During an infamous Air France flight, Jane’s handbag contents fell out and scattered around the floor. The man sitting next to her commented that she should invest in a bag with pockets, to which she famously remarked that, “The day Hermès makes one with pockets, I will have that.” To her astonishment, the man sitting next to her turned out to be none other than Jean-Louis Dumas, the Executive Director of Hermès at the time, who encouraged Birkin to describe her dream bag to him.
One year later, in 1984, the first Birkin bag was released. Its roomy interior made it an ideal jet-set option, and the lock meant it could be securely carried securely closed during travel. The clean lines, minimalist style, and casual flair perfectly captured Birkin’s personal style. Jane Birkin was gifted a 40cm Birkin from Jean-Louis Dumas.
How many bags are made?
Hermès refuses to ever release the number of Birkin bags that will be manufactured each year. This is to limit the exclusive supply to the most elite group of consumers. Their tight control over the distribution of the bags along with their intricate craftsmanship keeps desire for the bag alive. They also place a limit on how many Birkin bags each client can purchase per year. This limited access and demand has continued to create a dedicated admiration for the bag.
Are Birkin bags worth the investment?
The Birkin has even been considered to be a better investment than gold. As a 2017 study revealed, the value of Hermès Birkin bags has increased 500% in the last 35 years, an increase of 14% per year.
How are the bags made?
An Hermès bag is made of a variety of different high-quality materials. Including leather, exotic skins like crocodile, and ostrich, and more.
The bag first appeared in calf box leather, which is the brand’s heritage leather – the oldest leather used by Hermès. It has a very smooth finish that gives Birkins an extra glamorous look. There is also a Togo Birkin, made from calfskin leather, the Clemence, which is made from cowhide and is softer, heavier, and less durable leather than the Togo. Hermès also offers the Epsom and the Fjord, which are very rigid and waterproof.
Gold hardware is seen as classic with its 18-karat gold plating, while palladium hardware offers a modern twist with its bright, silvery finish. Special finishes like Brushed Gold, Brushed Palladium, Rose Gold, Permabrass, Ruthenium, and the PVD coating from the So Black collection offer a variety of options for personalising Birkin handbags.
With almost 200 years of tradition and craftsmanship, Hermès is the epitome of top quality handcrafted luxury. In addition, it is said that a minimum of 18 hours of careful craftsmanship by the artisans is needed to create one single Birkin bag.
All exclusively made across 52 sites in France, a group of 180-250 artisans work cutting, perfecting, and stitching all the Hermès signature bags entirely by hand.
Originally, Hermès packaging was designed in a pigskin shade. But after WW2, cream coloured boxes were no longer available. And the only choice left was orange, the colour nobody wanted. It is now a part of the house’s heritage.
Stand a chance to win a Birkin bag
The Hermès Etoupe Togo Birkin 25 with Gold Hardware from 2023 is an enduring icon in the world of high-end handbags. Handcrafted from Togo leather, renowned for its supple texture and durability, the bag features the elegant Etoupe colour; a versatile taupe shade that exudes timeless sophistication. The 25 cm size offers a compact yet functional design, making it a versatile companion for any occasion.
Accentuated by gleaming gold hardware, the bag is elevated to a new level of elegance, with each detail from the signature lock and keys to the iconic turn-lock closure. The interior is lined with a tonal chèvre leather, offering a spacious compartment that easily accommodates your essentials. This Birkin is a true collector’s piece, blending practicality with the luxurious heritage of Hermès.
This end-October you can enter our competition to potentially win a beloved Birkin 25 in Etoupe Togo, 2023.