These days, the term “fashion icon” is thrown around too casually, applied to any celebrity with a basic sense of style and a large social media following. However, Jane Birkin truly embodied the term. She not only inspired generations of women to wear classic white shirts and jeans, but she also left a significant impact on the fashion world. Birkin’s recent passing at the age of 76 has left both her French and British fans mourning the loss of a true style legend.
While Birkin will always be remembered fondly for her signature looks like white shirts, flared jeans, mini dresses, and her iconic messy fringe, her greatest contribution to the fashion world is undoubtedly the Birkin bag. The Hermes Birkin bag, inspired by Birkin herself, is the epitome of luxury and is considered the most coveted and expensive handbag of all time.
Just how expensive is expensive when it comes to the Birkin bag? Well, we’re talking about a price tag that can rival the cost of a house in certain parts of the world. For instance, in 2019, a ten-year-old matte white crocodile hide Himalaya Birkin sold for £162,500, setting a European record at Christie’s auction. In 2020, another crocodile Himalaya Birkin bag fetched an astonishing £231,000, establishing a new world record for the “Holy Grail” of handbags.
So, what makes the Hermes Birkin bag the ultimate status symbol among handbags? To understand its importance, we must delve into the history and reputation of the Hermes brand itself. Founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermes, the brand initially specialized in creating harnesses for horses. It has maintained its equestrian roots throughout its evolution, with its logo featuring a horse. Over time, Hermes expanded its product line to include leather goods, clothing, silk scarves, and much more. Each item produced by Hermes is revered for its quality, craftsmanship, and of course, its eye-watering price tag.
An entry-level Hermes bag starts at £2,690, while a Birkin bag can range anywhere from £9,000 to an astounding £150,000. Unlike many luxury brands, Hermes does not participate in sales or discounts. It doesn’t need to. The brand’s bags are highly sought after by the world’s most fashionable and famous, including Victoria Beckham, Jerry Hall, Julia Roberts, Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, and the Kardashian-Jenner family.
The story behind the Birkin bag is humble in contrast to its price and prestige. In 1980, Jane Birkin, then 33 years old, sat next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the CEO of Hermes, on a flight from Paris to London. As Birkin struggled to fit her straw travelling bag into the overhead compartment, she shared her difficulty finding a suitable leather weekend bag that could accommodate her needs as a young mother. This conversation sparked the idea for the Birkin bag. Dumas and Birkin discussed their ideal bag design, with Dumas sketching on the back of a sick bag. The result was a simple yet elegant rectangular holdall with a distinct saddle stitch.
In 1984, the Birkin bag became available for purchase and has since remained in high demand, with waiting lists notoriously shrouded in secrecy. Even customers with the means to afford a Birkin must wait for several years before getting their hands on one. Some may accuse Hermes of intentionally limiting the availability of their bags to drive demand, but the reality is that creating a Birkin bag is an intricate and time-consuming process. Around 3,000 skilled craftspeople across 15 ateliers in France work tirelessly to master the art of Birkin bag production.
Given both the scarcity and high demand for brand new Birkin bags, their resale value is equally impressive. According to luxury resale sites like Vestiaire Collective, the Birkin bag is consistently one of the most sought-after items, with its value often appreciating by around 130% of its original retail price. Online platform Baghunter predicts that the Birkin bag’s value will continue to rise significantly over the next 50 years.
Despite its astronomical price, a Birkin bag is designed to last a lifetime. It is not a disposable fashion item but a cherished heirloom that can be passed down through generations. The Birkin bag represents the antithesis of fast fashion, with its timeless design and unparalleled craftsmanship.
For Jane Birkin, her namesake bag is a fitting and extraordinary legacy. Immortalized in leather, her influence on fashion will continue to inspire and captivate for years to come.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
