Hermes The Birkin

The horseshoe Birkin is a nickname for certain handbags produced by Hermès, a French luxury fashion house. Specifically, Birkin bags that a customer purchased as a one-of-a-kind special order. The name comes from the fact that Hermès stamps these custom pieces with a horseshoe mark. You'll find a variety of Hermès Birkin handbags on 1stDibs.

Yes, there is a mini Birkin available from Hermès. The mini Birkin features the same silhouette as the classic Birken but in a smaller 25cm size in comparison to the regular 30cm or 35cm size. Shop a selection of Birkins, including the mini, on 1stDibs.

A JPG Birkin is the name of a handbag created by Hermès. Its full name is actually the JPG Shoulder Birkin, named after designer Jean Paul Gaultier, who created the bag. The design has the same lines and overall look as the classic Birkin but includes longer handles, so the handbag can be comfortably slung over your shoulder. Shop a collection of Hermès handbags on 1stDibs.

Shadow Birkin is a nickname for a limited-edition Hermès Birkin handbag produced in 2009 and 2010. It features black Swift leather and matching palladium hardware in a matte black finish. On 1stDibs, you can find a range of Hermès bags.

Birkins are so rare because of a range of factors. Each is handmade by a single expert craftsperson at the celebrated French luxury house Hermès, so this is going to limit how many can be produced in a year. A limited assortment of leathers and colors is released annually, and bags made in exotic skins such as lizard, ostrich and porosus and niloticus crocodile are exceedingly rare. Demand for the bags is astronomically high because the Birkin, which debuted in 1984, is considered an iconic design and is a coveted item all over the world. Additionally, customers are required to have a purchase history with Hermès in order to buy a new Birkin, and the company only allows boutiques to purchase a specified number of Birkins bi-annually. And Birkins are among the most expensive handbags in the world, so this isn’t an accessory that you’re going to see everyday. Shop an assortment of Hermès Birkin bags on 1stDibs.

A Barenia Birkin is a handbag produced by the French luxury fashion house Hermès. Specifically, it is a Birkin tote made of semi-gloss calf leather called Barenia leather. On 1stDibs, you can find a selection of Hermès Barenia Birkin bags.

A crocodile Birkin is a luxury handbag style made by the French fashion house of Hermès. The Birkin is a tote bag with a boxy shape, arched handles, and a latch hardware in the front. Crocodile pieces feature real crocodile leather. You'll find a selection of Hermès Birkin handbags 1stDibs.

An Epsom Birkin is a type of iconic Hermès handbag made with Epsom leather. Although Hermès has offered its famous satchel in a variety of materials, Epsom leather is one of the most popular options. It is a lightweight calf leather with rigid quality, a semi-matte finish and visible cross-hatched grain patterns. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Hermès Epsom Birkin handbags.

The materials Birkins are made of varies. Since introducing the iconic bag in 1984, Hermès has produced it out of calfskin leather, crocodile leather, ostrich leather and other materials. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hermès Birkin bags.

Opinions vary about which Birkin size is the most popular. In general, the Birkin is the most well-known of all Hermès bags. It comes in 25-inch, 30-inch, 35-inch and 40-inch sizes. However, the smaller bags are often difficult to find. You'll find a variety of Hermès Birkin bags on 1stDibs.

A Birkin bag is so expensive because it is made with high quality materials and created with high quality craftsmanship. Another reason for the bag's high price is its limited availability.

Yes, you can add a strap to a Birkin bag, but only if you modify the design. Most Hermès Birkin bags do not have handle hardware that allows you to attach a strap. As a result, you’ll need to slide on a decorative ring or a key ring to connect one. Since its 1984 debut, the Hermés Birkin bag has become a coveted status symbol as much as it has an exclusive collector’s piece. The handbag is among the most expensive in the world, and the appetite for the accessory is well-known inside and outside the fashion industry. Shop a collection of Hermès Birkin bags on 1stDibs.

To know if your Birkin is real, check the heat stamp inside. Beneath the front flap of a real Birkin is the phrase of dreams: Hermès Paris Made in France. Label stamps are lightly pressed into the leather in gold or silver or as a colorless imprint; metallics generally match the hardware. Check that the accent is correct on the è, the stamp is perfectly centered and at the correct distance from the top (very close to the top stitching), and the letters are clear and fine (not heavy-handed). It shouldn’t look engraved, painted on or irregular. Done by the hand of an experienced artisan, the stitches on the Birkin are slightly angled, tight and precise. Generally, the thread is the same color as the bag. Since the stitching is hand-done, it may have small inconsistencies — but it will never be messy. Sloppy work such as loose or hanging threads is the work of a counterfeiter, not a lazy artisan. There are no lazy artisans in the world of Hermès. Find a collection of Hermès Birkin bags on 1stDibs.

Jean-Louis Dumas and Jane Birkin designed the Birkin bag. The history of the Birkin owes to a chance meeting on a flight from Paris to London in 1981, when British actress, singer and model Jane Birkin found herself describing her ideal handbag to another passenger. The two travelers hadn’t properly met, so it wasn’t immediately clear that she was practically brainstorming a future product with Hermès chairman Jean-Louis Dumas. When the latter identified himself, he told the star that Hermès was prepared to produce the accessory of her dreams. The Birkin was introduced three years later. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Hermès Birkin bags.

A Himalayan Birkin typically costs around $120,000. The price of a Himalayan Birkin varies based on size. A Himalayan Birkin 30 fetched a whopping $384,285 at a Christie's auction. The price and exclusivity of acquiring a Birkin make it nearly unattainable.