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Even those who don’t rank themselves among fashion enthusiasts most likely have heard about Hermès Birkin — one of the most coveted handbags of the last decades. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic design, so we decided to dive into the history and the roots of the massive Birkin obsession.
The Birkin bag owes its origin to the long arm of coincidence.
In 1984, Jean-Louis Dumas, then Executive Chairman of Hermès, happened to sit next to a British actress and singer Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. While chatting with a fellow traveller, she shared her struggles of being unable to find a handbag matching her lifestyle and even sketched a roomy rectangular holdall. Dumas decided to bring it to life, and soon, the model, named after the person who inspired it, was put into handcrafted production by skilled artisans.
The original design of the Birkin bag has subtly transformed over the years, while the concept changed dramatically.
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In the early stages, the Birkin was appreciated mainly for its practicality and signature Hermès craftsmanship. Looking at archive pictures, you see that Jane Birkin treated her bag like a hard-working horse, filling it to the brim with all sorts of things and decorating it with numerous stickers and charms.
Starting from the 1990s the tables have turned. From celebrities making public appearances carrying the Birkin to the famous “It’s not a bag. It’s a Birkin” quote from “Sex and the City”, the perception switched from a daily to-go accessory to more than just a bag. Due to its limited production and brand policy, the Birkin became a statement, a status symbol, a collector’s item, and even a cherished investment piece with a high interest in the resale market.
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But let’s look behind the social aspects and see what makes the Birkin a good bag.
Timeless design
Despite being released 40 years ago, the Birkin bag still keeps on working well for modern wardrobes thanks to its versatile geometrical silhouette, suitable for various occasions.
Exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality materials
Each Birkin bag is handcrafted by a single artisan using premium leather and hardware, ensuring precise attention to detail and superior quality.
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Functionality
Even though the Birkin comes in different sizes and materials, sometimes emerging into a shoulder or jewelry bag, the classical interpretations are still very practical and spacious to fit all your essentials. As long as you use it according to its intended purpose instead of fussing over it, of course.
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Customisation
Once you reach the point where you can put your hands on the sacred Birkin, Hermès would be happy to make it special.
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Sentimental feeling
People love stories, and the Birkin bag has a lot of them to tell (we are not just talking about Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas’s encounter). One owner built up an enormous purchase history to get the bag of their dreams, while another inherited it from their grandma or has been hunting in vintage stores all around the world. And the best part is that you can have your own adventure.
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