I just finished a book by Michael Tonello called "Bringing Home The Birkin". The story follows Tonello on his journey as a Hermes reseller. At first, he starts out selling scarves on eBay, until one client informs him of the coveted Birkin bag. The bag, developed by actress and model Jane Birkin, is extremely elusive. Potential owners can wait up to six years for their bag to become available. There are waiting lists at Hermes boutiques around the globe. Hermes leather goods are all handmade. A Birkin bag can take between 18 and 24 hours to make, and is only created by a single craftsman. The bags can be made leather, crocodile, and ostrich skins. They also come in a variety of sizes and colors.
Bags range in price from $7,000 to $100,000 for the rarer materials. So how did Tonello manage to procure so many Birkin bags throughout his career? After several failed attempts, he developed a formula for when he entered a Birkin boutique. Tonello would spend at least $3,000 on other Hermes products and then ask for a Birkin, claiming his mother wanted one. The story is hysterical as Tonello chronicles his trips to Hermes boutiques around the world. He meets many interesting characters and forms some lasting friendships. It is a wonderful story, and for the Hermes lovers out there, it'll keep you busy while you're waiting for your Birkin to come in.
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