Birkin Blog Q&A

My Birkin Blog reader "Iris" wrote: 

Dear Birkin Blog,

Thanks for the wonderful blog. I am about to order my very first Birkin bag. What is the best color for the very first time buyer? Should I go for a safe color like black or brown? Or should I go for a bold color such as pink or orange?

 

Iris

We decided to post a poll for Iris. What do you think? Please go visit our poll on the top right corner of our blog to vote.

Birkin Blog Poll Results | 09.04.05-09.04.12

Have you purchased Birkin Bags on eBay?

We received 14 votes. The Results were:

Yes: 0 votes

No: 14 votes

Birkin Blog Says | Rachel Zoe's Studio/Office

Celebrity | Katie Holmes

Please note the Birkin bag in white above is a fake bag.

Article | How to Know if a Hermes Birkin Bag is Fake | eHow

The Hermes Birkin bag is a status symbol to many. And lots of people purchase them on sites like Ebay, at what they think is a great bargain. Many of these bags are fakes though, whether or not the owner realizes it. Below are tips on how to know if a Hermes Birkin is fake.

Step 1
Hermes Birkin bags are hard to come by, which is why even those that want to purchase a new one, are put onto wait lists. Many used Birkin bags are sold for the retail price, and upwards, due to the fact they are so hard to get by. A new Hermes Birkin bag sells for $6,000, or more (depending on the style and materials used). So if you see a New one being sold for a couple thousand dollars, it's just a "high quality" fake.

Step2
The first physical sign that a Hermes Birkin bag may be fake, is the leather. Hermes is very particular with the quality of leather they use, quite simply they only use the best. If you're unsure about the quality of the leather, it's definitely a fake.

Step 3
Hermes Birkin bags come with a lock and key. Both the lock and key will say Hermes on them, and they will also come with a matching engraved code.

Step 4
Hermes Birkins are embossed with markings, they do not use a metal nameplate inside (which is common with many fakes).

Step 5
All New Birkins will come with the signature orange dust bag, older used bags may come with a tan colored dust bag but they stopped producing those a while ago and are rare.

Step 6
A Hermes Birkin will NEVER come with any paper tags, on ANYTHING.

Men with Birkin | an Unknown Man carrying his Birkin bag outside the Hermes Madison Avenue store

This post is sponsored by 57and5 eBay store

Celebrity | Julia Roberts

Click Here for authentic HERMES Bags

Birkin Blog Says | Protect your Birkin  bag

All Birkin bags come with rain protections. A nice girl should protect your Birkin bag. That is what the rain protections for.

Celebrity | Catherine Zeda-Jones

Photos | Street Fashion

Celebrity | Fergie

Art My Birkins

Celebrity | Sarah Jessica Parker

Article | Birkin Bag | soulcoast.com

Availability
Generally, the price of a Birkin starts at approximately $7500 USD, not including sales taxes, but can reach 5- and sometimes 6-digit prices, particularly when the bag is constructed from exotic animal skins. Allegedly, the waiting list for a Birkin is over two years. In practice, however, many stores have a "call list" and an "order list", both usually consisting of clients who have in one way or another become "regulars" or have formed a relationship with a particular Sales Associate.

Hermès does not sell its handbags online or to online retailers. Authentic Birkin bags are sometimes available on auction websites such as eBay, though often at a very high markup over the retail price. It is also possible to acquire a used Birkin bag at couture-consignment shops. In Plum Sykes' novel Bergdorf Blondes (2004), the character Julie Bergdorf steals a Birkin from her family's store, Bergdorf Goodman, to avoid a three-year wait, although in reality Birkins are only sold by Hermès, are not available (as claimed in the novel) in pink with fur trim, and probably would not require such a long wait for a socialite like her.

Investment
Hermès handbags have been noted for being one of the few brands of handbag to either hold or increase in value with time,giving them the distinction of being considered by some as "investment quality" products. Author Michael Tonello in his book, Bringing Home The Birkin, published by William Morrow in 2008, shares his experiences buying and selling the Birkin Bag on eBay. He recounts how he acquired Birkin Bags in Spain and France and became a powerhouse eBay seller until Hermes refused to sell him anymore Birkins. The book provides an insiders peek at the mystique of this exclusive accessory.

Celebrity | Heidi Montag

Birkin Blog Says | My New Birkin Bag | Rose Dragée

I am one of the luckiest people in the world. Last week, my SA from HERMES called me if I was interested in a 30 cm "Rose Dragée" Birkin. I did not know what "Rose dragée" meant. Also, 30 cm is not my size, so I said I was not interested. As soon as I hung up the phone, I searched it online. Then immediately I called HERMES back and said I would like to have it.

When they opened the box, the glow of the bag lightened the room. The bag looks like a light pink conch pearl. It is so smooth and glowing with a pink shine. It is not a color HERMES usually makes. It is just beautiful. 

People said money can't buy happiness. Those who have no clue what they were talking about.

TV | The Real Housewives of New York City | Bravo

Seen On: Bethenny
Episode: 6 Season 2: Runway Run-In
Airdate: Mar 24, 2009

Bethenny carried the Hermes 35cm Birkin Bag in blue

Celebrity | Rachel Zoe, Marc Jacobs

Birkin Blog Asks | Will you do this to your Birkin Bag?

Birkin Blog Poll Results | 09.03.28-09.04.04

What are the best accessories to highlight your Birkin bag? (Multiple Answers)

We received 1 votes. The Results were:

High Heels: 6 votes

Watches: 1 vote

Earrings: 2 votes

Necklaces: 0 vote

Suits: 3 votes

Sunglasses: 4 votes

Scarves: 4 votes

Men with Birkin | Bryan Boy

Celebrity | Samantha Ronson

Article | gretchen barreto's hermes birkin bag | 4.bp.blogspot.com

This is the third time in SNN or Showbiz News Ngayon that they're featuring a famous celebrity's very expensive bag. First was Ruffa Mae Quinto and then followed by Sharon Cuneta. Now it's Ms. Gretchen Barreto!

She was shown trying to empty her royal blue Hermes Birkin Bag, letting other people see what's inside her purse and even in her cellphone. She did not give a price for her bag. She said, she's too shy to do that. Instead, she revealed buying prepaid load, carrying some extra undies, etc.

Celebrity | Victoria Beckham

Celebrity | Kate Moss

TV | Sex and the City

Celebrity | Maggie Chung

Article | Jetsetters Capsule Collection | dopecouture.com

Out good friends over at DOPE recently launched their “Jetsetters Capsule Collection” which re-styles the famous, futuristic family with a slew of high-end designs and accessories. Dope merges the classic imagery of the characters we all grew up watching with hints of sophistication like the Margiela Sunglasses and the Hermes Birkin Bag.

Celebrity | Kelly Osborne 

Birkin Blog Says | Victoria's New Look | Birkin+Flip Flops

Take My Birkin for a ride

Celebrity | Celine Dion

Birkin Blog Says | Congratulations Marc!

Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone are reported to be engaged. Nice Birkin Bag Marc!

Article | Hilary Duff black Hermes Birkin bag | shoppingandinfo.com

Hilary Duff was seen this past week shopping at Whole Foods and then paying a meter with her new black Hermes Birkin bag. I think the look is a little bit too old for her.

It is interesting when I see Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham with their various colors and sizes of their Hermes Birkins I think - ok...it makes sense they have so much money they don't know what to do with it. But, someone young like Hilary Duff with a Hermes Birkin just does not fit. I know she can afford the $8,000 bag, but does she really need that bag for status?

The ladies in Palm Beach carry it for status...with their $2,000 cashmere pants from Trillion ala Madoff... and people who are ultra wealthy like Victoria Beckham carry it because they can have 1 in every color, but Hilary Duff with her 1st Hermes Birkin at the age of 20 something... it just seems so odd looking. I like her with a Chanel Jumbo Caviar that seems cooler- more trendy even...This is not her best bag.

Celebrity | Naomi Campbell

Article | Trompe L’Oeil Birkin: Hermes A/W 200 | closettherapyblog.com

So I completely missed NY Fashion Week but no matter, I’ll cover it after the majors, Paris Fashion Week. In today’s Hermes A/W 2009 show, Gaultier debuts what he’s dubbed as the “Trompe L’Oeil Birkin”… a simplified Birkin without the flap.

This immediately interested me as this is how I normally carry my birkin — with the flap tucked into the bag for easy access to the main pocket. It seems to be what these new Birkins look like, although I can’t tell yet from WWD’s images if he’s made any changes to the wrap-around strap and hardware in the front. Can’t wait to see though!

Celebrity | Sharon Stone

Birkin Blog Poll Results | 09.03.18-09.03.25

Does economy recession change your mind about getting a Birkin bag?

We have received 22 votes. The Results were:

Yes: 6 votes

No: 15 votes

Haven't decided yet: 1 vote

Article | Hermes Shoulder Birkin | purseblog.com

Hermes’ new designer Jean Paul Gaultier on the helm has redesigned the infamous ‘Birkin’ bag for spring/summer ‘05. This is no small innovation, given that the original is in such demand that there is a wait to get on the waiting list. But JPG’s changes work — now you can actually get the bag over your shoulder.
Due to its shortened height, the bag seems as long as an eighteen wheeler semi! Like Luella with her Baby Gisele, the logic step to an already successful handbag was to adding a shoulder design and appeal to a wider audience. Among the large variety of carry-alls that we’ve seen, this new shoulder Birkin sure is in contention for the throne. So damned appealing!
As shown on the right in the new “pumpkin orange” shade, the bag will go for £4,000 (~$7,500). Stores around the globe hesitated with the large orders for the bag, unsure about how the new low profile would appeal to the customer base. In addition, a limited production is running on these treasures as well. Hence, the new Hermes Shoulder Birkins are even more scarce than the legendary regular Birkins.
However, since Jean Paul’s line had been intro’ed last fall, US sales for Hermes went through the roof. Coincidence? Me thinks not.

Celebrity | Kelly Rutherford