It wasn't until the '90s that the Birkin became one of the it-bags of the era.

Each bag is made entirely by hand.Īlthough Birkins are one of the most exclusive and sought-after bags today, they actually weren't all that popular when they first launched. Hermès makes the bags in France using premium materials like calf skin, alligator skin, and even ostrich skin. The Birkin's pockets made it highly functional, and the bag seals to prevent anything from spilling. A year later, Dumas presented Jane with the Birkin bag, a spacious yet sophisticated leather design perfect for everyday use. Dumas introduced himself as the head of Hermès, and the pair spent the flight sketching possible handbag designs on the back of an airplane sick bag. Jane complained to her seatmate that it was impossible to find a weekend bag she liked. When she tried to fit her famous basket in the overhead compartment, the lid came off, spilling the contents everywhere. Narrator: Jane was known for carrying a wicker basket wherever she went and used it for everything from groceries to diapers. Pilot: Flight attendants, please prepare for takeoff. On a flight from Paris to London, the English actress happened to be seated next to the chief executive of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas. So what is it that makes Birkin bags so expensive? The story of the bag begins with its namesake: Jane Birkin. And the world's most expensive bag is an Hermès Himalaya Birkin bag that sold for $500,000. Narrator: The exclusive accessory's even considered by some to be a better investment than gold or the stock market.

Hermes birkin