Hermès is a French luxury design house that has been around since 1837. Known for their leather and silk goods, lifestyle accessories, jewelry, perfumes, and home furnishing, Hermès is the epitome of luxury. They’re also known for the luxurious and exclusive Birkin bag.
But with an incredible price point between $10,000 to $60,000, they’re not a purse that just anyone can buy. So why are Birkin bags so expensive? What makes them stand out among the rest? There are several reasons, but let’s break down the top six reasons why they’re so pricey, from the high-quality material to the limited production.
6. Status Symbol and Celebrities
It’s one thing for a bag to be expensive, but when celebrities start showing off their collection, it just increases the popularity and price. Birkin bags are a common accessory amongst the fame, which influences others to buy them to feel like a celebrity as well. But with more and more celebrities flaunting them, the price increases. Countless celebrities have been spotted with a Birkin bag such as the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez, and Lady Gaga.
Check Out: These Are the Most Expensive Purse Brands
5. Long-Lasting Investment
But even with celebrities flaunting their collection, it still begs the question as to why are Birkin bags so expensive. Another main reason is that they’re a long-term investment. And this can be taken in two ways: money investment or long-term usage. The material they’re made out of makes sure they last years, so you can essentially go without buying purses for quite some time. And, because of their popularity and rarity, if you keep the bag in great shape, you can essentially sell it for more profit in the future. It’s such a good investment that Hermès experts find it better than gold.
4. Exclusivity and Demand
Of course, when items are hard to come by, that creates a high demand and a higher price tag. And for Birkin bags, they’re known for their limited production. Hermès intentionally keeps their production low which makes it a challenge to purchase one directly from their boutiques. Oftentimes, buyers need to grow a relationship with the brand, or sales associate, which means investing in their products, to secure a position to buy one.
Check Out: Most Expensive Perfumes on the Market
3. High Quality Materials
Materials, like many accessories, increase their value. As for Birkin bags, they’re commonly made from leather, but there is a range of different leather to choose from. Hermès is known for its high-quality leather, with each having its grain and finish. They even have exotic leathers including crocodile, alligator, and ostrich skin. Depending on the leather type and the size, the value of a bag can really skyrocket.
2. Exceptional Craftmanship
Similar to the materials, craftsmanship is a leading reason why are Birkin bags so expensive. All Hermès products are crafted in one of the many workshops across France and are filled with highly trained craftsmen who are tasked with creating one bag or leather accessory from start to finish. Each artisan goes through years of training before being able to make one, and many bags take well over 18 hours to make.
Read More: Why Are Turkish Rugs Expensive
1. The Name Behind Them
Finally, one of the largest reasons why are Birkin bags so expensive is simply the name. Hermès has a reputation for being the height of luxury for a least a century. Their specific target audience is the wealthy, with few affordable options. Not only are the bags made of the highest-quality leather, but prestigious craftsmen, but having Hermès behind the bag is another big reason that they’re so expensive.
