Hermès Birkin Handbag – £1.2m

Approximate value

£1.2m

$1.5m

Costing more than £10,000, the Hermès Birkin handbag is reserved for the super rich. But taking luxury to another level the French retailer has unveiled four new designs, each priced at an eye-watering £1.2 million (€1.5 million).

The petite totes, painstakingly handcrafted from gold and adorned with an array of precious gemstones, serve a dual purpose as high-end jewellery.

These diminutive bags, smaller in size compared to their popular leather counterparts, are designed to be worn as a bracelet, with the bag’s strap elegantly encircling the wrist.

Hermès Birkin handbag

The primary compartment, though not spacious enough to accommodate a pair of sunglasses, dangles below, allowing the wearer to hold it in their hand.

An opulent edition of the Kelly bag in rose gold is anticipated to be a sensation, featuring a crocodile scale effect and an astounding 1,160 diamonds.

Patrick Thomas, CEO of Hermes, remarked, ‘We embrace a touch of eccentricity here.’ When asked about the potential buyers of these luxurious creations, he added, ‘I have no idea. But perhaps they’ll have two bodyguards!’

The process of crafting these intricate designs was a laborious two-year endeavour for accessories designer Pierre Hardy. The Parisian-born creative initially introduced a collection of exquisite jewellery, titled ‘Haute Bijouterie,’ for the brand in 2009, drawing inspiration from equestrian elements such as whip-shaped diamond necklaces and horse-hoof-inspired bracelets.

Each of the novel designs will see a limited production of merely three pieces. Reflecting on his 2012 collection, Pierre shared with Elle magazine, ‘Accessories are meant to be both bought and sold, akin to plates or sofas. However, within that realm, I strive to infuse objects with the highest degree of creativity and individuality.’

Established in 1837, Hermès initially specialised in crafting harnesses for horses. Today, the brand’s expertise lies in leather goods, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, and ready-to-wear fashion.


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