The Hermès Himalayan Birkin bag is a rare and luxurious accessory often found with the rich and famous. It's a part of any serious Hermes bag collection, including the collections of Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, Jamie Chua and many A-listers. Our experts dive deep into exploring why the Hermes Himalayan Birkin is one of the most expensive handbags in the world.
JLo with her Himalayan Birkin 25
Some people wrongly believe that the unique colors of the Hermès Himalaya Birkin bags come from natural crocodile colors, an albino type of Asian crocodile, or a special crocodile species only found in the Himalayas. However, these ideas are not true. The bag's distinct color comes from a special dyeing process by Hermès, not from natural or unique crocodile species.
The bag gets its name from its color, which looks like the Himalayan mountains. The special light and dark grey effect on the bag is created through a careful dyeing process.
Even though this bag is very valuable, it's also durable. The matte finish hides scratches and signs of wear, so it stays looking new for a long time. This makes the Himalayan Birkin not only beautiful but also a good investment.
Hermès Himalayan Birkin History
The Hermès Himalayan bag was inspired by early crocodile handbags that showcased the natural ombré of the skin. This style faded out as dyeing techniques allowed for more colorful exotic bags. However, in the early 1990s, Hermès developed a new glossy ombré style called Natura Vert Celadon, restarting the trend. The first Himalayan-style bag under this influence appeared in 1994, and the line continued until 2008.
The Vert Celadon Natura color is inspired by the exotic handbags made in the early 1900s. Back then, removing the natural color from exotic skins was almost impossible, even with intense treatment. Hermès brought back this old technique around the year 2000, making just 10 special Kelly bags for private sale.
In 2008, a new version of the Himalayan bag was introduced, becoming a major hit among collectors for the next 15 years. Initially, these bags were exclusive, offered only to top Hermès collectors and VIP customers. The wider public became aware of this exclusive bag when Jean-Paul Gaultier featured a Himalaya Birkin in Hermes' 2010 spring runway show.
The largest Hermes Birkin collection and 3 Himalayan bags
In the late 2000s, Hermès created a Matte White Himalayan style in both the Birkin and Kelly lines. Later, they introduced a new version, the Matte Gris Cendre Himalayan, which links back to the Vert Celadon Natura color of the early 1900s handbags. This added a rich history to their contemporary collection.
Sizes and models expanded over time, with the first 25cm Himalaya Birkin in 2012 and the Himalaya Kelly following in 2013 in various sizes. In 2016, Hermès experimented with applying the Himalayan style to other models like the Plume and special orders including the Lindy, Constance, and other bags, enhancing their exotic collection but these are still rare in auctions.
How is Himalayan Leather Made?
Victoria Beckham with a HImalayan Birkin 25
The actual dyeing process that gives the bag its unique color is a closely guarded secret of Hermès, not known to most people.
To make the Matte White Himalayan bag, a craftsman starts by choosing a naturally light crocodile skin, which is already a challenging step. The skin is then preserved with dry salt and cleaned by soaking. It goes through a process to remove the scales (liming) and then prepared for pickling. After this, the hide is chrome tanned to make it strong and durable. It is then shaved and degreased to make it thinner, re-tanned to make it soft and flexible, and finally dried.
By the way, Himalaya items come in Blanc and Gris Cendre colorways.
So Why is This Bag So Special?
Hermès enthusiasts understand that obtaining even a standard Birkin in Togo or Clemence leathers is nearly impossible. If Hermès graciously allows you the privilege of purchasing their $14,000 handbag, consider yourself lucky.
Now, consider that a Himalaya Birkin is offered only to VIP customers, making acquiring one at retail astonishing. Whenever this purse appears on resale sites, it sells within hours. It is truly the holy grail of bags.
Hermes Himalayan Birkin Price
Kim Kardashian with a HImalayan Birkin 25
The Hermès Himalayan Birkin bag is highly valuable and sought after. In stores, a 25 cm Himalayan Birkin costs between $45,000 and $70,000, with the price in the US around $70,700.
Larger versions are more expensive. In resale, it's vice versa: the larger the bag, the less it costs. Sizes 25 and 30 are considered the most coveted, fetching an average auction price of nearly $155,000 in 2021 and a record sale of $226,180.
For a reference point, on Vestiaire Collective, a resale website, there are currently two Himalayan Birkin available, both of them go for around $170,000 (€150,000).
Diamond-studded Himalayan bags sell for even higher prices. Over the past five years, the value of Himalayan bags at auctions has increased by an average of 21% annually. The smaller bags, like the 25cm Kelly and Birkin, have seen even higher value increases, with prices at auctions now averaging over $200,000. Among them, the 28cm Kelly bag commands the highest average price, over $300,000. On average, they fetch about $315,000 at auctions, even though they are priced around $250,000 at Hermès stores. In 2022, a 28cm Diamond Himalaya Kelly bag was sold for just over $500,000 at auction.
A Buying Guide for an Hermes Himalaya Birkin
If you've laid your eyes on a Himalayan Birkin, here are the aspects you should consider.
Sizes
Before buying your first Himalayan Birkin, consider its size. Available sizes include 25, 30, and 35. The alligator leather used is durable and maintains its shape well.
Colors
image courtesy of @priveporter
In addition, you always have to take colors into the account. Luckily, choosing a color for your Himalayan Birkin is much more easier than for a regular one. There are only 2 colorways.
Blanc
The classic color of the Himalayan Birkin, seen with celebrities and in major Hermès collections globally, is Blanc. This color can vary, with some bags being very light and others having a brown shade on the sides. So, there are many options to choose from.
Gris Cendre
image courtesy of @gloss_vintage
This colorway is ultra rare. Almost impossible to come across, it's the ultimate dream for any fashionista.
Leathers
We have discussed that Himalayan actually refers to the color, not leather. Hermes uses several leathers for this color block, so you may choose from
- Matte Niloticus Crocodile
- Niloticus Crocodile
Both of these very rare and expensive leathers are marked by two dots near the stamp. If you're unsure about the leather based on pictures, a sure giveaway of matte nicotilus leather is an unfoiled 'made in' stamp.
Hardware
Although you might come across a Himalayan Birkin with Gold hardware, it's pretty unlikely that you do. An overwhelming majority of bags are produced with Palladium hardware as it perfectly matches the greyish colors. If your budget extends to over $300,000, then another hardware option is diamond hardware.
Summary
If you're every lucky enough to buy a Himalayan Birkin bag, congratulations. You are laying your hands on the holy grail of all the bags ever produced.
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