The Hermès Birkin bag surpassed the definition of "accessory" long ago. "Fashion legend" is more accurate. It has its own mythical origin story involving a chance meeting between French actress Jane Birkin and Hermès executive chairman Jean-Louis Dumas and an incredibly exclusive selection process that's lasted since its 1984 release. (You have to be invited to buy one.) Celebrities' collections of rare Birkin bags, from Jennifer Lopez's Himalayan to Victoria Beckham's $82,500 rendition, are the subjects of endless fascination and envy. This year, as a bag charm trend inspired by Birkin, the person, has taken off, it even earned its own verb: to "Birkin-ify," or to make a bag look well-loved and worn-in with charms, silk scarves, and intentional distressing.
Since one cannot simply walk into the Hermès flagship on Madison Avenue and purchase a Birkin bag—even if they have between $15,000 and $20,000 burning a hole in the pocket of their Loro Piana cashmere sweatpants—fashion fans have to resort to other means. Some are willing to splurge on "superfakes," or very convincing dupes. Others who want the real deal dip into the world of resale—where even used Birkin bags with noticeable signs of wear are now regularly fetching five-figure prices.
