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In 1981, famous actress Jane Birkin would become the inspiration behind Hermès’ now iconic Birkin bag. Currently, this accessory from the French luxury brand ranges between $9,000 and $30,000, drawing attention as one of the greatest symbols of socioeconomic status due to all the filters that must be passed to even have the option of purchasing one of these coveted handbags. Today, in the middle of 2023, exclusivity has reached a next level and getting the Birkin bag has become a procedure that only true fashion lovers would be willing to go through.

Actress Jane Birkin using a signature bag.  (Photo: Getty Images)
Actress Jane Birkin uses a signature bag. (Photo: Getty Images)

This coveted Hermès bag was released in 1984, but it was not until the late 1990s that the luxurious accessory acquired a reputation as an elitist and chic status symbol.

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How difficult is it to get the Hermès Birkin bag?

While the Birkin bag gained notoriety for the celebrities who carried it, the entertainment industry also favored one of the French fashion house’s main assets.

Series and films of great significance in popular culture marked a before and after in the aspirational image that characterizes the precious golden buckle bag to this day. Sex and the City, Blue Jasmine and The Proposal were some of the Hollywood productions that brought the sophisticated Birkin bag to new audiences.

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

Now, if a few years ago thinking about how to get one of these bags was a mystery, today we have answers to that great fashion question.

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What are the steps to get a Birkin bag?

According to different luxury bag experts and representatives of the Birkin brand, these are some of the steps to follow to try to get one of these exclusive wallets.

1.To buy a new Hermès bag, it is best to go directly to the stores and boutiques. There they will help you in your search, but you should always keep patience in mind, as you may have to wait months or years until the right model becomes available.

2. You must keep in mind that Birkins cannot be purchased by any customer. Thus,Vendors choose whether or not to offer customers quota bagssuch as the Birkin or Kelly model based on different factors about which not much is known.

3.There are cases in which bags have been offered apparently at random without the customer having a history of spending, and some unfortunate people who regularly spend at the luxury brand have never had any kind of offer.

4. When one of these bags is offered, the customer is taken to a special room and presented with the purse, then given the option to purchase it. Or rather, Hermès invites its best customers to spend thousands of euros on a bag they have deemed worth carrying.

5.The truth is that you can’t choose which Birkin bag you want. While customers can make wish lists to give their sellers an idea of ​​the bags, colors, leathers and sizes they are interested in, it is ultimately the seller who decides which bag, if any, will be offered.

To finish this guide on the iconic Birkin bags, you should know that prices in Europe are around $5,000 to $7,000, while in the United States they can reach $10,000.

Alessandra Belaunde talks about Birkin bags

Without going too far, in our country the Peruvian influencer, Alessandra Belaunde, dedicated some of her videos on her TikTok account to tell in depth the process to follow to obtain one of these exclusive wallets.

Photo: TIkTok @alessandrabelaundea
Photo: TIkTok @alessandrabelaundea

“The price you see on the internet is the resale price. If you buy it in the store, it is much cheaper and if you buy it in Europe, you can apply the tax free which is 14% of the total amount.” says the fan of designer pieces.

(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)/ Christian Vierig

“The hardest one to get now is the Mini Kelly. I waited for this wallet for two years and I only got it last December in Madrid,” she says.

Thanks to the videos of the 28-year-old content creator, we have been able to delve into the world of luxury and get an idea of ​​how complex it is to wait to have the option to buy one of the iconic Hermès bags.

First of all, you need to have a history in the store, that is, you must be a loyal customer of the same Hermès store. Additionally, building a relationship with a store sales advisor is key.

On the other hand, to have the option to buy the most iconic Hermès bags (either the Kelly or Birkin model) You should avoid buying only jewelry, costume jewelry, makeup and shoes. This is because the vast majority of the brand’s audience buys these products and buying them does not make you an exclusive customer.

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