In addition to this impressive number, a non-Himalayan Birkin broke the record in December for a regular leather bag: a metallic bronze chevre leather Birkin with gold hardware sold for $117,394 at the Christie\s Paris Auction. Considering the bag\s non-exotic craftsmanship, the price is a considerable feat!
An exceptional, matte white Himalaya niloticus crocodile Diamond Birkin 30 with 18k white gold diamond hardware. Photo courtesy: Christie\s
The Birkin\s design is based on a very similar bag, the Haut à Courroies Replica Burberry Handbags. Around 1900, the HAC began to be sold in the retail store attached to the Hermès atelier as a saddle bag and carrier for other riding gear.
The HAC later became popular as a weekender—and is still used today. Its primary differences from the Birkin are that it\s much larger and proportionally taller, with a shorter handbag drop (it has to be carried in the hand).
Although the Birkin is generally seen the as the symbol of Hermès, it\s actually much newer than the Kelly. The Kelly was created in 1935 as the Sac à Dépeches, later renamed in 1956 when Grace Kelly famously carried it to shield her baby bump. It wasn\t until 1984 that the Birkin was created, 49 years later!
So we all know Hermès is famed for its craftsmanshipbut did you know it would take at least two full days to craft just one Birkin? That\s more than a week on a full-time work schedule!
Each Hermès bag is made by a single artisan, who has their own personal set of tools. Given the individualized nature of the process, no two Birkins are identical.
The Birkin receives more tv attention than any other handbag, bar none. If a television show is trying to highlight its characters\ fashionista status, or to address high fashion and exclusivity more broadly, it\s a general rule that the Birkin will make an appearance. Ever since the Birkin appeared in a scene on Sex and the City in 2001, it\s been a pop culture sensation, giving us gems like Rory Gilmore telling her boyfriend in Gilmore Girls, I double super-swear on my Birkin bag.
Okay, we can admit that this one might not be an object fact, or something you didn\t already know. But in PurseBop\s admittedly biased eyes, a list of things to know about the Birkin is simply incomplete without acknowledging the Birkin\s status cheap replica handbags as the Platonic ideal of Holy Grail Bags (HGBs).
While the Holy Grail Bag is subjective and varies from fashionista to fashionista, we believe that given the Birkin\s exclusive status in the fashion world, and general desirability, it\s the Ultimate HGB. Most collectors think of the Birkin as a legendary accomplishment, the crown jewel in their collection—for some, this may be their first Birkin; for others, it may be an extremely rare and hard-to-find exotic Birkin.
Still unconvinced of the Birkin\s HGB status? Just look at it!
8 down8 more to go! Stay tuned for part II of our Birkin facts exclusive, whepre we\ll go in-depth into Birkin territory once again. For now, have you discovered anything you didn\t know about the Birkin previously? Did any of the things on this list come as a surprise to you, or are you already very familiar with the Birkin and its history? Did we miss any facts you might have heard? Let us know below—we can\t wait for your input.