Hermès stands not only as the oldest in the realm of high fashion but also takes pride in being one of the most expensive handbag brands. In the illustrious tapestry of fashion, the Birkin Bag, an epitome of craftsmanship, whispers its name in the ears of every style aficionado, a coveted masterpiece that graces the dreams of all true fashion devotees.
Image- CNN
Like all good things in life, the inspiration for the world’s most iconic handbag is the result of sheer serendipity, a moment of accidental encounter between an English actress and the CEO of Hermès.
How it began:
Circa 1981. English singer and actor Jane Birkin was travelling to London on Air France. An upgrade placed Birkin in first class, next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the then artistic director, and CEO of Hermès. As Jane prepared to board the aeroplane, she endeavoured to stow all her carry-on items in the overhead compartment. Unfortunately, her straw bag proved inadequate in securing her belongings, leading to a sudden and chaotic spill of everything as it tumbled down.
While assisting her in collecting her things, Dumas joked that she needed a handbag with pockets. Jane started ranting about how nicer bags were never big enough to carry belongings. She lamented to him that she couldn’t find a bag spacious enough to carry her young daughter’s bottles and even mentioned that the day Hermès made a large everyday bag that could hold all the items a busy mother carried, she would give up carrying her signature oversized basket.
Jane Birkin with her oversized basket
After that, the duo started discussing and imagining designs midair, with Jane even sketching it out on an aeroplane sickbag, proposing, ‘Why don’t you make a handbag that is bigger than the KELLY (one of the most famous Hermès collections) but smaller than Serge’s (Serge Gainsbourg, a French singer/writer/director/poet and Jane’s then love interest) suitcase?’
Inspired by Jane’s and the struggles of other women, Dumas started working on ideas and created a convenient design. Later when Jane visited him when Birkin visited the Hermès atelier, Dumas gave her the finished bag in return for her lending her name to it. And thus, the famous BIRKIN was born.
Jane Birkin with Birkin Bags. Image: janebirkindaily/Instagram
Designed to detail:
Dumas’ latest creation the Birkin emerged as a spacious masterpiece, meticulously fashioned from luxurious black leather adorned with Hermès’ distinctive saddle stitching. Its allure was heightened by a buckled flap top, adorned with a lustrous swivel clasp, further enhanced by the exquisite detailing of a clochette-clad key and padlock. Unveiling its inner elegance, the bag revealed a large zippered pocket and an open pocket, seamlessly blending practicality with an aesthetic that whispered elegance.
Hermès is known for its unparalleled craftsmanship. While other companies focus on mechanization of the production process, Hermès is still committed to keeping the artisanal alive. Within the hallowed walls of its workshops in France, a sacred commitment unfolds — an annual drill that sees the nurturing of 200 new craftspeople. These individuals are initiated into the timeless heritage skills that have been the heartbeat of the house since its inception in 1837.
Image: Los Angeles Times
Valuing perfection as an absolute, Hermès’ Birkin bag is an object of desire not only because of its legendary waiting lists but also because it is a work of art. Each Birkin bag is handmade from scratch by an artisan who has been trained for no less than 5 years. The entire bag is completed by a single artisan using traditional tools and techniques dated to the Middle Ages and requires up to 40 hours for completion. The process is so detailed and perfect that the artisan’s identifying stamp is placed next to the date stamp in a Birkin and on sending the bag for a repair, the Maison reunites it with its only artist for repairment.
Roaring popularity:
The initial response to the Birkin wasn’t as it was meant to be. Back in the 80s, bags from Chanel dominated the market and Birkin couldn’t make much difference to it. Even Hermès’ quality and the serendipitous story behind its creation failed to give Birkin its popularity. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the bag became a hit. It started being seen as a status symbol.
Birkin 25 Barenia Faubough Ebene
And then came the episode of Sex and the City that sent the Birkin’s reputation to the stratosphere. In an episode of August 2001, Samantha uttered the words, “It’s not a bag-it’s a Birkin!” and immortalized it. The demand for a Birkin skyrocketed and has been the same ever since.
Some special edition Birkin:
2009 Shadow Birkin: Crafted by famed French designer Jean Paul Gaultier, the Shadow Birkin, introduced in 2009, was the first limited edition of this model.
2010 So Black Birkin: The stunning So Black collection was released by Jean Paul Gaultier in 2010. They were made in box calf leather and matte alligator in Birkin sizes 30cm and 35cm and still remain the hottest styles in Birkin Bag history.
2010 The Himalaya Birkin: In 2010, the Himalaya Birkin was released, crafted from Niloticus Crocodile skin hand-dyed to mimic the line of the eponymous Himalaya mountain range.
2012 Club Birkin: This sporty icon captivates with its distinctive character, adorned by three sleek vertical stripes of contrasting leather gracefully ascending the front of the bag.
2012 The Ghillies Birkin: Adorned with a touch of sartorial brilliance, this distinguished creation showcases added leather trim, framing both the summits and valleys of the bag.
2017 The Touch Birkin: The bag’s flap, handles, and sangles elegantly embrace an exotic skin, bestowing an air of extravagance upon its bearer. The equilibrium of this masterpiece is meticulously curated, with the remainder of the bag typically enveloped in the supple embrace of Togo leather, occasionally graced by the lavish touch of ostrich.
2018 Tressage Birkin: A masterpiece where artistry intertwines with luxury. Its front features a central panel of interwoven multicoloured leather. This iconic piece redefines elegance and creativity within the timeless Birkin collection.
2019 The Faubourg Birkin: This masterpiece pays homage to the iconic architecture of the Hermès flagship store at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, encapsulating the essence of heritage and luxury in a singular design.
2020 The Sunrise Rainbow Birkin: Distinguished by its vibrant allure, it boasts slightly arched colour blocking in four lively hues, reminiscent of a joyful rainbow.
2020 Cargo Birkin: Originally unveiled in the 35cm size, it is a vision of grace crafted from lightweight canvas elegantly adorned with leather trim.
2021 Picnic Birkin: This limited edition, crafted with woven wicker, pays homage to the roots of the Birkin bag's history, weaving a nostalgic narrative into its highly collectable essence.
2021 The Birkin 3EN1: This playful iteration features a removable canvas pochette, carrying the iconic front flap with it. Take the pochette for a quick errand or an evening clutch, and when removed, the main bag transforms into an open tote. By seamlessly replacing the pochette, you revert to the timeless classic Birkin design. This three-in-one versatility is a homage to the bag’s original emphasis on practicality, encapsulating a spirit of adaptability and style.
Although the Birkin debuted in a 40-centimetre width, earning it the moniker ‘travel Birkin.’ Hermès, however, has since introduced new sizes, with the 25, 30, and 35-centimetre variants becoming particularly popular. True to their nomenclature, the sizes directly reflect the width of the bag, as exemplified by the Birkin 30, measuring 30 centimetres in width.
The result of a chance encounter and suggestion, the Birkin today stands as the most iconic luxury item to possess. To maintain its Scarcity Marketing Strategy and cult status, Hermès manufactures only a limited number of Birkin every year and buying one involves being their most exclusive VIP customer.
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