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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.

Hermes Birkin Bag

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Hermès 30cm Birkin Ambre Togo Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Brand: Hermès Style: Birkin Size: 30cm Color: Ambre Material: Togo Leather Hardware: Palladium Hardware (PHW) Dimensions: 11.75" W x 9.5" H x 6" D Handle Drop: 5"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

HERMÈS Rouge Grenat & Gris Mouette Epsom Leather HSS Special Order Birkin 35cm
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
HERMÈS Rouge Grenat & Gris Mouette Epsom Leather HSS Special Order Birkin 35cm Retourne Serial Number: A Age (Circa): 2017 Accompanied By: Hermès Dust Bag, Box, Lock, Keys, Clochett...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès 25cm Birkin Sellier Bleu Saphir Box Calf Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Brand: Hermès Style: Birkin Sellier Size: 25cm Color: Bleu Saphir Material: Box Calf Leather Hardware: Palladium Hardware (PHW) Dimensions: 10" W x 7.5" H x 4.75" D Handle Drop: 4"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès 25cm Birkin Sellier Nata Epsom Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Brand: Hermès Style: Birkin Sellier Size: 25cm Color: Nata Material: Epsom Leather Hardware: Palladium (PHW) Dimensions: 10" W x 7.5" H x 4.75" D Handle Drop: 4"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Menthe Birkin 30 Bag
By Hermès
Located in Athens, GA
Hermes Menthe Birkin 30 Bag. Clemence leather. Palladium silver hardware. Minty green color. Very good condition. Light wear on the silver hardware. Interior clean. Includes clochett...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European 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

Hermes 8W Rose Azalee Birkin 30 Epsom Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Jewels Aficionado offers an Hermès 8W Rose Azalee Birkin 30 in Epsom leather that is a refined and elegant piece. Its soft pink hue adds a touch of femininity, while Epsom leather en...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermès Deep Brown Evergrain 30 cm Birkin
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Deep Brown Evergrain 30 cm Birkin is in pristine condition. Hand sewn and coveted worldwide; the Hermès Birkin is considered the epitome of luxury handbags...
Category

Early 2000s 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

Hermes 30cm Red Birkin Bag
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
HERMES 30cm Red Birkin Bag with Silver Hardware 100% Authentic Hermes Birkin Bag COLOR: Red MATERIAL: Leather HARDWARE: Silver ORIGIN: France CONDITION:...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Rare 2013 Hermes Tadelakt Gris Perle Palladium Guilloche Hardware Birkin 35 Bag
By Hermès
Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Birkin 35 in swift gris perle leather with guilloche palladium hardware. Slight scratching and scuffing throughout due to the nature of the leather, mostly visible on the flap top an...
Category

2010s Tote 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 25cm Birkin Jaune Ambre Togo Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Brand: Hermès Style: Birkin Size: 25cm Color: Jaune Ambre Material: Togo Leather Hardware: Palladium (PHW) Dimensions: 10" W x 7.5" H x 4.75" D Handle Drop: 4"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Birkin 35 Epsom Bleu De Galice
By Hermès
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Borsa a mano firmata Hermès, modello Birkin, misura 35, realizzata in pelle Epsom, rigido e antigraffio, colore Bleu De Galice con hardware argentati. Dotata della classica patta con...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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 Rose Orange Togo 30 cm Birkin with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Rose Orange Togo 30 cm Birkin is in pristine condition. Hand stitched by skilled craftsmen, wait lists of a year or more are common for the Hermès Birkin. Pe...
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

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

Hermès Rose Epsom 30 cm Birkin with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Rose Epsom 30 cm Birkin is in pristine unworn condition; the protective plastic is still intact on the hardware. Considered the ultimate luxury item, the Her...
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

Haute A Courroies Hac 50 Red Rouge H Crinoline Buffalo Duffle Travel Bag Vtg
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
This bag is absolutely magnififenct
Category

19th Century European Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags

Hermes Birkin 30 Craie Togo leather bag GHW
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Birkin 30 Craie bag. Togo leather. C stamp. Excellent condition. Comes with dust bag ,keys,clochette and locker. No receipt.
Category

2010s French Tote Bags

Hermes Birkin 25 Anemone Togo leather bag GHW
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Birkin 25 Bag. Anemone color. Togo leather. R stamp. GHW. Beautiful combination of anemone color and GHW. Bag comes with dust bag,keys,Clochette and locker. No receipt. Pre ow...
Category

2010s French Tote 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

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