The Birkin bag from Hermès is one of the most famous and coveted luxury handbags in the world.
It is also one of the most expensive bags, with some models selling for more than $150,000. While the Birkin is often viewed as a status symbol, the timeless design and craftsmanship have made the bag a classic that will stay in style for years to come.
In 1984, Jean-Louis Dumas, CEO of Hermès, sat next to actress Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. After watching Birkin struggle to fit her belongings into her straw bag, Dumas offered to create a stylish and functional bag. The result was the legendary Hermès Birkin bag, which has become an international symbol of luxury and sophistication.
The Birkin bag is available in different sizes, from the mini Birkin to the maxi Birkin, and in different colors and leathers. The most expensive Birkin bags are made from exotic leathers such as crocodile, ostrich and lizard. These luxurious leathers can add thousands of dollars to the price of the bag, with some models selling for more than $150,000.
Hermès Birkin bags are handmade in France by skilled artisans and are made from the highest quality materials. The bags are carefully crafted with great attention to detail, resulting in a beautiful and durable product. The bags also feature a unique closure system that helps keep the contents of the bag secure.
The Birkin bag is a timeless classic coveted by celebrities, fashionistas and everyday women. The bag symbolizes power and success and has become a status symbol for the wealthy and elite. Despite the hefty price tag, the Birkin’s timeless design and quality craftsmanship make it a worthwhile investment for those who can afford it.
The most expensive Birkin bags are luxurious and elegant accessories that make a statement. Whether you’re looking for a classic piece to add to your wardrobe or a gift for someone special, the Hermès Birkin bag is sure to impress.
Below are some of the most expensive Birkin bags:
Metallic Birkin
Cost: $135,000
In 2005, Hermès made a very limited range of metallic Birkin bags available. The iconic window displays that Lela Menchari produced for the Hermès original shop in Paris served as inspiration for the metallic Birkin, available in either silver or bronze.
Metallic Birkins, on the other hand, were made from standard chèvre goatskin, unlike most of the other Birkins on this list, which are made from exotic leathers. However, they were given a metallic tint during the dyeing process, a finish not typical of a Birkin bag.
Omber Birkin
Cost: $137,500
Lizard skin bags are very hard to come by as lizards are often quite small animals with limited skin available for harvesting. So it should come as no surprise that this ombré Birkin, made from lizard skin, is very expensive and almost hard to find.
Over the years, a handful of these lizard ombré Birkin handbags have become available for purchase, and the highest price ever paid for one of these bags is $137,500. The inside of this ombré Birkin is lined in parchemin chevre and has a zipped pocket with a Hermès-engraved drawstring.
Bleu Marine Diamond Birkin
Cost: $122,300
2011 was memorable for auction house Christie’s as many Birkin bags fetched six figures at auction. This year’s auction raised a total of $122,300 for this Bleu Marine Diamond Birkin.
The bag was made of porous crocodile material dyed a shade of blue so dark it was practically opaque. The hardware of the Bleu Marine Diamond Birkin is crafted from 18k white gold and white diamonds, similar to the hardware of all other Diamond Birkins.
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Fuchsia Birkin
Cost: $222,000
Our fuchsia Birkin used to hold the record as the world’s most expensive handbag, similar to a few Birkin bags included in this list. At a Christie’s Hong Kong auction in 2011, it was purchased for a total of $222,000. The genuine crocodile leather used in the construction of the Fuchsia Birkin has been dyed a vibrant splash of fuchsia pink. In addition, the hardware of the handbag was made of 18k white gold and decorated with brilliant white diamonds.
Bag Birkin Faubourg
Cost: $240,000
In 2019, Hermès introduced the Sac Birkin Faubourg, a Birkin with a unique design that pays tribute to the Hermès boutique on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in France. The Sac Birkin Faubourg has three openings: an orange awning, a tote bag clochette, a matte reptile leather top flap and crocodile leather handles.
In addition, this bag comes with a matching shoulder strap. It was available in two different shades, a dark brown and a dark blue. In addition, the Sac Birkin Faubourg with a height of only 20 centimeters is one of the most compact Birkin bags there is.
Diamond Crocodile Birkin
Cost: $191,000 to $261,000
Diamond Crocodile Birkin bags are coveted status symbols, despite the high price tag that comes with them. Diamond Crocodile Birkin handbag prices can range from $191,000 to $261,000, according to Sotheby’s.
Crocodile leather, available in different colors, is always used to make these bags. The Diamond Crocodile Birkin’s hardware is 18k white gold and white diamonds, as the bag’s name suggests. Diamond Crocodile Birkin bags are notoriously hard to come by on the secondary market as they are often only produced in limited numbers.
Exceptional collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin
Cost: $299,000
In 2011, this Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin set a new record for the most expensive handbag ever sold when it sold for $203,150. It went on to make history.
A large number of the Birkins on this list, as well as handbags from other premium companies, have later surpassed this record. A few years ago, the Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H porosus Crocodile Birkin sold for nearly $300,000.
Diamond Himalayan Birkin
Cost: $401,000
One of the most desirable varieties of Birkin bags is the standard Himalayan Birkin, which is crafted from high-quality crocodile leather. This Birkin bag is also one of the most expensive. It gets even more appealing when you accessorize the Himalaya Birkin with some white diamonds and gold hardware.
A one-of-a-kind Diamond Himalaya Birkin auctioned by Christie’s in 2017 was sold for around US$401,000. Many people who know bags believe that a Diamond Himalaya Birkin could easily fetch well over half a million dollars on the market right now.
Birkin bag by Ginza Tanaka
Cost: $1.9 million
Although not much is known about these bags, the Birkin Bag, designed by Ginza Tanaka, is regularly ranked as the second most expensive Hermès bag of all time, regardless of design. No authorized sources provide the specifications of the bag, and the prices quoted by different websites are inconsistent. The final sale of the Ginza Tanaka Birkin was paid for either $1.4 million or $1.9 million. Only one of these unique bags was produced and opened to the public in 2008.
The purse is made of platinum and is set with more than 2,000 white diamonds. On the front of the Ginza Tanaka, Birkin Bag is a large diamond weighing 8 carats that can be removed, turned into a pin or worn as a brooch.
The Sac Bijou Birkin
Cost: $2 million
When it was launched in 2012, the Sac Bijou Birkin cost $2 million, making it the most expensive Birkin bag in the brand’s history. This Birkin was part of a series created by Pierre Hardy, Hermès jewelry design director. The collection was quantitatively very limited. Because it’s meant to be worn instead of a bracelet, the Sac Bijou is much more compact than traditional Birkin bags.
Conclusion
The most expensive Birkin bags are truly luxurious statement pieces that are coveted and treasured by many. These bags are incredibly expensive, ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the type, size, and material. The price of these bags reflects the craftsmanship and quality that goes into the manufacture of each Birkin bag. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in these bags and are a testament to why they are sought after by collectors and fashion connoisseurs.
