The famous Hermès Birkin bag has been the subject of many imitations over the years, but one replica in particular, sold at Walmart, has gained so much popularity that it quickly sold out due to its astonishing resemblance to the original.
This bag, now known as the “Walmart Birkin”, is marketed as a more affordable alternative to the exclusive Hermès Birkin. Here’s what you need to know about the iconic Hermès Birkin model and its budget version at Walmart.
What is the ‘Walmart Birkin’?
The “Walmart Birkin”, marketed online as “Kamugo Genuine Leather Handbags Purse for Women”, is available in three different styles and four colors, including green, orange, blue, and iron gray.
Also known as “Wirkin”, this bag is made with genuine leather, with the outer layer crafted from cowhide. Just like the original Birkin, the “Walmart Birkin” features a gold-tone closure button, designed by the manufacturer to enhance the bag’s security and prevent theft.
The bag is priced between $78 and $102, but currently, all versions are sold out online.
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Why is it called Birkin?
The bag is named after British actress and singer Jane Birkin, who was the muse that inspired its design. The creation of the bag came about from a chance encounter between Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas during a flight from Paris to London. This encounter led Dumas to create the bag, which he decided to name in her honor.
Birkin bags, exclusive to select clients
Hermès Birkin bags are a symbol of luxury, exclusivity, and sophistication. This highly coveted design item is not easily available and, in fact, is not displayed for sale in the brand’s stores.
To acquire a Birkin, customers cannot simply walk into an Hermès store and buy one. The brand requires interested buyers to be selected for the purchase, meaning customers must establish a relationship with the brand by purchasing other products such as shoes, scarves, or jewelry, before being considered for the iconic bag.
Additionally, Hermès stores receive only a limited number of Birkin bags every two years, and the models that will be available are rarely revealed before being delivered to the boutiques.
As a result, customers who are given the opportunity to purchase a Birkin cannot choose the model they want. They are only offered the specific bag available at that time. The alternative is to wait patiently until the desired option becomes available.
Where to buy authentic Hermès Birkin bags?
Waitlists in Hermès stores have been eliminated, and those interested in purchasing a Birkin should go directly to the store and consult with the expert salespeople at Hermès for guidance.
Birkins can also be found through online luxury item resellers, although some of these may be secondhand.
How much does an authentic Birkin bag cost?
Hermès Birkin bags have a starting price of about $10,000, but more exclusive models can exceed $500,000.
Why are Birkin bags so expensive?
The high cost of Birkin bags is attributed to the exceptional quality of materials, exclusive designs, and impeccable craftsmanship, as each bag is handmade in France. Furthermore, limited production increases their exclusivity. Although Hermès has not publicly disclosed the cost of manufacturing a Birkin, analysts estimate that each one costs the brand approximately $1,000.
How to identify an authentic Birkin bag from a replica?
- Authentic Hermès Birkin bags feature high-quality metal hardware, typically engraved with the signature “Hermès Paris”.
- They are made from luxury leather, known for its softness, flexibility, and natural shine.
- Each authentic Hermès bag carries a craftsmanship code, which consists of a combination of eight letters and numbers, embossed on the inside leather. The first letter of the code corresponds to the year or date of manufacture, while the rest identifies the artisan who created the bag.
How did the Birkin bag come to be?
The creation of the Hermès Birkin bag stemmed from a chance encounter in 1984 between actress and singer Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, who was then the president of Hermès.
During the flight, Birkin told Dumas about her struggle to find a travel bag that was both functional and stylish. From that conversation, Dumas designed a spacious bag with a unique closure and practical pockets, thinking of satisfying the actress’s needs.
