Why are Hermès Birkin bags so expensive? Beloved by Melania Trump, Victoria Beckham and Nita Ambani, the world’s most expensive bag is a US$500,000 Himalaya Birkin

Jul 5 , 2021

The matt white Hermès Himalaya niloticus crocodile diamond Birkin with 18K gold and diamond hardware on display during a preview at Christie’s in Hong Kong in May 2016, identical to another Hermès bag that sold for US$380,000 after intense bidding in May 2017. Photo: AFP Photo

Fashion’s ultimate status symbol was created when actress Jane Birkin, the bag’s namesake, happened to sit next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the brand’s chief executive

Some say the bag is a better investment than gold or the stock market and exclusivity has led to a thriving resale market – but how can you spot a fake?

Hermès Birkin bags are some of the most expensive bags in the world, ranging anywhere from US$9,000 to half a million dollars. The bags embody absolute luxury.

The exclusive accessory is even considered by some to be a better investment than gold or the stock market. And the world’s most expensive bag is an Hermès Himalaya Birkin bag that sold for US$500,000.

So what is it that makes Birkin bags so expensive?

The story of the bag begins with its namesake: Jane Birkin. On a flight from Paris to London, the English actress happened to be seated next to the chief executive of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas.

Jane Birkin. Photo: @janebirkinoff/Instagram

Jane was known for carrying a wicker basket wherever she went and used it for everything from groceries to diapers. When she tried to fit her famous basket in the overhead compartment, the lid came off, spilling the contents everywhere. Jane complained to her seatmate that it was impossible to find a weekend bag she liked. Dumas introduced himself as the head of Hermès, and the pair spent the flight sketching possible handbag designs on the back of an aeroplane sick bag.

A year later, Dumas presented Jane with the Birkin bag, a spacious yet sophisticated leather design perfect for everyday use. The Birkin’s pockets made it highly functional, and the bag sealed to prevent anything from spilling. Hermès makes the bags in France using premium materials like calf skin, alligator skin and even ostrich skin. Each bag is made entirely by hand.

Although Birkins are one of the most exclusive and sought-after bags today, they actually weren’t all that popular when they first launched. It wasn’t until the 90s that the Birkin became one of the “It” bags of the era.

Now they’re the ultimate status symbol. Victoria Beckham reportedly has a collection of over 100 Birkins, estimated to be worth over US$2 million, and Singaporean socialite and entrepreneur Jamie Chua is considered to have the world’s largest Birkin collection with over 200 bags.