Like most Birkin bags, the black Birkin 35 in textured Togo leather and palladium hardware takes, on average, 48 hours to make by a skilled artisan in France who undergoes 3 to 4 years of training. When they retire, they also take with them their bag-making tools. This coveted tote is one of the Birkin’s most sought-after sizes and was inspired by a chance meeting between British actress Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, a relative of the original Hermes, who sketched the design out on a sick bag as they were on a flight between Paris and London. In exchange for the use of her name, Hermes gives the actress an annual payment, which she donates to charity. Since its debut, the Birkin has increased in value and is considered a safer investment than the stock market. The prices are only expected to keep rising. While the most expensive Birkin sold at auction for over $300,000, this one is just a bit more attainable. The black Birkin 35 features textured Togo calfskin leather with palladium hardware, a leather-lined interior with several pockets, rolled leather top handles, tonal stitching, a front toggle closure, and a signature clochette lock with two keys.
