In many ways, Birkins are like works of art.
The bags are made from start to finish by a single craftsman, who trains for years in order to qualify to produce them. Once each bag is finished, it is stamped by the craftsman who made it. Should someone ever send their bag back to Hermès to be serviced, it will return to its original craftsman.
“It is like an artist stamping or signing a piece,” said Donovan. “He is kind of marking that he has made this wearable work of art.”
Christie’s says that the market for collectible handbags is strong. The auction house broke a world record this spring with the sale of an 18-karat gold, diamond-encrusted Himalaya Birkin for nearly $380,000.
“It really is supply and demand. These bags are very hard to procure,” said Donovan. “You would not just be able to walk into any Hermès store and purchase this piece. This is a piece for a top collector, a connoisseur.”
For more super rich goods check out “Secret Lives of the Super Rich.”