The Hermès Birkin is probably the most iconic and sought after handbag in the world. There are countless reasons why this is so, but we wanted to share with you the top 5 reasons why Hermès bags are absolutely worth your money. Back to the Hermès Birkin, what’s the story behind this bag?
1. We have to thank Jane Birkin’s husband for the Hermès Birkin
We all know the classic story: Jane Birkin was on a plane next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas when all her belongings fell out of her bag. This strange coincidence gave rise to the Hermès Birkin. However, the details of why she carried this impractical bag are often left out. In 2012, Jane Birkin told the London Telegraph that two days before the flight, her husband Jacques Doillon had ridden over the woven basket she normally carried.
2. Jane Birkin uses only one Birkin at a time
Today, the Hermès Birkin has become a symbol of extreme wealth and status. Hermès enthusiasts around the world collect Kelly’s and Birkins, as others do with stamps. However, the woman who inspired the famous bag takes a completely different approach when it comes to the Hermès Birkin. Jane Birkin only uses one Birkin at a time and wears it until it is completely used up. She also adorns her bags with patches, charms and other personal details to make the bag less formal and, in her own words, ‘less snobbish’.
3. It takes 48 working hours to make a Hermès Birkin
All Hermès bags are made by a single craftsman in one of the Hermès workshops. It takes 48 hours to make a bag. This does not mean that the bag is ready in two days, but in 48 working hours. So on a full time basis it would take more than a week.
4. How to skip the waiting list
The story goes that there is an endless waiting list to get your hands on a Birkin, which is partly true. Sometimes when you first walk into a store and kindly ask for a Birkin bag, you’re in luck. But you can also skip the waiting list by ordering a vintage bag online. The Hermès Authentication Service is a great way to make sure your bag is real and not fake.
5. Every Hermès craftsman has a personal tool set
Each craftsman uses his or her own tools, which the person takes with him when he retires. This is not really surprising given the skills you need to work at Hermès and the personalized nature of the handbag.
6. The ‘Himalaya’ Birkin does not actually come from the Himalayas
The name Himalayan, which refers to the super rare Hermès Himalayan Crocodile Birkin, is in no way connected to the origin of the leather. The name actually refers to the bag’s unique colors, which are said to resemble a snow-capped Himalayan mountain.
