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If you’ve been following PurseBop recently, you probably caught our Birkin facts exclusive. (If you didn’t, read it here!) As we promised in that post, we’re excited to finally bring you Part II of the series. We’ve read all the articles, culled from the archives, and had personal correspondence with fashionista friends—no stone has been left unturned. You didn’t think Birkin trivia could be summed up in only eight facts, did you?
Keep scrolling to discover more important tidbits of info—many of which we think will be brand new to you—on everyone’s favorite Holy Grail Bag. After all, as Birkin experts, it is our duty to know everything there is to know about the Hermès beauty, isn’t it?
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1. Around 200,000 Birkins exist in the world today
Jérôme Lalande, an antique dealer who specializes in leather goods, estimated in 2015 that there are about 200,000 Birkins in circulation in the world, according to the BBC. Although it’s hard to determine the exact number, Lalande, a longtime Hermès collaborator who has also worked extensively in the second-hand market, is probably the best source we have for such a guess.
200,000 may seem like a lot—but with the Birkin’s sky-high demand, there’s certainly no risk of oversaturation anytime soon.
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2. It's the most written about handbag in history
It’s no secret that the Birkin regularly catches the attention of such esteemed publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, Fortune, and The Guardian. As a fixture of the fashion and financial world, the Birkin is a cultural and economic force, documented by journalists with great frequency.
But did you know there have been entire books inspired by our favorite Hermès bag? In 2009, Michael Tonello wrote Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World’s Most Coveted Handbag, which was met with considerable success. And just a few years ago, Wednesday Martin came out with Primates of Park Avenue: A Memoir. Martin’s novel devotes nearly thirty pages to her pursuit of what she calls the “powerful talismanic object with nearly magical and mesmerizing powers.”
Have you read either of these books, or come across any recent writings on the Birkin in any major publications?
@pursebop’s Birkin braves the snow
3. The Birkin is a great investment
The Birkin’s status as a solid investment has been exceptionally well documented. Even though the Birkin’s steep price tag can seem intimidating, it’s always reassuring the keep in mind the economist-assured fact that a Birkin is one of the smartest investments you can make! Gold and the S&P 500, step aside. The value of the Birkin has never decreased, even in economically troubling times.
Read more on Birkins and investing:
@kugzz
4. It wasn't that popular until the late 90s!
When “It Bags” were really beginning to gain traction in the mid 90s, so too did the queen of the It Bags. In fact, the Birkin wasn’t even that popular before then, though it was well-respected from its inception in 1984.
“It’s like the Rolex watch, we don’t know exactly why it became just so popular,” leather goods expert Jérome Lalande told The Telegraph. “I think when people started to be interested in buying Birkin bags, Hermes limited the production which increased the demand even more.” Hermès, it seems, always knew it had created something special.
Read more on It Bags:
@pursebop’s Ghillies Birkin explores chicago
5. Jane Birkin receives royalties on her namesake bag each year
Before, Jane Birkin accepted a free Birkin each year in exchange for Hermès’ use of her name. Now, she receives royalties, whereby Hermès donates money annually to a charity of her choice. In 2012, this amount was £30,000.
Read more on Jane Birkin
Photo courtesy: Luke Leitch
6. Clint Eastwood's daughter once burned a crocodile Birkin
Don’t worry, we’ve spared you the pictures of this distressing event. A few years ago, Francesca Eastwood, daughter of classic Hollywood royalty, burned a Birkin with her photographer boyfriend and provocateur Tyler Shields.
At first, Eastwood was reluctant and argued with Shields on her reality TV show Mrs. Eastwood & Company. Then she caved, and the pair set one of our beloved Birkins on fire and filmed and photographed it—all in the name of art.
It was a $100,000 red crocodile Birkin. As you can imagine, fury from fashionistas and tabloids alike followed. Do you remember the event? And what’s your take on it being labelled “art”?
Photo courtesy: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
7. Drake collects Birkins for his future wife
Ladies, did your heart just flutter a little?
Drake recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s been stocking up over the years for “the woman I end up with.”
“My mom’s best friend collects them and when I was young, I sort of started to understand the value in them,” he added. “And there’s very few things in this world, tangible things anyway, that hold their value and sort of appreciate as the years go on,”
Wise words, Drake. We’re dying to know just how many Bs he has, and whether any exotics make up the collection…
Photo courtesy: The Pool / Getty Images
8. Celebrities from all walks of life—not just the Kardashians—have Birkin fever
Though it appears that the Kardashians brought Birkins to a mass audience—though we also have Sex and the City to thank for that!—the bags appeal to a wide array of public figures. From businesswomen to models, actresses, pop stars, politicians’ wives, and European royalty, the Birkin reigns supreme.
Celebrities’ Birkins have long been a subject of public fascination—and discontent. Let’s not forget the controversy of Martha Stewart carrying her brown Birkin to court back in 2004, or the recent uproar over Louise Linton, the U.S. Treasury Secretary’s wife, showing off her cream Birkin on Instagram, after which she issued a formal apology.
Let’s take a look at some notable names (and their trust Hermès companions)!
Read more on celebrities and their Birkins:
Martha Stewart
Sofia Vergara
Mary, Princess of Denmark
Jennifer Lopez
Louise Linton
Miranda Kerr
Lady Gaga
Alessandra Ambrosio
Victoria Beckham
Gwyneth Paltrow
So Birkin fam, what do you think? Has our list shed light on new aspects of the bag for you? And most importantly: is there anything at all we may have missed? You never know, if we keep uncovering trivia, we just might have to do yet another follow-up post…
Read related articles below:
8 Things You Didn’t Know About the Birkin
The Hermès Birkin Encyclopedia
8 Things You Didn’t Know About the Birkin
Hermes Bag Size Encyclopedia
Hermes Birkin Size Comparison
The Hermes Birkin – The Ultimate Holy Grail Bag
Love, PurseBop
XO
Updated: March 18th, 2018
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