The Hermès Birkin bag is an icon of exclusivity and exquisite design. Here’s a brief guide to its history, its manufacture and why it’s so expensive
With the launch of the Birkin bag in 1984, Hermès hit the nail on the head by creating a true luxury fashion accessory: it’s a symbol of status, sophistication and, above all, exclusivity.
This month, Hermès once again adjusted the price of this object desired by fashionistas, celebrities and even collectors.
The story goes back to a meeting on a plane between actress and singer Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermès.
During the flight in 1982, Birkin complained about not being able to find the perfect bag for a flight, a business meeting or just a night out on the town.
Together, they began sketching the design on a napkin or, depending on who’s telling the story, an Air France paper bag.
In exchange for lending his name to the bag, Hermès agreed to pay Birkin an annual royalty.
This story of the Birkin’s creation is an integral part of its appeal: a woman creating her ideal bag alongside the CEO of a luxury brand.
In terms of design, all Birkins have a single interior compartment with a side pocket.
This minimalist and functional design contrasts with its luxurious appearance, allowing the bag to retain its elegant and practical essence.
Over the years, the bag has come in a variety of sizes and styles, but the basic design has always remained a hallmark of its identity.
The standard sizes are Birkin 25, Birkin 30, Birkin 35 and Birkin 40. The number refers to the length in centimeters at the base.
When the Birkin bag was first introduced, it cost approximately $2,000. Today, a Birkin 25 in Togo leather sells for $20,000. This price increase reflects not only inflation, but also Hermès’ 10% annual increase on the bag.
The price of a Birkin can go even higher depending on the material and rarity, making it an investment for many.
Among the most sought-after models is the Hermès Faubourg Birkin, a tribute to the Hermès boutique in Paris, which can be had for around $300,000.
The Himalayan Birkin can fetch $450,000 at auction, and the Sac Bijou Birkin, with 2,000 diamonds and rose gold, sold for $2,000,000.
You can’t just walk into a Hermès boutique and buy one. Customers must have a purchase history with the brand, and boutiques can only order a limited number of Birkins twice a year.
This artificially limited strategy increases demand and makes acquiring one similar to buying a work of art. This exclusivity is one of the factors that makes it a symbol of luxury.
The Birkin is made of the highest quality materials, starting with the leather. Originally, the bag was made from “calfbox” leather, one of the oldest Hermès leathers.
Over time, however, Togo leather has become the classic and most popular choice for Birkins. It is calf leather with a soft, matte texture that becomes shinier and smoother with wear.
But they are also made in Clemence leather, with a matte grain texture, and Epsom leather, which is stiffer and retains the shape of the bag even after prolonged use.
There are also exotics in crocodile and alligator, and the most expensive of all, the Himalayan Birkin, which uses crocodile skin that has been polished to create an ombre gradient exterior.
As mentioned above, one of the reasons is the materials. The leather and fur used by Hermès: calfskin, crocodile, alligator or the exclusive Togo, Clemence and Epsom.
In addition, the metal parts can be gold, ruthenium, palladium.
There is also the fact that it is handmade in France, and of course the reduced quantity produced per year which means that the demand is never satisfied.
The craze to own a Birkin has led Hermès to face a class action lawsuit alleging that the company engages in the “unlawful practice of tying,” requiring customers to purchase complementary products before they can purchase a Birkin.
The plaintiffs argue that such practices are unfair and run afoul of antitrust laws.
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