The Hermès Birkin bag stands as the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity in the fashion world, a coveted item that transcends mere accessory status to become a cultural icon. However, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the brand’s artistic director, firmly asserts that the limited availability of these bags is not just a clever marketing strategy designed to create buzz or drive up demand.
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“The cost is the actual price of making an object properly with the required level of attention so that you have an object of quality,” Dumas said in a recent segment of CBS’ “60 Minutes.” Adding, “Expensive is a product, which is not delivering what it’s supposed to deliver, but you’ve paid quite a large amount of money for it, and then it betrays you. That’s expensive.”
Getting a Birkin bag isn’t just about having deep pockets—these coveted bags start at $9,000 and can soar into the hundreds of thousands at auctions. This journey isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s going to test your limits and push you to the brink.
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Hermès boutiques often have limited stock due to the meticulous handcrafting involved. When asked how to snag one, Dumas didn’t sugarcoat it: “You have to walk into an Hermès store, and uh — you have to be patient.”
“But you know the world we live in, right?” Alfonsi said. “You know that if somebody has the funds and they want the bag, they want the bag now.” Dumas responded: “Yes. Um, I have children too. And I have desires too. But I’m saying it’s a long process. You go to a store. You get an appointment. You meet a salesperson. You talk about what you want. It’s not available. You’ll have to wait. They’ll come back to you. It takes a long time. Eventually, it’s gonna happen.”
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Dumas made it clear that Hermès doesn’t play games with scarcity to boost demand for its Birkin bags—there’s no marketing team pulling the strings. Each bag is crafted by a single artisan, taking days or even weeks to perfect, showcasing a fierce commitment to tradition. The brand’s signature saddle stitching and meticulous material sourcing scream dedication. Hermès chooses quality over mass production; these bags are handcrafted, not cranked out by machines. highlights Hermès’ relentless focus on craftsmanship and heritage
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“We’re about craft. We’re not machines,” said Dumas, encouraging prospective customers to practice patience. “And we are not compromising on the quality of the way we make the bags.” Adding: “You cannot compress time, at one point, without compromising on quality.”
Despite their high price, they reflect the craftsmanship, tradition, and exclusivity of the brand, making them worth every penny, not just for their price.
