Why collecting Birkin bags (like Cardi B or Georgina Rodríguez) is the smartest investment

Marita Alonso

In October 2020, Cardi B (almost literally) broke the internet by showing her followers a stunning collection of Birkin bags. Perfectly arranged on a shelf, she drew a rainbow full of colors and patterns, all signed by Hermès. Among the 23 designs we find the striped Sellier Birkin version of the spring/summer 2020 collection, the bandana print design customized by Belgian artist Jonathan Riss, the bag embellished with Swarovski crystals and a blue Birkin that Kylie Jenner had just given her for celebrate his 28th birthday.

The rapper Offset, intermittent partner of the singer, clarified in the comments that 15 of the models that appear in the image had been given to him. He also gave one to her daughter Kulture, a pink Birkin to match her mother's, who was quick to explain why a two-year-old needs her own Hermès. "When celebrities buy their kids jewelry, people say, 'Kids don't care about that. They prefer toys and candy.' Yes, they only care about toys and candy, but kids go outside, They go to restaurants, they go to fancy places... Famous kids walk the red carpets," the rapper explained.

When Kris Jenner showed off her wardrobe and bag collection two years ago, he made it clear that they are an investment for her. And the Kardashian matriarch was right: the collectors who have made the Hermès Birkin the new gold bar have also made it the best financial lifeline in the midst of a pandemic.

fashion life jacket

In times of crisis, luxury buyers advocate smart shopping, which if for ordinary people it consists of creating a wardrobe capable of working 24/7, for the truly rich it means buying luxury accessories (preferably of timeless and iconic designs) whose value only increases over time. "The only bags that always work well are the classic ones, because they are committed to the same design. They are the bags that reach the best prices and that will work best on the resale market. A Birkin is around 9,000 euros, and in resale it can reach 20,000," explains Caitlin Donavan, sales manager for Christie's handbags and accessories department, to The Coveteur.

Bag collector Julia Kovaljova explains in the Wealth Report carried out by the consulting firm Knight Frank that she has some 100 classic models, among which she cites the (Hermès) Birkin, Kelly and Constance designs. "When I started buying Hermès bags, I did it for the joy of having them. Over time, however, I began to realize that they were a good investment. As in the art world, not everyone is going to appreciate, and as a collector it is important to understand how to create a collection that will do so over time," he says.

But why does a Hermès Birkin work better than a Balenciaga bag? For starters, because demand always exceeds supply: you can't walk into a Hermès boutique for the unicorn of bags and expect to walk out with the French brand's mythical orange bag with the coveted design inside.

Its endless waiting list has made the second-hand market the ideal showcase for the most desired bag. The difficulty of accessing a Birkin, added to the fact that it has become a common pop icon both in the lyrics of hip hop songs and in the jokes of fashionista-themed series and movies, have only increased its legend.

In fact, according to the Knight Frank Wealth Report study, its value has increased by 13% in recent months, making the Birkin one of the least volatile bets on the market. It is clear that in times of high inflation, such as the one we are experiencing now, ultra-luxury items do not suffer, and the Hermès Birkin stands as the great survivor, but also as the best friend of women ahead, even , of the very same diamonds.