BIRKIN-THE ROLLS ROYCE OF BAGS

What is the worlds most expensive purse? Is it small, big ,central coloured or does it come in all colours and sizes? The BIRKIN bag iconically named after actress Jane Birkin was birthed in the skies on a flight from London to Paris.Jane Mallory Birkin a phenomenal actress born in December 1946 to English actress Judy Campbell and royal lieutenant commander and World War II spy David Birkin. Jane was seated next to Jean Louis Dumas executive chairman of Hermès [1976-2006] and was complaining that she couldn’t find a bag suitable for her needs as a  new mother. Jean being a born creator with keen, eye sketched a spacious rectangular holdall with burnished flap saddle stitching bag with dedicated space for baby bottles.

The Birkin has taken lead in becoming not just a bag but an accessory for most who know they know. It definitely a must have. It comes in a range of eleven hides and skins with the most expensive and desirable bag being the Himalaya Birkin which is considered to be the holy grail of bags.

This ravishing piece is the construction of a work of art, a striking blend of superb design adorned with fabulous materials. Its nile crocodile skin is bleached to create the perfect blend of a smokey grey fading into a crisp pearly white to resemble the snowy peaks of the Himalaya’s with a finishing of white diamond hardware.

HIMALAYA BIRKIN

The Birkin comes in fun sizes and also mega pots ranging from 25cm to 40cm.

BIRKIN EARPOD CASE

Being rectangular the Birkin has been designed to create a geometrical illusion of relief which is deliciously disconcerting when viewed from a  perpendicular angle, creating a shadow effect. This Birkin Shadow plays on trompe-l’œil: Bag of mystery. This was created in 2009 making it the year of the Birkin shadow.

BIRKIN SHADOW

New editions such as the Faubourg and cargo are also popular in the Birkin family.

BIRKIN CARGO

BIRKIN FAUBOURG

Although the bag has been seen strolling around in the streets of the world in the company of Icons likes itself, you cannot walk into Hermès and buy it. Hermès uses a waiting list method were the client places an order and is put on a waiting list. The introduction of the original series of Birkins spawned a collecting phenomenon. Handbag collectors around the world recognised the magnificent craftsmanship behind the Birkin. Consequently, in a resounding response to the appetite of collectors, Hermès began to craft a limited number Birkin bags for top clients.

Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and the Queen B have theirs, the winning title of the most Birkin bags goes to Jamie Chua who owns over 200 Birkin the most expensive being a rare & exceptional, Matte Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 with 18k white gold & diamond hardware  worth $512,591 [sh.56,154,344.05] and Victoria Beckham who own over 100 worth $2million [sh219,100,770]

JAMIE CHUA WITH HER BIRKIN COLLECTION

VICKY B WITH A BIRKIN SHADOW 35

In June 2018, a Himalaya Birkin with 18 carat white gold diamond encrusted lock sold for £162,500 [sh17,801,875.00]. London, becoming the most expensive handbag ever in a European auction. On 12 December, this was broken with  Matte Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 with 18k white gold & diamond hardware which fetched a nice fat £236,750  [sh.35,000,192.34.]

MATTE HIMALAYA NILOTICUS CROCODILE DIAMOND BIRKIN 35

Truely remarkable isnt it? And to think it all started as a baby bag.