Beauty & Fashion Tips - Rags & Rouges Style Tips

I have always been in awe of the ellusive Birkin. And what fashionista hasn’t? In all honesty, this is not even the prettiest handbag I have ever seen, yet if I were ever given the opportunity to own an authentic piece, I wouldn’t think twice. Why? Because just like my Louis Vuitton that I barely use, or my bone handled Gucci that has yet to leave my closet, superior fashion is a work of art to me. And just like many collect fine Monet’s, I collect, when I can, the finest fashion because it is awe inspiring to me. And the Birkin is no exception. But the Birkin rises above almost any other iconic fashion symbol, and I have always wondered why. Why is there a two year waiting list and a price tag higher than the average compact car? My curiosity got the better of me so I did some exploring….and I bring it to you in a series of notes on why the Birkin is the Birkin. What is it about THIS bag that, even after twenty years it is still the holy grail of the handbag?

The Birkin is in our society today as an iconic symbol of both wealth and style, and the two elements seem to coincide. The most stylish ladies of Hollywood have one, and in fact, most have several. So where has this come from? Well, as we all know, it all starts with Hermes.

Hermes is a French company that was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes. The company was originally a leather goods company that made saddles, and has grown to become the leading producer in ready to wear fashion, fragrance, luggage, jewelery, scarves, and naturally, handbags. The Hermes family still controls the company, not something you see every day in today’s big fashion houses. And they are committed to ensuring the brand stays exclusive in world that functions around mass production. It is not simply the bag that is exclusive, it is all that Hermes has to offer.

For example, a beach towel in standard cotton with the Hermes label can retail for ‘as little’ as $600 (if you’re lucky). The Hermes scarf, almost as exclusive as the Hermes bag, for thousands. And the starter Birkin, the low low price of $9000.

But the true Hermes phenomenon started with the Hermes scarf. Interestingly enough, the Hermes scarf now only holds 12% of the company’s business. However, even today, wearing an Hermes scarf is a signature fashion statement in and of itself. It will never go out of style. The modern Hermes scarf is woven from the silk from 250 mulberry moth cocoons and are handprinted using silk screens with hand stitched hems. Scarves have been produced much longer than the Birkin bag, and are still as coveted as anything else in the Hermes line. The starting price on a scarf? $1995.00 USD. And it is this longevity, this quality of craftsmanship, that is what makes the Hermes name so exclusive today.

The Hermes family is committed to excellence in a world where mass production is making stale the artistic ingenuity of fashion. And it is this very commitment that upholds the allusiveness of the Birkin bag we all know and love. Now that we know WHY the Birkin is so exclusive and elite, stay tuned to hear more about how it allllll started…..