We featured the runway preview of the Fall 2009 Hermes Birkin back in March 2009 and now Renee Zellweger is seen carrying one in the signature orange. Admittedly, I prefer the classic Birkin for its “older” classy look and feel. I dun know about you but to me, the one Renee is carrying here looks more like an awkward Birkin-look-alike. Perhaps I will change my take upon seeing one in real life but as of now, I take the classic anytime.
I am visiting Paris in November and thinking of putting my name for a Hermes Birkin. I am now torn between a classic Birkin and the new JPG Birkin. What is your comment? Also, any chance the JPG has a shorter wait-list?
Lisa, US
Hi Lisa
Honestly i did not like the JPG Birkin when i first saw it, mostly due to the shorter but wider body which means less space but it has recently grown on me and frankly speaking, the JPG looks younger and with the many classic Birkins around, I say why not a JPG, if you like it too? The image above is Posh with JPG Birkin in warm grey (not sure, but it looks like etaupe).
As for the wait-list, all i can say is this: If you buy the idea of the wait-list at all, you should know that it is there because of shortage of craftmen to create enough bags to meet the demand, so i believe the list for JPG should not be any shorter. However, when in Paris, visit all of the Hermes stores and shop there and do ask whether they have any unpicked order which could be transferred to you. If you are lucky and like what they happen to have, you could cut short a few years. Nevertheless, make sure you will really like what you get before paying for such a big sum for a bag. Good luck!
Pharrell Williams’ purple croc HAC might be one of the most expensive bags i dun like. There is one thing about being over-the-top glam but being just OVER is another. Did Hermes decide to make the bag just because Williams is an ultra famous and rich hip hop star? I hope not. The bag is more like a HAC-look-alike than a real HAC, except that it is real and must have cost a bomb to commoners. Anyway, if you happen to be hunting for Hermes Birkin 50 in dark blue (shade is similar to the picture i featured above, except that the picture is size 30), there is one available in the Takashimaya Singapore store now. Price? Just SGD17,400. It is considered reasonable without the wait-list. I think someone who had placed the order dropped it. Would you be kind enough to “adopt” it? Believe me, if moolah is not an issue, i will take the dark blue Birkin in much more dignified calf than Williams’ purple croc anytime. Contact Fandi at Hermes Takashimaya at (65)67355228.
PS: Sorry, i was too distracted by another bag that i forgot to take picture of the Birkin 50
It is official that everyone who is anyone owns at least one Hermes Birkin. Marc Jacobs was recently spotted playing with a puppy and carrying a black Birkin (either size 35 or 40) in NYC. There have been questions on why he had not carried a Vuitton or Marc Jacobs bag around instead but who cares? Let the man carries a bag he likes even if it is from a competing brand. Fashion is not always about endorsement, is it? Love the bag, love the jacket and his haircut and all that. Not really into his skirt or kilt, whatever you classify that as. I guess i am still a conservative when it comes to men wearing skirts. How long do you think it took Marc to get his Birkin? One of my aunts hunted it for a few months and got her first in red.
There have been many Hermes Birkins around but one in this yellow color called Soleil is very rare. This is a brand new Hermes Birkin 30, currently available at reseller luxury-shops.com in Zurich, Switzerland. The bag is made of Veau Swift leather which is a very soft and fine grained calf leather so it is perfect to touch and pretty resistant to scratches. This Birkin is up for USD11,607 including of shipping via Fedex. You should be able to order it from Hermes store at below USD9,000 with a few years’ wait-list. The picture here has been touched up and the color looks very bright and rich. The original color is slightly darker but still very nice.
Image is courtesy of luxury-shops.com. Purseholic is not associated in any way with luxury-shops.com
Hermes is one of the most prestigious luxury houses in the world today and one of the oldest leather houses which tradition remains the same today as it was founded in 1837. Hermes bags are also among the most expensive and coveted items. If you wonder why people are willing to pay 5 to 6 digits of US Dollars for a handbag, this video might offer an insight.
How do you update a classic that is second to none in its own league? You make it younger and more fun and different yet pay tributes to its best attributes – for Hermès, that would be the leather. The Birkin Fall 2009 edition is all about the leather minus the hardwares and straps which have been replaced by the emboss of the shape. Do i like it more than the normal Birkins? Maybe not, but it surely strikes conversation.
Images are courtesy of style.com
PS: Sorry for the overdue new post. Falling sick did not help at all. Stay tune for more to come!
