If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): hermes birkin bag

Slated to open on September 4th, after an 18 month renovation, French luxury brand Hermes will re-open the doors of their overhauled store located at 434 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

above left: the old Hermes Store on Rodeo Drive and above right, a rendering of the new one

The new, 12,000 square foot Beverly Hills flagship was designed by Paris-based RDAI (Rena Dumas Architecture Interieure), who has designed most, if not all, of the Hermes Boutiques worldwide.

The original Rodeo Drive boutique opened in 1972 and fast became a celebrity favorite. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hermès already had a Hollywood following at that time, having outfitted movie star cowboy Tom Mix's horse, made Alfred Hitchcock's swim trunks and created a custom bag, the "Marlene," for Marlene Dietrich.

To commemorate the grand re-opening, Hermès has created a limited edition collection of special items including two luxe blue calfskin leather basketballs costing $12,900 each, made with the same leather and stitching as their famous Birkin Bag, and swimming pool-inspired silk scarves - both of which fit in with the brand's theme for 2013: "A Sporting Life."

above: a page from their 2013 summer catalog, A Sporting Life, with beautiful photos by Nathaniel Goldberg

"The Sporting Life" theme has generated other unique sport-related items from Hermes such as the silk-covered Boxing Gloves created for the launch of their 2013 Summer Collection event in Palm Beach:

above image courtesy of Palm Beach Post

A $12,900 basketball is too rich for your blood? Well, Hermes also makes a baseball bat in ash wood and gold swift calfskin selling for $1,850.00, a Petanque set in carbon steel and natural hunter cowhide selling for $1,150.00 and their $4650 Bicycle in lacquered stainless steel with frame, handles and saddle in Taurillon Clemence leather, all available at their online store.

You can also view a series of cute short videos here.

Hermes

Want to impress someone this holiday season?
Then clearly the way to do it is by giving (or sporting) a Judith Leiber, Hermes or Prada handbag.
Can't afford those? Well then there are 23 others on the list. Read on...

NEW YORK, NY--(source: Marketwire) -

High net-worth consumers rated Leiber the most prestigious handbag brand in the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute (www.LuxuryInstitute.com).

Leiber's handcrafted bejeweled creations --a few of which are shown above (click pn them to enlarge)-- were praised by respondents as perfect show-stopping accessories for that special occasion. The brand scored highly with women over age 45 and those with net worth in excess of $5 million. Hermes and Prada handbags were ranked second and third, respectively.

One of my personal favorites of Leibers' this season: The Karma Buddha Crystal handbag:

Above: Karma Buddah in multi colored Austrian crystals with gold accents. Includes matching satin gold coin purse and double sided mirror. Length: 4.6", Height: 5.4", Depth: 2.6". Imported.
JU-M28541
* Ships within 1 business day (M-F 9-10)
* Made in USA
price: $3895.00
Buy it here.

"Handbags have evolved from utilitarian accessories to coveted collectables. Not only do today's wealthy women want to communicate their sense of style and sophistication, but also their individuality. By carrying a handcrafted handbag, they show they can afford to be uniquely exclusive," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute.

One of the classic and most prestigious handbags of all time is the Hermes Birkin Bag:

Looking for an authentic Hermes Birkin Bag? Look here.
Or at Hermes, of course.

"Individualization and customization is a trend that is popping up in a range of diverse categories and serves to separate the mass-class from the truly wealthy," Pedraza added. "Our 'voice of the high net-worth consumer' surveys from the impartial Luxury Institute provide important endorsements for luxury brands and the consumers they serve."

Following are the 26 handbag brands that were rated in alphabetical order (with links to their sites):
1. Bottega Veneta
2. Brighton
3. Burberry
4. Chanel
5. Chloe
6. Coach
7. Cole Haan
8. Dior
9. Dolce & Gabbana
10. Dooney & Bourke
11. Fendi
12. Ferragamo
13. Furla
14. Gucci
15. Hermes
16. Kate Spade
17. L.A.M.B.
18. Leiber
19. Longchamp
20. Louis Vuitton
21. Marc Jacobs
22. Michael Kors
23. Miu Miu
24. Prada
25. Ralph Lauren
26. Yves Saint Laurent

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the prestige of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of 783 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $305K and average net worth of $2.2 million, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

About the Luxury Institute
The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings, reviews and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world's first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.

Where to get some of these fabulous handbags without paying full retail?

Try these:
Ebay, of course.
Bluefly
eluxury
Karen Kooper
Euro Bella Collections
Good Cost
am pm fashion
Unusual Threads
smart bargains
Rodeo Drive Resale
efashionhouse

Can afford them even at a discount?
Then rent one here at Bag Borrow or Steal.