Behind the HYPE: How Hermès Ushered in the Era of Fashion Exclusivity With the Coveted Birkin Handbag

Brought to you by the All-Electric Acura ZDX, the latest episode of Behind the HYPE explores the mystique surrounding the Hermès Birkin, a luxury item sought after by the fashion elite. A symbol of French elegance and exclusivity, wearing a Birkin on your arm is a beautifully tailored display of influence, power and wealth.

Those who acquire Birkin bags have shown loyalty to the fashion house over the years or are personally selected to wear the bag — a coveted recruitment process reserved for socialites, celebrities and affluent tastemakers. 

A leather goods manufacturer founded in the 1800s, Hermès was known for producing high-quality saddles and harnesses. In 1886, the first automobile gave rise to a new frontier of public transport. Hermès pivoted to specializing in leather handbags, solidifying its presence as a fashion and lifestyle goods purveyor.  

In a chance encounter, British actress and singer Jane Birkin was seated next to the executive chairman of Hermès. A cultural and fashion icon known for her decade-long romance with French singer Serge Gainsbourg during the French New Wave movement, Birkin was the ideal modern woman: chic, carefree and effortlessly Parisian in spirit. The two began sketching their interpretations of the perfect handbag, a “spacious rectangular holdall with a burnished flap, saddle stitching” and enough room to house away baby bottles inconspicuously. A fashionable statement on its own, the Birkin rose to mainstream notoriety in the 1990s, when shows like Sex and the City propped the handbag up as a symbol of class and affluence. 

Today, the average Birkin retails between $9,000 USD and $2,000,000 USD and is available in four standard sizes: the Birkin 25, Birkin 30, Birkin 35 and Birkin 40. The latter has gained popularity as a travel accessory (especially amongst men), though its smaller counterpart, the 30, is produced more frequently. The Birkin 35 is the original size worn by Jane Birkin; it’s rare and reserved for high-profile clients of Hermès. 

Since its inception, the Birkin bag has channeled an air of exclusivity as a desirable and enviable object that only a few can obtain. Brand loyalists are known to spend upwards of $100,000 USD on jewelry, home goods, blankets and more to receive the titular invitation to own the bag. High-quality materials and heritage motifs like crocodile skin distinguish Hermès’ most expensive bags. For instance, the Himalayan Birkin Bag is constructed from crocodile skin and features 18-karat gold hardware, with the option to include or exclude diamond embellishments. A custom, diamond-adorned version of the Himalayan Birkin 30 sold for $450,000 USD during a Sotheby auction in 2022. 

The Birkin’s allure as a fashion item has pierced pop culture. Rapper and singer Drake famously admitted to collecting Birkin handbags for his future wife. Cardi B revealed her massive archive on social media, even gifting Megan Thee Stallion an orange Birkin to celebrate the success of “WAP.” In 2019, Gunna flaunted the iconic silhouette in “Baby Birkin”‘s music video starring Jordyn Woods.

Across music and entertainment, the Birkin bag signifies opulence and social cache, but in 2019, artist Jeff Koons reinterpreted the bag through an artistic lens. Acquiring the bags of Sophia Coppola, Marc Jacobs, and others, he repurposed them as standalone artworks, donating the proceeds of each to charity. 

For those who bite the bullet, the Birkin bag has proven to be a worthwhile investment. Forbes reported that Hermès handbags appreciated in value mere months after their initial purchase in the first half of 2023. 

Following a similar vein, Louis Vuitton unveiled an invitation-only bag coined the Millionaire Speedy, designed with a reversed white monogram motif, tan accents, a pavé-set diamond “LV” pendant and yellow-gold hardware. Creative Director Pharrell Williams chooses a lucky few to receive the custom-made handbag every year. 

Since Jane Birkin’s passing in 2023, the Birkin handbag has surged in popularity, remaining a prized fashion item synonymous with luxury, extravagance and social capital.

See some of Hermès’ famous designs in the video above and tune into other Behind the HYPE episodes here. 

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