The
Birkin bag is a handbag by
Hermès, handmade in leather and named after actress and singer
Jane Birkin. The bag is a symbol of wealth due to its high price and elusiveness to the public.
Its prices range from £6,000 to £100,000 ($9,000 to $150,000). Costs
escalate according to the type of materials. The bags are distributed to
Hermès boutiques on unpredictable schedules and in limited quantities,
creating scarcity and, intended or unintended, exclusivity.
Although the Birkin bag is free of logos, it is one of the most recognized bags in the fashion industry and by the public.
It is highly coveted and, for several years, was reputed for having a
waiting list of up to 6 years – the longest wait for any bag in
history.
As a result of the strong demand, the Birkin bag has a high reselling value in many countries especially Asia.
In April 2010, Hermès announced that the waiting list would no longer exist, implying that it is potentially available to all.
info from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia