Life | Fashion
Is The Famous Hermes Birkin Bag Still The Ultimate Luxury Bag?
Dissecting the Birkin: Is it Worth the Wait (and the Price)?
The Birkin bag, infamous worldwide, and highly elusive except for those willing to play the game. The hurdles and psychological ups and downs a person has to go through to get a Birkin bag is enough to deter a contestant of Squid Game.
The exclusivity of the Birkin has paved the way for the rise of the Birkin super fakes which have been in abundance for the last several years. However, nothing has caused a viral sensation as the Birkin-inspired bags which are sold in Walmart and dubbed the “Wirkin”.
History of the Birkin bag
The bag was named after the famous British actress Jane Birkin. The famous bag was born out of coincidence and necessity. Jane Birkin was seated on a flight next to the then-chairman of Hermes, Jean-Louis Dumas, and they struck up a conversation. Jane expressed that as a mother of three, she needed a bag that was, “Half the size of my suitcase.”
Dumas requested her to draw her ideal bag, which she did, on one of the sick bags on the airplane. And the rest as they say is history.
Jane Birkin wears out her Birkin bags one at a time. Using them over the years and not keeping them locked in a closet in pristine condition. Jane wears her Birkin bag the way it is meant to be worn — as a part of celebrating everyday life.
Why Birkin Costs So Much
The big question many people have asked over the years is, “Why do Birkins cost so much?” In November 2021, Christie’s sold a crocodile skin version for USD 390,000. The most expensive Birkin of all time is the Diamond Himalaya Birkin, which is studded with diamonds and was sold by Sotheby’s for USD 450,000.
Based on Hermes’ public financial reports, it is estimated that the cost to produce a Birkin bag is only 15% to 20% of its retail price. Therefore, we can conclude that the high price of the bag is largely due to its branding, exclusivity, and marketing. The Birkin bag reminds me of natural diamonds — perceived to be a scarce item when, in fact, they are abundant.
How to get a Birkin
Birkins are not immediately available for purchase. If you’re fortunate enough to secure a leather appointment in Paris early in the morning, there are rumors that you may be lucky enough to have a Birkin be offered to you.
However, other than the main flagship store in Paris, Birkins are notoriously difficult to come by. If you’ve watched Sex and the City, you may remember when Samantha tried to get a Birkin bag and just walked into the Hermes boutique. Only to be told by the sales associate that there is a five-year waitlist.
You can also purchase a pre-loved or vintage Birkin which is widely available, however, these bags tend to have double or triple the price of what they would retail for straight from the boutique.
The most common way to purchase a Birkin bag is to have a history of buying other items from the boutique and being a regular customer. To qualify for a Birkin, one typically needs to buy several other leather items, such as sandals, wallets, and belts, to establish a purchase history. Additionally, maintaining a good relationship with the sales associate is crucial, as they are the ones who can offer a Birkin bag.
There are so many hoops and hurdles to jump through that in early 2024, two customers from California brought a lawsuit against Hermes. Alleging that the company is a monopoly and the way the company sells Birkin bags is a violation of antitrust laws.
Why Birkin’s are coveted
Birkin bags have always been viewed as a solid investment. According to CNN, in 2016, a study found that the value of Birkin bags had grown faster than gold and the S&P 500. The bag also had a return of investment of more than 500% in 35 years.
From a psychological perspective, the Birkin handbag, due to its rarity and high price, serves as a symbol of wealth. It highlights the divide between the “Haves” and the “Have-nots.” Carrying a Birkin bag makes a stronger statement of wealth than any piece of jewelry ever could.
The Birkin bag is highly sought after not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its functionality and elegant shape. It is a timeless classic that can be worn in a variety of settings and paired with any outfit. Whether you’re heading to the beach, enjoying Sunday brunch, or running errands, a Birkin bag is always an excellent companion.
The Birkin bag in the modern world
The demand for Birkin bags and what they represented has been a longstanding norm.
However, in today’s post-COVID world, where many are facing recession, inflation, and a high cost of living, owning a Birkin bag takes on a different meaning.
Birkin owners are often targeted and followed on the streets. A friend of mine once remarked, “Anyone owning a Birkin or Kelly bag today is basically inviting people to rob them.”
Thanks to social media, anyone with access to the internet can now know all there is to know about Birkin bags. The history, make, model, and most importantly, the value.
In December 2024, influencer Janice Joostema who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, had her brand new Hermes JPG Shoulder Birkin stolen from inside the VIP changing room she was in at Maniere De Voir in Oxford Street. Her Birkin bag costs more than £10,000.
The theft of Birkin and Kelly bags are on the rise this year. In November 2024, Ginza Xiaoma, a luxury goods retailer in Hong Kong, had 66 Hermes bags taken with a total value of HK$ 10 Million (approximately USD 1.28 million).
Earlier, in September 2024, 20 Hermes bags were stolen from a luxury store in Melbourne, Australia.
Is the Birkin bag still considered a luxury bag today
With thefts being rampant in today’s world, the true luxury that everyone craves is safety and security. Safety that no harm will come to us while we are out and about along with a sense of security that we can walk freely and come back to our homes without being targeted.
The Walmart Birkin, also known as the Wirkin, gained popularity due to its resemblance to the original Birkin bag. However, many people are purchasing it for its safety, functionality, and stylish design. A thief looking to steal a genuine Birkin can easily recognize that a “Wirkin” is not the real deal. For those carrying the bag, it offers a combination of practicality and fashion.
Today, luxury brands often give plain paper bags or deliver purchases to people’s homes for the sake of security. If brands are going to such lengths to hide their own items, why are we parading these uber-expensive items around and risking our safety and well-being?
In the hungry and highly inflated world, we live in today, where basic goods such as cheese, olive oils, and butter are often stolen from supermarkets, wearing a Birkin bag puts a target on our back.
The ultimate luxury bag today combines style, functionality, and a low-key appearance that ensures the safety and security of the wearer.
In the past, the Birkin bag was considered the “It” bag.
But today, wearing a Birkin puts the “It” target on people’s backs. And that is a price that nobody is willing to pay.
