would take it. This was followed by her neighbor’s unexpected response: “I am Mr. Hermès and I will make pockets for you.”

One thing leading to another, the first sketch of the ideal bag that the artist envisioned was sketched on a vomit bag mid-flight on a day in 1981. The Birkin bag was designed to be larger than the Kelly bag and smaller than the Serge suitcase, offering adequate space to store both her young mother’s belongings and the many scripts related to her work.

Thus, in 1984, the artist received the new Birkin bag from Hermès, which became the first it-bag of the house!

In 2011, Jane Birkin auctioned this first piece to support Japan, which was then facing the consequences of the tsunami. The Red Cross collected the €110,000 raised during the sale. The model is now part of Catherine B’s collection, known for her collections of Hermès and Chanel bags.

Why has the Hermès Birkin bag become one of the most sought-after leather goods in the world?

With its design recognizable among thousands, the Hermès Birkin bag comes in a range of handbags available in several dimensions (25, 30, 34, 40 cm), as well as a travel range between 50 and 55 cm. The piece, mainly made of leather, features details in gold or platinum plating, and is accompanied by a numbered padlock, with the keys attached to a leather strap on the handle.

Each piece is customizable, from the choice of material to its accessories. Some colors are specific to a season or collection, making the piece even more sought after. Some artists have even used it as a canvas to express their art.

What role have celebrities played in the popularity of the Hermès Birkin bag?

If all women have started dreaming of the Hermès Birkin bag, it is partly due to the aura of the British artist who inspired women around the world. These women, wishing to recreate her outfits, would in turn slip the famous bag onto their arms.

As the years went by, the model continued to gain popularity, with many prominent female figures of our time collecting the Hermès Birkin bag, including the likes of Lady Gaga and Victoria Beckham.

The skyrocketing rise of social media also helped maintain the myth surrounding the piece. Unboxing videos of the piece have garnered millions of views under the tags #hermesunboxing and #birkinunboxing. Recently, a 19-year-old woman shared her journey of purchasing a model for €180,000 on TikTok, accumulating thousands of views.

Pop culture has also given it nods, partly through lyrics from rappers like A$AP Rocky, but also through series. As seen in Sex and The City, where Samantha discovers the famous waiting list to acquire a Birkin bag in… 5 years!

How has the limited production of the piece accentuated the myth surrounding the bag?

Yes, if the bag has become so sought after, it is partly due to the famous waiting list leading to the prestigious bag. Produced in small quantities, a waiting list system had been in place for years to hope to get one. By the 2010s, these lists began to disappear thanks to a slightly increased production of the model. However, this production remains low compared to the growing demand (about 12,000 pieces produced per year), so there is always a certain wait before acquiring one’s Hermès Birkin bag.

The piece thus stands out as an exclusive item, drawing even more attention to it.

Rumor has it that some clients, maintaining good relationships with store staff, can hope to be informed about incoming pieces or even have the honor of being gifted one! You know what you need to do on Wednesday afternoons…

Why is the second-hand market so lucrative for the Hermès Birkin bag?

Facing rare pieces in stores, the second-hand market is blooming to get both recent models and those from older collections.

The Hermès Birkin bag represents a true goldmine for owners, with an exponential increase in value. While there is a constant rise in the price of pieces in stores, this is even more notable in the second-hand market, particularly due to the rarity factor of the pieces. The value of a bag is positioned above that of gold as well as art objects.

This is how many auctions, including those at Christie’s, see exceptional models pass through their hands with selling prices that can go beyond €250,000.

Why is the Hermès Birkin bag one of the most expensive bags in the world?

Besides the aspect of rarity that favors price growth, it is mainly the craftsmanship that lies at the origin of the Hermès Birkin bag that justifies its high cost, placing it among the most expensive bags in the world.

Each bag is handcrafted in France, by an artisan who dedicates themselves entirely to one piece. For about forty hours, they bring the bag to life from cutting the materials to the finishing touches, with each model in the range having its own unique details.

A unique approach to craftsmanship, which distinguishes the Hermès Birkin bag from other leather goods. Thus, an artisan can recognize a bag they made and sometimes finds themselves years later repairing the bag.

Repair is another factor justifying the price of the Birkin. Indeed, if needed, customers can have their bag repaired if it needs reinforcement. This rarely happens before many years, as the bag is incredibly sturdy. And this is where we touch upon a third point: the quality of the bag.

Made with high-quality materials, selected with the utmost care, and assembled by hand with precision, the Birkin bag is one of the most durable on the market, and it is known to be an extremely sustainable investment. This is confirmed by the presence of thousands of models in perfect condition in the second-hand market, some of which have many years of existence on their counter.

Why did Jane Birkin wish to no longer be associated with the eponymous bag?

While the Hermès Birkin bag attracts all eyes, one of the models in the range has repeatedly attracted criticism. Following revelations from the PeTA association about the deplorable conditions of slaughter of the Crocodylus niloticus, whose scales the Hermès house used to design its Himalaya model (which has become the most expensive bag in the world), Jane Birkin herself wished for her name to be dissociated from the model in 2015. This was until measures were taken to improve the situation, and the production adhered to international standards.

The house reportedly emphasized conducting an investigation into the farm and stated that they do not use these skins for the Birkin.

The British artist, who passed away on July 16, has thus marked women with her grace, and offered them a new companion for life. If the piece does not fit your budget, the English company ByRotation offers the daily rental of the Hermès Birkin bag, perfect for dreaming for a day!