The Story Behind the Birkin Bag

The Birkin bag is an exclusive, handmade purse created by the coveted brand, Hermes. It serves as a status symbol of wealth due to its high price points and elusiveness to the public. The prices range from $9,000 to $150,000, depending upon their materials and the rarity. The bag is released in limited quantities, which in turn creates an unintended exclusivity.

The Birkin bag came into existence after Hermes chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. She placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment, where the content tumbled to the floor. She then explained to Dumas how difficult it was for her to find a leather weekend bag she liked. The iconic brand was created in 1984, based off of a 1892 design.

The bag has greatly evolved since its first thought on the flight between Paris and London. The Birkin bag is now one of the most recognizable bags in the fashion industry — and in public. It is a highly coveted bag and for a while it had a waiting list of up to six years — the longest wait for any bag in history.

Text: Quinn McBee
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Menswear: Hermès spring 2011

Designer Véronique Nichanian showcased a very white show with her mens collection for Hermès this past week in Milan. Most of the models were wearing white pants and blazers, giving a very light and airy forecast for spring 2011. Good choice, who doesn't like a man in white? I've always been a fan of white pants on a guy in spring/summer, classy!

This photo to the left shows exactly how to bring in a dark color in a pretty much white and neutral color scheme. People always second guess themselves when adding a dark color to a white ensemble, but it isn't always a "fashion fo paw". This jacket works just fine, the hint of beige seen through the jacket definitely helps tie it all in. 

This season, Nichanian introduces hybrid clothing. What is hybrid clothing you ask? Well, lets say this, a shirt with a blouson back, perhaps a diagonal zip closing, or a hood. There were the same kind of relaxed notch lapels on the double-breasted jackets. These little details you'll see throughout this collection. The added "something" definitely brings Hermès from the suiting and being extremely well dressed, to being all of that, but in a relaxed sort of way. After all, wouldn't you want to be relaxed during the warm weather of spring/summer?

Photo: Monica Feudi