I'm baaaaack! Sorry for the hiatus. I know 3 days is like 3 years in the blogosphere, but I've been really busy at work lately. Let's dive right in to a heated topic that's been circulating in the handbag world. A couple of weeks ago, Senora Cartera rightfully reprimanded Lady Gaga for writing "I Love Little Monsters" in Japanese on her white Hermés Birkin bag. Then I spotted the recently released from prison rapper, T.I.'s fiancé Tiny, rocking a Birkin with Kool-aid red hair and distressed destroyed denim jeans. Don't get me wrong. I love Gaga and The Tiny and Toya Show is one of my weekly obsessions, but do we really want them wearing Birkins? The Birkin used to be a bag that only truly bag poor individuals were even aware of. Do these nouveau riche young women even understand and appreciate the hours of handmade craftsmanship that goes into each and every Hermés bag? In this economy, I'm sure that Hermés is thrilled with the fact that they can still sell handbags that range in price from $6500 to $120,000, but have they considered the future ramifications? Will average people like myself and the majority of my readers still want to save for years and join waiting lists, just to get their hands on the same red crocodile Birkin that Paris Hilton can pick up from Portero.com
today for 65K? I know my answer to that question, but I want to hear yours. Do you still covet the Hermés Birkin, now that it's less exclusive?
18 comments:
NO! I'm over the Birkin. They are everywhere and when everyone from a 16 year old starlet to a grand dame in carrying one, they are too ubiquitous to be chic.
Conspicuous consumption at its worst!
IMHO
That would be "is" rather than "in".
I would love to have one but for me the only right way to carry it is the way how Victoria Beckham does:)
Nuheila
Um no. The Birkin bags went out of style with me when I learned that they breed crocodile, and alligators just to make these bags. So over cruelty forever ago.
you know they stopped the waiting list - now anybody with the money can buy it.
Tarvor - That article in NY Mag about Hermés no longer having waiting lists was completely fallacious. The protocol hasn't changed at all. If you want a 35cm black leather Birkin, you might luck out and find one in stock. However, you'll still have to wait for years if you're looking for a rare color, skin, hardware combination.
Michael, I am really glad you posted this because I commented on it in another blog that features celebrities and their bags (and I use the word "celebrity" lightly) because it was mainly about reality stars and the like and the emergence of many of them carrying Birkins. Here was my comment exactly: "It is very interesting that the majority of what I would consider Hollywood’s class acts and true talent are never photographed with Birkins and I would venture to say because they don’t even have one (or want one). With the likes of Kardashian and Heidi Spencer (need I say more) and every other wannabe, famous-for-nothing type carrying them, Hermes can’t be all that pleased. Unless that is, Hermes is just as classless and only cares about making a buck. I really think the brand has been cheapened and tarnished for this reason."
Of course there are class acts like VB, Catherine Zeta-Jones, etc... that carry their Birkins, but I just think the whole bag is over-hyped. Just wait, pretty soon even Snookie will be carrying one...
Ugh. New money AND people of color? Sorry, but Hermes is dead to me.
LOL Gail! If Snookie gets anywhere near a Birkin, I'm done with Hermés. As of right now, I still want the black lizard Medor clutch, but the thrill is definitely gone!
Personally, I still very much covet the Birkin bag regardless of how less exclusive it may have become. I still dream of having my own one day and lord help me, I shall own one before I die.
www.thestarvingstylist.com
sooo.. glad you're back!
Birkins are boring. I'd get the evelyne or a Lindy.
Such a juicy discussion, Michael. While the Birkin's exclusivity has been a major draw for bag lovers over the years, I firmly believe that the woman makes the bag, not vice versa. This is the reason why Victoria Beckham can own a hundred of them and her doing so does nothing to cheapen the bag's mystic. Someone like Snooki, on the other hand (bless her little heart), would unfortunately achieve just that in a split second. Another example... Olivia Palermo can carry a Birkin and she looks sophisticated and effortlessly chic. Heidi Montag does it, and she comes across as tacky and obvious. Again, the woman makes the bag. Birkins can't make you classy no matter how well they're made. This is why I critized Lady GaGa for what she did. It was a stunt at the expense of a work of art that someone spent countless hours creating. She showed no respect or regard for that which she paid good money for. That speaks more about her character than her music does. It's unfortunate she made such a foolish and childish decision.
I've always been more of a Kelly girl (and the black lizard Kelly is my holy grail bag), so you could say I'm over the Birkin.
Can i just say one of the comments from an anonymous poster referring to "people of color" reaks of racism and really has no place in this discussion. A person's race does not determine whether or not they should own a designer bag. Please!!! I hope this person cleans his/her brain up because their stupid is seaping out at an alarming rate.
Thanks for the topic, Michael. It's always good to mix things up a bit.
I'll always covet a Birkin :) (Well... probably. Unless Hermes just does something completely insane, but they're such a classic brand.)
Your analysis is spot on Dania! The woman definitely makes the bag. I vacillated as to whether or not I should delete that racist comment and I'm glad I didn't because she and anyone who agrees with her viewpoint needed to hear your response.
P.S. I love the fact that we're both obsessed with black lizard skin!
I love the classics and would love to own just one of these bag. Even to carry it around for the day and see what it would feel like. I just read the ceo of Hermes passed away.
The Birkin lost its appeal to me the day that Victoria Beckham wore the pink dress pink Birkin combo. I only carry Kellys now.
I forgot about that Anon, but you're absolutely right! She looked like an Upper East Side Barbie.
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