The Hermes Birkin is supposed to be the best of the best in the world of handbags. Here are a few facts about the Hermès Birkin:
- handbags are hand-made by experienced craftsmen and may take up to 2 weeks to complete a single bag
(how long does it take to make a hand beaded Fendi bagette?)
- use a variety of exotic skins and leather for the exteriors of the bags, like calf skin and crocodile skin
(so does Gucci, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Jimmy Choo, Nancy Gonzalez, etc...)
- the metallic hardware on a Birkin bag (the lock, keys, buckle hardware and feet studs) are typically plated with gold or other precious metals, some set with diamonds.
(ok, unmatched)
- potential buyers have to wait at least two years on a wait list to get a Birkin, and Hermes sells them directly. No department or online store sells them, unless it's ebay.
(any designer can have a wait list - just institute one)
- prices start about $7500 and go above $220,000, average price $50,000
(OK, I have serious sticker shock. 220K for a handbag?! The particular Birkin that sells for this amount is a shiny black croc skin, white gold hardware with 230 diamonds,
approximately .0147 ct. each with total 6.76 carat weight. I just don't see myself EVER spending that much money on a handbag. Even if I had a billion dollars in the bank,
50K would be hard to do.)
In defence of distinguished Birkin owners, the bags are supposed to go up in value, so it is sometimes considered an investment purchase. Apparently they can and have
been resold at auction.
If I had one I don't know where I would carry it. "I'm going to the grocery store, let me throw my keys and cell phone in my 220K Birkin." Just carrying it would be a personal invitation
for robbery.
So the Hermes Birkin just isn't my speed. I don't think it's worth the price and it's not even a great looking bag. Not a fabulous handbag.
