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Birkin Bag
Iconic Designs

Birkin BagBy Hermès

About the Design

Since its 1984 debut, the Hermès 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.

The history of the Birkin bag 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. A discussion followed that involved rough sketches on an Air France airsickness bag, and the Birkin was introduced three years later.

A spacious and symmetrical rectangular bag that features dual handles as compared to the trapezoidal single-handle frame of the company’s popular Kelly, the Birkin has amassed a rabidly enthusiastic fan base since its inception.

Because it is so pricey and sought after, the goatskin-lined Birkin has frequently been targeted by counterfeiters, and its modest aesthetic and understated branding prevent it from being easily discernible from fakes. An array of metallic hardware fixtures, most often produced in gold or palladium, helps distinguish this dynamic handcrafted tote, and likely assisted the French police officers who broke up an international counterfeit Birkin operation in 2012.

Among the characteristics that are integral to determining a Birkin’s authenticity as well as rendering it a truly desirable collector’s item are the signature lock and accompanying keys. The latter are tucked inside a lanyard made from a single piece of leather and draped around one of the handles. There are scuff-resistant base studs, too — a defense system to shield the durable leather exterior from damage should its owner park it on a gritty sidewalk. The studs are hammered in and can’t twist off, so there isn’t any danger of the bag losing its feet.

Each tote is hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, and the exotic leathers — a variety that includes ostrich and crocodile — are subsequently painted and polished by house craftsmen in France. Owing to the artisan construction effort behind this globally adored accessory, it may take up to several days to produce a single Birkin bag.

Jane had to wait for hers, too.

Shop the Birkin Bag

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Hermès Birkin 35 Ghillies Anemone Bag with Palladium hardware
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
This Limited Edition Hermès Birkin Ghillies bag is extraordinarily rare and beautiful. As a Ghillies handbag, contour stitching details set ...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Birkin 30cm Rouge Casaque Epsom Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Sydney, New South Wales
Brand: Hermes Product: Birkin Retourne Size: - CM: L 30 cm x H 21 cm x D 15 cm - INCH: W 12" x H 8.5" x D 6"  Colour: Rouge Casaque Material: Epsom Leather Hardware: Palladium ...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

2011 Hermès Birkin 35 Togo Leather Rouge Capucine Top Handle Bag
By Hermès
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Hermès handbag, Birkin model, size 35, made of capucine-colored togo leather with silver hardware. Equipped with the classic flap with interlocking closure and buckle. Complete with ...
Category

2010s Top Handle Bags

Hermès 40cm HAC Black Toile/Swift Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Brand: Hermès Style: HAC Size: 40cm Color: Black(Noir) Material: Toile/Swift Leather Hardware: Palladium Hardware (PHW) Dimensions: 16" W x 16" H x 9" D Handle Drop: 4.5"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Birkin35 Fauve Barenia Faubourg bag
By Hermès
Located in London, England
Hermès Fauve Barenia Faubourg Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware. Very special and in high demand bag. Signature Barenia leather, the most popular le...
Category

2010s Top Handle Bags

Hermès Birkin 30 in fennel green from 2009
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning Hermès Birkin 30 bag in fennel green grained leather delivered in its original Hermès dustbag. Condition: very good Made in France Model: Birkin 30 Material : grained leathe...
Category

Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags

2019 Hermes Gold Swift Birkin 30 Tressage Bag
By Hermès
Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Limitrd edition birkin 30 tressage in gold swift leather and palladium hardware. Overall still in excellent barely worn condition, with minor storage scuffings. Stamp D (2019). Comes...
Category

2010s Tote Bags

Hermès Etoupe Grey Black Tri Color Swift Leather 30 cm Birkin
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Tri Color Swift Leather 30 cm Birkin is in excellent condition. Long waitlists are commonplace for the intensely coveted classic leather Birkin bag. Each piece is hand crafted by skilled artisans and represents the epitome of fashion luxury. This totally unique Birkin combines neutral Etoupe, black and grey with brushed Palladium hardware. Swift is a smooth leather known to absorb color beautifully. White stitching contrasts beautifully with the leather on this piece. Double rolled handles are carried in hand or at the elbow. Coordinating chevre (goat skin) lining with one side zippered pocket. Q stamped...
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2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Poppy Orange Togo 25 cm Birkin with Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Poppy Orange Togo 25 cm Birkin is in pristine unworn condition with the protective plastic on the hardware. A vibrant orange with a...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Intense Blue and Purple Epsom 30 cm Horseshoe Birkin
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Intense Blue and Purple Epsom 30 cm Horseshoe Birkin is in pristine unworn condition; the protective plastic is still intact on the hardware. Considered the ...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Berry Rose Crocodile 30 cm Touch Birkin
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Framboise Rose Crocodile 30 cm Touch Birkin is in pristine condition with the protective plastic intact on the hardware. A subt...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Miami Dolphins Horseshoe Chevre 35 cm Birkin
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Yellow and White Clemence 35 cm Birkin is in pristine condition. Hermès bags are handstitched and usually require extensive wait lists. This uniquely bicolor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

2008 Hèrmes Birkin 35 Hevercalf Trench Top Handle
By Hermès
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Iconic Hermès bag, Birkin model size 35, made in Trench-colored Hevercalf leather with silver hardware. The bag has a front flap equipped with a twist lock with two side bands. Equip...
Category

Early 2000s Top Handle Bags

Hermes Tressage Red Birkin 35 Swift Leather
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Birkin Tressage, delivered in original Hermes box and dustbag Condition: very good Made in France Collection : Birkin 35 Tressage Material : Togo...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Vivid Red Epsom 30 cm Birkin Bag
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Vivid Red Epsom 30 cm Birkin is in excellent condition. Considered the ultimate luxury item, the Hermès Birkin is stitched by hand. Wai...
Category

Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Sky Blue Epsom 30 cm Birkin with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Sky Blue Epsom 30 cm Birkin is in pristine condition. Hand sewn and coveted worldwide; the Hermès Birkin is considered the epitome of...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Raspberry Clemence 30 cm Birkin with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Raspberry Clemence 30 cm Birkin is in pristine condition with the protective plastic on the hardware. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxury item the world over. Hand stitched by skilled craftsmen, wait lists of a year or more are common. Clemence is a scratch resistant textured leather made from the hide of a baby bull...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Rust Epsom 25 cm Birkin
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Rust Epsom 25 cm Birkin is in excellent condition. Considered the ultimate luxury item, the Hermès Birkin is stitched by hand. Waitlist...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Punch Pink Red Togo 30 cm Birkin with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Punch Pink Red Togo 30 cm Birkin is in pristine unworn condition with the protective plastic intact on the hardware. Waitlists exceeding a year are commonplace...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

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