THE Cost and Value of The Most Expensive Handbag in the World

Many luxury designers focus on creating some of the world’s most coveted handbags, but Hermès is widely regarded as the makers of the most expensive bags in the world, more specifically their Birkin model. These bags cost anywhere from $40,000 to $500,000 for an individual handbag, and as they are handcrafted and made in small and limited quantities, they are considered one of the most expensive and valuable handbags in the world.

In 2017 it was determined that the value of an authentic Hermès Birkin bag increased by 500% in the past 35 years. This increase of 14% per annum is unmatched in the world of handcrafted luxury handbags. One of the most highly sought-after models is the Hermès Birkin Himalaya, which is also known as the holy grail of handbags. The white Himalaya Birkin bag is made with 18-carat white gold hardware and encrusted with over 200 diamonds. The 35cm size specifically is very rare and has sold at record prices, most recently in 2019 when it sold for over half a million dollars.

The reason why these bags fetch such incredibly high prices is because of their exclusivity and also the incredible amount of detail, effort, and skill that goes into making one. A Birkin bag is considered to be an artwork rather than just a fashion accessory. They are individually handmade by highly skilled artisans who train for as many as ten years before they’re even allowed to make a Birkin.

An incredibly exclusive item, some in the fashion world consider Hermès Birkin to be a better investment than the stock market, or even gold itself. In the 1990s Hermès acquired the title of the ultimate status symbol and celebrities the world over coveted these iconic it-bags. It is estimated that Victoria Beckham owns more than 100 Birkin bags with an estimated value of more than $2 million. So, if they’re so coveted, why doesn’t everybody have one? Because you cannot walk into Hermès and just buy one. There used to be a waiting list for buyers wanting a Birkin, but nowadays you need to have either money or status to be offered a Birkin bag for purchase. Hermès has also introduced other measures that have added to these bags’ exclusivity, which includes a limit on how many they make per year and how many an individual client may purchase in one year. This commitment to preserving the exclusivity of these items has led to a larger demand than supply and a booming resale market.

The resale market is one of the easiest places to lay your hands on an authentic Birkin bag, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll come cheap. The pre-owned Birkins sold by trusted resellers and traders of pre-owned luxury goods often fetch near their original value, or more, depending on the condition of the piece, the model, the material it’s made from, and the hardware used.

When buying a new Birkin, probably, you won’t be able to select the size or colour that you’d prefer. However, in the resale market, you will. You can pick a piece that you like the look of, and if you have the cash for it, it is yours. This seems a small premium to pay for such an exclusive luxury item as the Birkin. And even though many Birkin bags have been produced, not a single one is the same as another. Each piece is individual and unique, and you’re investing in artwork, not fashion. If you’d like to get your hands on an authentic Birkin bag to add to your fashion collection, make sure to take a good look at renowned and validated resellers so you can get the size and colour you’d prefer.

Rewind Vintage is an esteemed, knowledgeable and verified trader of pre-owned luxury goods. They pride themselves on the wide range of Hermès Birkin bags that they make available to the public. From their early days in 2010, they quickly established themselves as the unbiased vintage specialists in the UK. With over 15,000 items sold over the years, they have been featured and awarded in UK and International Media, and on TV, and have an unparalleled knowledge when it comes to pre-loved high-end fashion. Everything they do evolves around accessories, clothing, handbags and other pre-loved items. They value, source, buy, sell and customise a wide variety of items. For more information on Rewind Vintage and their Birkin range, please visit https://rewindvintage.co.uk/.