The Birkin bag is more than just a luxury accessory, and it’s a lot more than simply a premium and high-quality handbag. In fact, we would go so far as to say that the Hermès Birkin is one of the most recognisable signs of prestige and status in the world of luxury goods – which is where this blog comes in.
With a bag as instantly recognisable and as highly sought after as the Hermès Birkin, how can buyers ever hope to find a Birkin of their own to take home? And, more than that, what tips do we have for aspiring collectors who want to join the likes of the rich and famous in owning their own collection of premium Birkin bags?
Before all that, let’s consider the history of the Birkin bag and what makes it so coveted.
The History of the Birkin Bag
The death of actress Jane Birkin in 2023 reignited interest in the history of the Birkin, with publications all over the world retelling and sharing the story of how a chance encounter led to the design and launch of one of the most successful bags ever made.
The Birkin bag was inspired by Jane Birkin, who spent a plane ride next to the CEO and Chief Creative Designer of Hermès at the time – Jean-Louis Dumas. Birkin complained to Dumas that she found it increasingly difficult to carry everything she needed as a young mother, and wished for a bag with sufficient space inside and a multitude of pockets, while also retaining a sense of style. Dumas took this brief back to the Hermès team, and they got to work.
The release of the Birkin bag in 1984 was quickly met with incredible demand, with the bags now recognised as a symbol of both status and incredible wealth. But why are these bags so popular, and what makes them such a good investment for aspiring collectors?
Why Is the Hermès Birkin So Popular and Highly Sought After?
As is the case for most popular and highly coveted luxury goods, there are a number of features that contribute towards the market status of Birkin bags. However, one thing that elevates Birkin bags above many other luxury items is the undeniable interest in Birkin bags on the red carpet, among A-listers, and on both the big and small screens. There are countless examples of Birkin bags being mentioned and referenced by famous faces, more than once in Sex and the City (which is famous for its fashion), as well as in countless songs, TV episodes, and on the red carpet itself.
Other factors that influence the value of Hermès Birkin bags include the limited release of each new collection, and the unrivalled quality of each and every bag produced. Hermès famously uses only the finest materials and leathers in the creation of its bags, including a selection of exotic materials that have been linked with the most expensive bags ever made and sold – for example, the Hermès Birkin Himalaya. It is believed that the artisan producers of Hermès Birkin bags have to go through five years of training before they are able to produce and make a Birkin bag; a fact that only serves to enhance the incredible craftsmanship and the sought-after, exclusive status of each and every bag that’s made.
But, with something so exclusive and sought after, one overriding question remains. How and where can aspiring collectors and investment buyers get their own Birkin bag?
Where to Buy an Hermès Birkin Bag
With such prestige and status surrounding the release of every new Birkin bag, it follows that any brand-new model sold by the brand is snapped up in record time by those on waitlists and with connections in high places.
As such, for those who want to buy a Birkin, the best option is to find a reputable reseller that buys and sells luxury goods, like Hermès bags. With the rise in counterfeit goods such a prominent challenge facing the luxury market, it is more important than ever to secure the proper authentication certification before purchasing any bag of high status, like a Birkin – with fake goods becoming increasingly convincing and difficult to spot.
That’s why selecting a trustworthy reseller is so important.
Tips on Becoming an Hermès Birkin Bag Collector
Becoming a collector is all about taking opportunities when they come and acting fast on Hermès Birkin bags as and when they become available. With both auctions and secondary markets rife with luxury goods that have been bought and then sold on by investment buyers, the best advice we can give you is to identify a reseller that you trust, and keep in the loop about new stock that they have and are ready to sell.
With Birkin bags so prominent in the investment market, both vintage and newer model bags are regularly fetching double their value and more at auction and across the reseller market. But, in order to benefit from this incredible return on investment, you need to follow a few Birkin buyer rules.
The first is to keep your bag in pristine condition. Box-fresh Birkin bags sell for the most money, and so, if you want to become an investment collector who regularly sells their bags on for more than the purchase price, you need to keep them in the best possible condition. This also means holding on to all receipts and evidence of your purchase, alongside the authentication certificates and all original packaging.
Finally, becoming a Birkin collector means recognising the value of the brand’s history as well as its most modern and innovative designs – encompassing both old and new models as part of your collection. Some of the most impressive collections that we have ever come across boast a range of classic and traditional Birkin bags, as well as the more unique and exclusive models – following the market and selling specific pieces as and when the market falls in your favour.
For more information on becoming a Birkin bag collector, or for advice on sourcing and selecting your very first Birkin bag, our Love Luxury team have bases in both London and Dubai. Come and visit us today!
