Birkin bag

An accessory with a story worthy of a separate movie that grabs the attention of the whole world. The unique and luxurious Birkin bag from the French brand Hermes makes hearts beat faster with its appearance. An indicator of status, high income, refined taste and love for items of exceptionally high quality - that's what the Birkin bag collection is all about.

The Hermes fashion house was founded in France in 1837 and was originally known as a workshop for the production of equestrian equipment. The founder of the company, Thierry Erme, studied the intricacies of working with leather in his native Germany for a long time, and when he moved to France, he honed his skills to the highest level. Gradually, the range of the workshop expanded, and soon the house of Hermes began to produce ready-made clothes, accessories and perfumes. Since the 1950s, the brand has had its own logo - the image of a horse with a cart.

The history of the appearance of the iconic Hermes Bbirkin handbag in the assortment is accompanied by interesting events.

In 1984, during one of the air travels, the general director of the fashion house Jean-Louis Dumas happened to be a neighbor of the popular French actress Jane Birkin. He noticed how the girl was trying unsuccessfully to put numerous folders with papers and other ladies' little things in a small Hermes clutch.

In a dialogue with the actress, Dumas found out that the girl was upset by the lack of internal departments and would be happy to have a model that would accommodate all her things, and would also look elegant and sophisticated. This is how the idea of ​​the Birkin bag by Jane Birkin was born, especially for which the iconic model was created and whose name was given to it.

For the manufacture of the original product, selected varieties of calfskin are used. Also popular are models made of python, ostrich, crocodile skin. The special treatment leaves the skin surface soft to the touch, while protecting it from damage and scratches. The recipe for the composition with which the leather is impregnated for its unique softness is kept in strict confidence, as are all the nuances of leather finishing.

The model is distinguished by a laconic design, the designers use a soft color scheme, except for a platinum or gold lock, no additional decorations are provided, only occasionally there are specimens with spikes or stones on special order. On the lining there is a corporate brand of the company, an embossed stamp with the name of the brand and the place of creation.

Each piece in the collection is sewn by hand and undergoes strict quality control, so it is quite easy to distinguish an original from a copy, even a very good one, if you know the peculiarities of tailoring.

Signs of the original model:

• The branded bag is lightweight; the standard 35 cm model weighs just over 1 kg.
• The Birkin stitches are in keeping with the Hermes signature - they are angled slightly towards each other. The seams must be tight and well finished.

• The bottom of the original model does not touch the surface on which it stands - it is equipped with miniature legs that prevent the product from settling and falling to one side, and also protect it from dirt.
• The set includes a clasp and keys, which are engraved with a thin Hermes lettering. The lock can only be opened with the supplied key, which ensures the safety of the contents. All fittings are volumetric, made of cast metal. Fake locks and keys are most often hollow inside and do not perform any function other than decorating.

• Replica pens are usually quite flimsy, a fake will not support the heavy weight that is normal for an original. Hermes craftsmen attach fairly thick handles to the products in a special way, observing clear symmetry.

• The first made bags were covered inside with a cover made of beige velor, and then with dense flannel. Contemporary models are finished in fine beige herringbone fabric.
• No bulges, folds are allowed in the form, no creases appear on the original skin. Genuine Birkin flat on both sides.

• The stamp with the inscription “Hermes Paris Made in France” is embossed on the inside, has smooth contours and volume. It is very difficult to repeat the original stamp; in counterfeit products it will most likely be blurry, not large enough or, conversely, too small.

• Each bag is assigned a unique number, which can be used to find out who was responsible for its sewing. Counterfeit sellers cannot provide this information.

Usually, the ordering procedure looks like this: twice a year, in the summer and winter seasons, the opening of the record is announced in the official London boutique... You can sign up for a waiting list within two days, and during the ordering process, all the necessary parameters are negotiated with a company representative - size, color, material, and other details. The company usually does not take a deposit only if the customer needs a complex design or expensive rare material. The lucky ones on the list can only wait. Orders are sent to Paris, where the craftsmen work.

The waiting time for an order can sometimes go up to 6 years, depending on the number of requests. But most often, after a couple of years, you can get the coveted call from the boutique and go after your purchase. If the buyer is not satisfied with the quality of the product or there are other claims, he has the right to refuse the purchase. Instances that customers change their minds are sometimes available in Hermes boutiques for several days.

In the top 10 most expensive bags on the planet, Birkin is not the last and is on a par with brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton.

The price of a copy starts from 7 thousand euros. The immodest cost is justified by a beautiful history of creation, high quality and a guarantee of uniqueness from the brand.

Also, the price depends on the material - the leather of rare animals, reptiles, python is used in the production. The most expensive models start at $ 20,000. One of the most original and expensive materials is the leather of the Salted Crocodile, the cost of which depends on the size of the reptile's combs.

The Hermes accessory can be safely called universal. Birkin looks great both with an office formal suit and with a light casual dress for a walk. It will not only complement the look and emphasize the elegance, but will also allow you to take with you all the most necessary things that will find a place in wide departments.

Having picked up a model in the color on the basis of which an individual wardrobe is selected, you do not have to worry about creating stylish images. In addition to the basic colors, the collection contains specimens of orange, turquoise, red shades.

Star admirers of the legendary collection from Hermes create the most harmonious images, looking at which the desire to take possession of the coveted accessory only grows.

Victoria Beckham, a renowned fashionista and recognized style icon, owns her own collection of Birkin bags, which includes 40 items in different colors and materials. With her favorite accessory, Victoria can be met at a gala reception, where she harmoniously combines the basic colors of a bag with dresses of a classic cut and universal color, or on a walk with her sons, when she combines bright bags with casual jeans and sweaters.

Sisters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian consider Birkin an indispensable part of everyday life, combining bulky bags with overalls and high-heeled shoes of the corresponding color.

The popular actress Blake Lovely at one of the receptions appeared in a short black dress, holding a bright red crocodile skin model in her hands.

Hermes' Birkin line has become a key highlight for the art of collecting. Before the introduction of this series, accessories were not successful at auctions, they were not considered as a profitable investment that could become a good investment. After high-quality leather products have confirmed their durability and uniqueness, a separate category has emerged in collectors' circles - "luxury accessories".

That is why the Birkin bag, which is so difficult to acquire, is the object of desire of fashionable ladies and one of the most treasured lots at auctions. The secret of the accessories is that the cost of them only grows over time, acquiring an original model, the client gets the opportunity to sell it profitably one day. At one of the auctions in Beverly Hills, 68 Birkin models were presented, one of which was purchased that evening for 70 thousand dollars.

Despite the undeniably high price, the line for a personal copy is not getting smaller, and thousands of women and men around the world are patiently waiting in the list of orders. The Hermes brand has long proved that you don't mind any money for a truly high-quality item that will last for decades. That is why the Birkin bag does not go out of fashion and interest in it does not fade away.