In an industry of "luxury," not being quite so luxurious, we can always seem to turn to the Hermes Birkin. The omnipresent, lock and key, gorgeous leather, simply stunning, eternally classic Birkin.
Named after french actress and singer Jane Birkin, the handbag sized tote was made with her in mind. While stories vary on how the bag was presented to Jane Birkin, the gesture remains and 28 years later, we have an iconic bag that represents something similar to most people who lay eyes on it; status.
The Birkin as a status symbol is undeniable. Attaining said status, said bag or even the combination of the two are relative and may not represent the same level of social status to everyone.
New Birkin bags start at around $5,000 and often move upward and upward. The most exotic skins retailing in the six digit range.
One major reason for this steap price has been the same since the beginning. Each individual Birkin Bag is constructed by hand, often taking 48+ work hours to complete. Also, each bag can brag that one singular craftsman assembled the Birkin. One craftsman per bag, period. From start to finish with no assembly lines, outsourcing or sub-par contruction.
With such limited supply, the Birkin bag has an infamous "Waiting List." This waiting list is known to keep you waiting anywhere from two to five years just to purchase one of these magnificent accessories.
While, technically, the wait time is frusterating, established Hermes clientele can be placed on a "Call," or "Order List," where clients are informed of new inventory in Birkin Boutiques up for grabs.
Birkin bags arrive sporratically to boutiques with little to no warning and in very limited quantities. This, of course, adds to the over all allure and exclusivity if the purse.
Another benefit of being a preferred Hermes client is the option to custom order a Birkin or Kelly bag. This includes but is not limited to choosin the color, skin, lining and topstitching of your own special bag. Special orders are delivered to Paris only twice per year and a single custom order can take up to two years to be delivered. Often times, however, custom orders will not arrive due to Hermes' infamous predisposition of discontinuing dyes and skins.
Some Birkin bags have grown star power connected to the starlets toting them. One infamous Birkin moment was in 2006 when Lindsay Lohan famously lost her orange Birkin with a reported $1,000,000 in jewelry inside at London's Heathrow airport. The bag and its contents were later recovered.
Is it irresponsible to lust after such a frivelous item in our spiralling economy? Comment with why or why not.
If you think feeling guilty is a silly respone, comment with your dream custom Birkin.
I personally prefer a lack of bells and whistles. I prefer the classic 35mm in black pebbled leather with gold hardware.
"Its not a bag; it's a fucking Birkin." - Samantha Jones, Sex and The City
