Birkin bags is a handbag by Hermes; which is handmade in leather from all the way in France by expert artisans, and was named after the famous actress and singer, Jane Birkin.
The bag is a symbol of wealth due to it’s high prices and usage by many, many celebrities. Hermes Birkin Bags also comes in a variety of different sizes, color, and so on…
When it comes to Birkins
Anyone who knows anything understands that they are the gold standard of bags. Sure, some time ago it might have been Prada, but times have changed, and Hermès is king. I wasn’t all that interested at first. I was a stylish housewife, into fashion, living in a richer suburb of California.
My husband and I had money, a good amount. Enough that we lived in a mansion instead of a two floor house stocked with succulent plants and landscaping in the back.
I didn’t spend all my time shopping and going to the spas; I did charity and looked after our adopted tiny little Chihuahua. Perhaps the fact that we named our puppy Harry Winston should have been a sign of things to come, but I never saw my little fashion addiction coming. (Neither did my husband.)
I couldn’t help it if all my friends were stylish and fashion-focused
A better word might be fashion obsessed. All of my friends were image-conscious. They were just image-conscious to varying degrees.
There was Jane, who was married to a plastic surgeon and was obsessed with all things Chanel.
Then there was Rebecca, who had married a professional basketball player and didn’t have specific brand name preferences. She just generally wore what she thought looked good, and her stylist always brought her a lot of options.
Cecily was married to a successful jewelry store owner and was generally the person that most of us ‘kept up with’. We couldn’t help it. She was charming, magnetic, confident, and gorgeous. What Cecily did, we all imitated. In a way, I think a lot of us wished we could be her.
Our friend circle would do lunch several times a week, as well as brunch with mimosas (of course) on Sundays. It was a good life. I got a decent “allowance” from my husband, who worked as a successful dentist to the celebrities. However, having had frugal parents growing up, he definitely watched the money.
When Cecily became obsessed with Birkins
The rest of our friend group cringed but followed suit. Well, I cringed. All the other wives could afford it; or ask their husbands to allow them to afford it. Unfortunately, I only got a thousand a week from my husband. I generally made it stretch and last beyond the week, even putting $200 away into savings most weeks. But as Jane fell in love with the bag and followed suit, followed by Rebecca, I was the only one left without a bag.
It sounds silly, but all of a sudden, I wanted a Birkin more than anything! They are nice bags — they just were a little out of my personal price range. So I did what any desperate housewife would do: I started squirreling away hundreds from my husband’s wallet while he was sleeping. I know, it’s bad. But I rationalized it by the fact that he literally made over a million every year. Comparatively, that can’t be that bad, right?
Day after day, I hid the hundreds
I even went to church more to pray, just to try and even things out. I knew I was effectively stealing, but what choice did I have? Bernie would never authorize giving me a couple thousand just to drop on Birkin bags. He scorned women’s fashion anyway. The more expensive it was, the more Bernie looked down on it (and those donning it). When I showed up with my brand new red Birkin, Cecily squealed!
I really did well hiding it, too. I had a special box in the back seat of my car for it. As long as I didn’t bring it into the house, I thought Bernie would never find it. However, Birkin bags were my new addiction. I followed the same plan of action and bought another, this time a sleek navy. Then a green. It had been 5 months total, and one night, Bernie snored, woke up, and stared directly at me; sneaking $100 bills out of HIS wallet.
He was outraged, and I was ashamed
Weak and defeated, I showed him my perfect 3 boxes in the backseat of my car. I even had a fourth one that was empty and ready to use for the next of the Birkin bags. In the end, I can’t blame him for filing for divorce.
I loved Bernie, but I loved those Birkin bags more. I did spend just about all my husband’s money on Birkin bags. But I got to keep them, the car, and Harry Winston in the divorce settlement. In the end, I just hope that my next husband is understanding; and keeps me well stocked with Birkin bags. I can’t help it — Cecily stirred up an addiction in me. A sweet, colorful, stylish addiction. I may have lost a husband, but I gained Birkin bags. I guess at the end of the day, you could call it even.
A Hilarious shoplifting experience for Birkin Bags
Your interest might have been spiked by the title because Birkin Bags by Hermes aren’t cheap, so how on Earth did I manage to shoplift not one but several of these? Also, the adjective ‘hilarious’ isn’t something that people would normally associate with shoplifting experience; so why did I use it for mine?
Now, before I begin narrating the hilarious shoplifting experience that I had a few months ago, I would like to state that I am not a Kleptomaniac by any means and nor do I experience the impulse of stealing whenever I go shopping.
It all started when one of my best friends, named Jamie, called up from France and told me about her new venture, she started a luxury boutique shop in a jazzy neighborhood in Paris. Jamie has always been ‘intellectually vacuous’ and hence the idea of her having a luxury boutique shop worried me.
A few months ago
I was in Paris for a short vacation. Now, Paris is a beautiful and romantic city, but instead of being inspired to pen down a romantic poem or go on a dreamy date, I was feeling rather mischievous! So, I decided to check out Jamie’s new boutique and for some odd reason, test the security of her shop!
To do this rather dangerous ‘mission’ of mine, I chose to be more ‘discreet’ by putting on a huge pair of sunglasses and a large scarf around my neck. I also wore my hair in a top bun so that I was unrecognizable. As I stepped into the shop I noticed it was very grand and impressive. I quickly scanned the shop for security guards. To my delight, I noticed just two and both were stationed at the doors.
Jamie was nowhere in sight
While the store attendant was busy with the other customers I quickly snagged a Birkin Bag, which caught my attention due to its bright pink color (the exact same color as the breast cancer ribbon!).
I then remembered that one of my friends back home, had a grandmother that is suffering from severe breast cancer. Apparently she decorated her entire house breast-cancer-pink, because somehow the color made her feel a lot happier. So in that case, I thought it would be fantastic if I shoved it into my large tote bag to show her, — maybe give it to her as a gift to add to her ‘pink collection’.
I was prepared for the worst and if the detector goes off at the store then I would just take off my ‘disguise’ and surprise Jamie (she had no idea I was in Paris)!
To my surprise, the detector didn’t set off and nor did anyone stop me on my way out! The feeling that I had just shoplifted a bag that costs a small fortune and outsmarted my friend was quite indescribable!
After the initial exhilaration sunk in, I was worried for Jamie as the security in her shop was pretty lousy. Somehow, instead of bringing her attention to it, I decided to test it even further!
For some odd reasons…
I enjoyed being so ‘sneaky’. So I returned to the shop the next day in a new ‘costume’ and an even larger bag and as you can guess, I snuck yet another one of those gorgeous Birkin bags out of the shop; you’d think that a luxury boutique would have more security than this! I repeated the same thing the next day and the day after that.
Soon, I had four gorgeous Birkin bags in my hotel room. When I went in for my fifth one, I got caught unfortunately as Jamie had noticed that the section of Birkin bags was almost empty and that people have been stealing from her store!
While still under my ‘disguise’ I had to serve time behind the bars for a day before I decided to end the prank/joke. I called up Jamie and told her that the ‘shoplifter’ was me and that I wanted to test out the security in her shop! Why else would I shoplift only Birkin bags and make it so obvious or return to the shop consecutively for five days? After a good 10 minutes of explanation Jamie withdrew her charges and we both had a good laugh about it. Later she also thanked me for my generosity in taking this step for her benefit!
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How Hermes Bags Inspired Me
The fact that celebrities influence our lifestyles is one which is undeniable. The way they dress or present themselves is what inspires us to be like them because we consider them our idols.
One such inspiration came to me during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The worldwide event was graced by the wives and girlfriends of various footballers who were seen strolling down different cities in Germany donning expensive attire and carrying expensive bags.
During one of their many visits to expensive resorts and places, there was a picture of three celebrity ladies which sparked some interest in me. In the picture, the three beautiful and rich ladies spotted Birkin bags and I being a girl, I craved to one day possess such a bag.
But I must admit that the bags are expensive and owning one wouldn’t be as easier as I made it sound. There are some lifestyles which are not meant for every person. Feeling beaten but not defeated, I thought about the expensive life of these ladies and something cropped in my mind.
Becoming a Fashion Designer
The simplest way to afford to don such a beautiful handbag in public was to design one of its kinds although unique in its own way. The long I thought about it the deeper the interest of becoming a fashion designer grew.
I decided to go to a fashion school to learn more about design. All this time, I made sure that I had a collection of every magazine about fashion and read a lot of fashion content online. By the time I finished the short course about fashion design I had learnt a lot. However, I was still skeptical if I was going to make it as a designer. There was something in me which hindered me from taking action and starting my own designs.
Thus, after the short course, I decided to look for a job at a fashion company; I wanted to raise some capital. This wouldn’t have been a bad decision, but I realized how a poor decision it was because it took me four years working at the company instead of focusing on my ambitions. This whole period could have been part of learning more about the fashion industry but I feel that I wasted a large part of my youthfulness and energies being employed when I had the passion and could have easily mastered the guts and launched my own design outlet.
Taking Action
After the four years, I realized that I wasn’t following my dreams. I had saved very little and thus I was not making any positive progress. That’s when it dawned to me, that I could just start small working at home. I made several bracelets and earrings and would sell to local retail outlet.
I must admit that most of my designs were unique and inspired by a variety of culture because it didn’t take long before success started coming my way. Within a year, I had saved much and this helped me start my own lineage of beautiful accessories for women.
In conclusion, I would suggest that when you conceive something and you know that you have the capability to reach it, go for it as early as you can. It pays to work of your ass for even though the returns initially may not be promising, than to work endlessly while employed but the wages just caters for your bills and not enough to take you to the next level.
Shopping Of Hermes Birkin Bags by Celebrities for Outdoor Use
Hermes Birkin Bags are exclusive quality handbags which are very popularly used by celebrities for their outdoors in North America. These handbags are in great demand among celebrities even after their high prices, ranging between $7 400 and $150 000, as you have to wait for your turn to hold them in your hands.
In order to avoid waiting in queue most of the celebrities prefer to buy them through online shopping from a reliable merchandise websites like the official Hermes Birkin Bags website, Amazon, eBay, etc.
Moreover the increasing wait lists for this exclusive variety of handbags is due to their popularity among high level rich people, as most of them want to buy it to enhance their status and impression in the outdoors.
The thing that is desirable by a number of people usually becomes demanding, especially in fashion industry. Everyone who understands and admires the fashion industry, cannot restrain herself from having Hermes Birkin bags in her hand while going outdoors.
Celebrities in North America who carry their Hermes Birkin bags with them while moving outdoors is provided here under to know the popularity of these bags among them… :
Sophia Vergara was seen with her dark colored Birkin bag which she purchased through online shopping while having lunch at Il Pastaio Restaurant with her girlfriend and then went outdoor shopping at Beverly hills in California.
Julianne Moore loves her accessories including her dark green Hermes Birkin bag while moving outdoors only in USA. Julianne, a designer mom, is carrying this gorgeous bag while going for shopping for her kids as she loves her kids and family equally as she loves her work.
More celebs with Hermes Birkin
Khloe Kardashian usually hits the streets of New York City with her beautiful vibrant blue Hermes Birkin bag.
Heidi Klum and Seal Take were seen with maroon colored Birkin handbag during their outdoors for Christmas shopping with their Kids in Los Angeles, California. They bought this bag through an online shopping option in order to avoid long wait list and buy it as soon as possible.
Thus a number of celebrities in North America have bought their Hermes Birkin bags through online shopping for their outdoors use as it is the only way to avoid delay in buying them.
Jane Birkin Biography
Jane Birkin is an extremely famous singer and English actress that is living in France, who is a mother to three beautiful girls. She was born in the year 1946 and was much popular after the affair she had with singer and songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg during 1970s. He was also a pianist, film composer, poet, painter, screenwriter, writer, actor and director.
Nonetheless, she has also written a song album of her own, and also directed one movie. Even, she spoke for the democracy at Burma. She was much popular for the works that she has done during her time. She was educated from Upper Chine School at Isle of Wright.
Family
Her mother was also a popular English actress named Judy Campbell. And her father is David Birkin; who worked as commander of Royal Navy and has also worked as spy during World War II. However, her brother is Andrew Birkin; who is a director and screenwriter.
Career
However, she entered in to the world of movies in the year 1960, in which she appeared as a fantasy kind of model. She was also auditioned in the movie named Slogan in the same year in France. In spite of being poor in France, she got the role due to the acting talent she had. Then she acted with Serge Gainsbourg in his first movie.
Nonetheless, she and him then released the song “Je t’aime… Moin Non Plus”, which was written by Brigitte Bardot. The song became a great scandal for being sexually explicit and was banned in so many radio stations of UK, Spain and Italy. This specific song was then released by Major Minor; and then got better sales and became much popular.
Then she appeared in the album of Gainsbourg in the year 1971. She took break in acting between 1971-72 and then acted in the movie Don Juan.
She also acted in the first movies of Gainsbourg that was released in the year 1975 named “Je t’aime… Moi Non Plus”, that created a huge impact created by it about sexual ambiguity. It was also banned everywhere in the UK, right off the bat. She was nominated for being the Best Actress Cesar Award.
She acted in the movies of Agatha Christie and also recorded many, many albums. And she acted in two movies that were directed by the person Jacques Doillon.
Personal Life
Birkin then had a daughter named Kate Barry, after she got married in the year 1965 to English composer, John Barry. They met when Birkin was casted for the Passion Flower Hotel. In this relationship and they separated in the year 1968.
She then met Serge Gainsbourg in the year 1968 as well, and they had a creative relationship which lasted for about 14 years.
They never got married, but had a second daughter in the year 1971 named Charlotte Gainsbourg. Then eventually, they got separated in the year 1980. She then had relationship with Jacques Doillon and gave birth to a third little girl, named Lou Doillon, in 1982. They also separated in the early 1990’s and then started living alone.
The Birkin Bags
Hermes, who was the chief executive of the Jean Louis – Dumas, traveled with Birkin in the year 1981. She placed her bag above the compartment and it fell down… Things fell out, and things broke; messing up all of the things that were in there.
She then explained to Hermes the difficulty in finding a proper leather bag. This made him design the Birkin bag for her; which was the best thing that has ever happened.
Designing Hermes Birkin Bags
The handmade leather handbags made by Hermes, a renowned maker of quality handbags mostly used by the celebrities, are known as Hermes Birkin bags. They were named after the name of well known singer and actress Jane Birkin. Brief information about art of designing and sewing of Birkin bags is provided in this write up for your consideration and curiosity.
However, the idea of high priced Hermes Birkin bags; ranging between $7,400 and $150,000, was initially conceived by the chief executive of Hermes when he was traveling with Jane Birkin from Paris to London in a flight in 1981. She put her straw bag in the overhead compartment which was not able to retain its contents perfectly. Then Birkin narrated her problem to Dumas who later on created a black leather bag in 1984. They later on introduced these bags in the market as an iconic Hermes Birkin bags after so many changes.
Art of designing and sewing Hermes Birkin bags
The Birkin bags made by Hermes are available in wide range of sizes and designs; as they are made to order according to choice of their customers about the color, hides and fixture hardware; including encrusting diamonds, etc. that can be used on them.
A variety of leather hides including ostrich, calf, snake, lizard, crocodile etc. are used in making these expensive bags. The cost of these bags increases with the materials used in making them as mostly they are lined with goat skin in the matching color to their exterior; while sewing them.
The art of making Hermes Birkin bags depends on their color and size; as well as the purpose of their use. Generally they are available in red, pink, blue, brown, olive green, navy blue, white, black, golden, and orange colors; as well as 25 to 40 centimeter in sizes to be used as handbags. But for the purpose of traveling you can also get these bags in 50-55 centimeter sizes.
Lock and keys are the other important features of these bags
Their keys are enclosed in a clochette, a leather lanyard, looped around their handle. You only have to close the top flaps over the loops of the buckles by wrapping the buckle strap to lock these bags with the help of the hardware in their front. Earlier the lock and keys of these bags were coded with a single number but recently Hermes had included a second number to their code to improve their safety.
Complete range of metallic hardware used in these bags including buckles, locks, keys, studs and other hardware are made of gold or palladium plated material to maintain their finish for a very long time. In order to maintain the quality of these Hermes Birkin bags their hardware is regularly updated.
While sewing these bags they stamp it with Hermes, Paris, Made in France in silver or golden color along with the stamp of craftsman who made them, to match with the embossing and other hardware used on them.
Thus the art of designing and sewing these handbags makes Hermes Birkin bags the exclusive ones.
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