Hermes Handbags

While in Spain a few weeks ago, my mom and I popped into Hermes Valencia. The store was in a beautiful area and there were beautiful bags sitting on the shelves begging me to take them home. There was the 25 cm Birkin in Etoupe, the baby, who was incredibly chic and cute. The Kelly’s were more vast and even more stunning, including a 40 cm Kelly in Rose Dragee with Swift leather. And while I loved the bag, my mom fell head over heels for it. Her heart was set on this bag, 100%. We took it out, she tried it on, she stood in front of the mirror. I was playing with the 30 cm Black Croc Birkin, but my mom was not having any of that, the Rose Dragee had her heart. Personally a Hermes Lindy or Kelly Longue in Rose Dragee would get my vote; but not my mom, the 40 cm Kelly was perfect. The problem was the price. It is not that we went into it thinking anything from Hermes is inexpensive, it is that the exchange rate is so horrible for the US Dollar versus the Euro. The 40 cm Kelly cost 6500 Euro. A whopping 10,036 US Dollars. Obscene, right? What happened to the times of traveling to Europe and finding deals? We realized that almost every English speaker we heard was from England, not the US. The economy in the US is definitely in a slump and the dollar is very weak, which means less Americans traveling abroad and meant that we left Hermes Valencia empty handed.

Have you felt the effect of the weak dollar on your travels?

Read on...

She has finally done it! We have seen Victoria Beckham carry her Hermes Ostrich Birkin, Hermes Kelly Longue, Rouge Birkin, white Birkin, Hermes Kelly Lizard Pochette, Hermes Baccara Clutch, and the list goes on. But when it has come to her Birkin’s, Victoria has seemingly stuck with leather, not exotics. Sure there has been an ostrich or two, but compared to her collection it is minuscule. Finally she has taken a crocodile out to show the world. Victoria Beckham was seen leaving her NYC hotel on her way to lunch with her hot hubby David carrying a 35 cm Shiny Crocodile Miel Hermes Birkin. Her Crocodile Birkin is what I consider divine and one of the perfect staples of the house of Hermes. She pulls of the size perfectly, not allowing it to over-power her, but wearing it as what it is meant to be, an accessory. Price is not cheap nor anywhere near cheap, and hearing rumors of more price increases only makes it that much more un-affordable to the masses. But that is what Hermes wants, and that is what they have created. And yes, many of you do not like Victoria Beckham, but just see this post as me showcasing a stunning bag!

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I may blame today’s activity to the current boredom in my life. With the fiancee gone, I have nobody to waste time with and the usually desired alone time became a bit too much. I also partially blame the boredom on having just moved down to Florida not too long ago, most of my buddies are still up in Ohio.

While chatting with Megs over iChat (what would we do without the modern technology that is the Internet), she pointed out this interesting little gizmo that was going to break the chains of boredom off my neck and engulf me in pre-schoolish activity for the day. How sweet of her to think of me that way.

What Meaghan pointed me to was a new feature on the Hermes US web site, called Les Ailes d’Hermes, the wings of Hermes. The animated micro site allows you to discover and travel the world of Hermes. You learn about the origins of box calf, the complex coloring of their iconic scarves, you see a glove crafter work the smooth leather, there’s mini-games and much more. The part that transformed me back to being a 6 year old was the I want it, I’ll have it feature. It allows you to pick between 8 different Kelly motifs, download it as a PDF, print it at home and assemble your own mini-Kelly. How fun. If it only wasn’t for me being entirely finger challenged when it comes to fine crafting. Paper is quite delicate, which I learned the hard way. On my first attempt I miserably failed to follow the primitive instructions, folding where I was supposed to cut and vice versa. Eventually, I got her done and the result is displayed above. Click the thumb to enlarge the image. Good job me? A new sense of accomplishment fills my life.

Check it out for yourself, it’s a fun little time waster and a great way to bridge the time that you spend waiting for your own, real life Hermes Kelly bag.

Some say Victoria Beckham owns 10 Hermes Birkins. Whoever claimed this obviously has not been keeping up with Victoria and her outings because her Birkin collection exceeds 10 by far. And one of her newest editions, said to be a gift from husband David, is a 30 cm Hermes Ostrich Birkin in Violine. When I think her collection can not get more stunning, she stuns us with a pop of color against her dark dress (notice the deep purple Christian Louboutins that compliment the bag ever so perfectly). What was the occasion? David Beckham was celebrating his 100th soccer match for England with Victoria at the luxurious Baccarat restaurant in Paris. The crowd clapped for David and his accomplishment, but if I were there I would be clapping for Victoria and her outfit. The couple is one of the hottest couples in the world say many, and this past Wednesday night they showed once again what a fierce couple they are.

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Victoria can not deny it, she loves the public eye. As she shopped on Rodeo Drive with pal Eva Longoria and son Romeo, the trio caused quite a stir. It is not as if Victoria tries to hide from the cameras, and really, her bright red dress was not toning it down at all. As they shopped in Versace, Dolce & Gabanna and Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria stayed true to her Hermes addiction and carried a Hermes Kelly Longue in Gold Swift leather. Her Hermes handbag collection seems endless; just as we spot her carrying one Birkin she pops out with a style we have never seen her with. The Kelly Longue was derived from the Hermes Kelly a couple seasons back. The bag is longer and thinner than the Kelly Pochette and more rare. Victoria’s Kelly Longue is made with Swift leather, but the Longue also is available in Box, Veau Doblis, Chevre Mysore, and Crocodile. Though, the exotic has only hit the runway and been seen on display, it is unsure if it will be sold. The price starts around $4,000. This handbag is a stunning classic, and while it is great for evening wear, it makes the perfect day clutch also. Victoria’s Hermes collection continues to take my breath away! I am not as keen on Eva Longoria’s Valentino Fleur Bag, but the Hermes bag makes up for it.

More images of Victoria with her Hermes Kelly Longue below...

The Hermes Birkin is the holy grail of bags. While I feel lucky to own my Hermes Birkin in Blue Jean, it is evident that many are hugely ahead of me when it comes to collecting Hermes bags. As I dream of owning a croc Birkin someday, I find pleasure in drooling over others croc bags. Hermes does crocodile like no other designer, showing perfect attention to detail in every stitch and using the best exotics. A member of our forum, WhiteBirkin, has an astounding Hermes collection. Her two new editions have my heart. She picked up a 30cm Rouge Vif Nilo Birkin and 30cm Blue Jean Porosus Birkin. The Porosus crocodile comes from Australia while the Niloticus crocodile comes from Africa. These crocodiles meet Hermes standards and go on to make the most stunning bags. My only problem is deciding which of these bags I love more, I am stumped!

Victoria Beckham with her Hermes Birkin

It has been said that Victoria Beckham owns over 100 Hermes bags. Well, I would not be surprised. No matter what outfit she is wearing, she loves to pair it with one of her many Hermes bags and always looks absolutely fierce. Sure, she may look like a plastic doll or a robot at times, but let me tell you, I would not mind being called a plastic doll or robot if I looked as good as her. On her way to her son’s birthday party, Victoria Beckham paired her Hermes 35 cm Birkin in Rouge Garance with the chic Marc Jacobs Abstract Floral Print Dress. Talk about stunning! This look is perfect from head to toe (check out the shoes too!). I would love to just sit in her closet for a few hours and drool over her collection.

Marc Jacobs Abstract Floral Print Dress

WAS: $1,300 NOW: $780 via NAP.

While I appreciate coveted designer handbags, my true passion lies in cars. Don’t blame me, I am a dude like any other. Just happen to administer a Purse Blog on the Interweb. About a month ago, I reported on Hermès’ upcoming collaboration with the luxury car manufacturer Bugatti. Finally, the beast was revealed at this year’s Genova Car Show – and oh my, it is a gorgeous specimen. While the exquisite Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès boasts the same 1001 hp quad-turbocharged 16 cylinder engine from the original Veyron, its distinct character manifests in the details.

 

The new Veyron derives its name from the historic Hermès headquarters on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the heart of Paris’ eighth arrondissement. It sports eight-spoked wheels in polished aluminum, central butterfly wheel locks branded with the prominent letter ‘H’, and air vents around the rims aim to reproduce the characteristic appearance of traidtional Hermès saddle-stitching. The horseshoe radiator grille, and the lateral ventilation grilles flanking it, are made from lightweight alloys with a design of interlocking H’s which evoke the Hermès signature. The inner surfaces of the Veyron Fbg are designed and sheathed in bull calfskin at the Hermès workshops in Paris by the same mastered hands that give us purse fetishists the coveted Birkin and Kelly bags.

 

The center console features a special compartment for the Hermès Globetrotter agenda, the leather-lined trunk holds a specially-fitted “Toile H” leather case. With a price tag of 1.55 million Euros (excluding taxes), the Veyron Fbg par Hermès will remain an unattainable subject of lust for most of us. The lucky, selected few will take their deliveries towards the end of this year. What an absolutely astonishing, most awesome and desirable vehicle, for car and bag fetishists alike.

 

Pictures courtesy of AutoBlog. Click here to see the full gallery.

1) 35cm Shiny Black pororus Croc Birkin with White Gold Hardware
2) 22cm Chocolate Togo So Kelly with PHW (it’s said that only Togo will be used in AW2008)
3) 35cm Etoupe Togo Birkin with PHW

Hermes tuned in to their subtle side; not offering anything on the runway that brought a new and wacky punch, but offering us a taste of refined style that they are known for. Coats and jackets took precedence on the Paris runway, which were pulled together with oversized belts pulled tight at the waist. The color palette was monochromatic yet timeless. There was a sense of stability during the show, as the models gracefully made their way down the runway accessorized with knit caps and scarves. The handbags stayed true to Hermes, but added an urban chic touch with the reinterpreted Hermes Kelly worn as a messenger bag at the hip, named the Hermes Jypsiere. Many say Hermes played it safe, but it was more about being classic than safe to me. The Hermes Fall 2008 line is timeless, just as the brand itself.

4) Hermes Jypsiere in Suede Crocodile ( it is unsure if this will make it in the actual production as it is not durable nor practical)
5) 37cm Graphite Clemence Jypsiere with PHW
6) 34cm Parchmein Clemence Jypsiere with PHW

7 ) 34cm Vert Olive Clemence Jypsiere with PHW
8 ) Semi Matte Havanna Croc Porosus Hermes Kelly Pochette with PHW
9 ) 50cm Graphite Clemence Birkin with PHW

*A special thanks to MrsS and L for helping identify the bags!*

Images via Style

This video is both hilarious and educating. Birkin godmother Jane Birkin gifts two young Japanese cooks with signed Hermes Birkin bags and gives them a lesson on proper Birkin care. Since Megs got hers, she’s kept it in its sleeper bag, in a dry and cool location in the house. I am confident that many Birkin owners treat their insanely expensive treasures similarly.

Apparently though, that is not how Jane feels about treating an iconic bag. While French is rusty and my Japanese non-existent, her actions are luckily clearer than any language could communicate… leaving the show host completely devastated! Enjoy the show. It had me laughing, hard.