The Hermès Birkin bags have reached a cult status through the years and are considered symbols of wealth and status. Women all over the world aspire for one but thanks to the sky high prices, only few are lucky enough to own them. We never said status symbol came cheap. Hermès has several products like Hermès scarf, Hermès belt, Hermès purse, but none as coveted as the Hermès birkin. The proof of that is the unbelievable amount these bags fetched at a recent auction. A Hermès black crocodile leather Birkin bag fetched $120,000, while another one with gold and diamond embellishments fetched $203,150, making it the most expensive pre-owned Hermès handbag ever auctioned.
These bags have an enviable fan following that includes names like Victoria Beckham who owns, hold your breath, over a hundred pieces! Her Birkin collection is valued at over $2.4 million. F1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone has a more modest collection in comparison with around 20 bags. Other celebrities seen showing off their Birkins are Kim Kardashian, Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria, Julia Roberts, and the list goes on.
But these bags aren’t just in demand in their retail stores but also at auctions. Vintage Hermès bags garnered the highest bids at the Holiday Handbags & Luxury Accessories auction held recently by Heritage Auctions. This sale saw the biggest collection of Hermès bags being put up for bid. The auction raked in $3.2 million out of which, the Hermès bags had the largest share. The highest bid was for a 35cm black crocodile Birkin bag with 18K white gold embellishment, which garnered $122,500. The second highest bid of $74,500 was for a beautiful 30cm violet Porosus Crocodile Birkin embellished with palladium hardware. The third spot went to a 32cm Shiny Rouge H Caiman Crocodile Sellier Hermès Kelly Bag that went under the hammer for $62,500.
The other prominent sales included a Gucci 18K yellow gold & diamond minaudiere evening bag with changeable multicolor tassels ($40,000); a Van Cleef & Arpels’ 18 karat yellow gold and diamond evening bag with basket weave ($27,500); a Chanel yellow Matte Jaune crocodile jumbo flap bag ($20,000); and a Kieselstein Cord large shiny black crocodile leather trophy bag with gold adornment ($13,125).
