The Ironic Iconic Hermes Birkin Bag

So, I was reading up on how this world famous Birkin bag came into existence... and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the fashion icon Jane Birkin happened to sit next to the CEO of Hermes bags one day, on an airplane ride to France or something.

She was frantically rummaging around her everyday bag, but couldn't find what she was looking for. Monsieur Hermes CEO told her maybe she needed a bag with pockets and section dividers. She agreed and requested a bag to be made by Hermes...

Apparently, every year since, Hermes made a new design of Birkin bag and sent her one as a gift, but she didn't keep a collection of them like Victoria Beckham who is reputed to own the largest number of Hermes bags... Jane just gave the old one away when she got the new one.

Jane's second husband with the Birkin bag

 

Jane Birkin then & now, and the black Birkin

* * *

Now, what I find so smashingly ironic about this whole affair is that Birkin's personal style and her style philosophy are so counter culture to everything that Hermes as a brand stands for and promotes! 

Jane Birkin's sense of style and aesthetic preferences run more towards being free-spirited, and has a laid back French chic quality to it. She was a parallel icon to Brigitte Bardot for letting her hair all loose and unkempt. She often walked the streets barefoot, also like Bardot. She would often forgo wearing a bra even. 

Suffice to say, we find Jane's efforts to make peace with the Birkin bag that Hermes created... Some call it, "defacing the Hermes bag," others call it, "personalizing" or "customizing" the bag. But whichever it may be, it is clear that she was not comfortable with carrying the Hermes Birkin bag as is. And she was vocal about it too.

Jane Birkin with her "defaced Birkin" bag - front view

Jane Birkin with her basket bag, then the "defaced Birkin" bag - back view

She is said to have asked for the bag to be made of other materials:

“I keep saying to Hermès to make it out of plastic or cardboard,

then it wouldn’t be so heavy. But if people want to go for the real thing, fine. 

If they go for copies, that’s fine too. I really don’t think it matters...”

I think this just shows how Birkin would have preferred it. After she carried the Birkin bag and having lived with it. And it's interesting too, how even though Birkin herself would have wanted a different version of a Birkin bag, the Birkin bag that Hermes came up with is now considered the most economically investment-worthy designer bag... And how so many Hollywood celebrities are into collecting it, and how they see it as a gem de la gem of their wardrobe estate!

* * *

So, this last bit here then, is what I personally felt was in a way even more fascinating than the Birkin bag itself, in terms of a personal style statement that is... :)

Jane looking lovely & cute with her favorite basket and her signature bang hair

Birkin and her basket, all pedestrian...

Birkin and her mega watt smile & the same basket bag...

Jane, the baby, and the basket bag!

Jane, the singer-husband, and the basket bag... by the beach.

The moment Jane made history at an award ceremony in her sheer dress bra-free, with her basket bag! Tell Mr Obama that THIS is AUDACITY! #freethenipplebegunbyJaneBirkin #datBasketBagGoesToRedCarpetEvent #JaneBirkinTheStyleRevolutionary

Same as above. This girl knew how to break the rules & took her everyday bag to a paparazzi event! And did it with so much charm, style, and grace! Even humor!

Man, Birkin, and Basket Bag - in snow.

OK. I saved this for the last.

I find this image so iconic of a Parisian lifestyle...

It's full of cheer, wholesome food, and the basket symbolizes that odd chic French charm... Well. It does to me. :) 

And yeah. It has some pretty iconic lovers too.

So all is good in this universe.

xoxox

MarsGirl Designs

from thawing Seoul ...

PS. Here is a version of Hermes Kelly bag, that I think at least has elements that Birkin originally is seen to have enjoyed:

Birkin bags made of basket weaves!

----------------------------------------------------------------Further Reading & Sources:
http://www.mylusciouslife.com/hermes-birkin-bag
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150116-the-ultimate-status-symbol
http://fashion.eladies.sina.com.cn/trend/2010/1015/111618105.shtml

Apron Bag for Artisans by Park, Ji-Woo

What an amazing idea!
The bag doubles as an apron with pockets for various tools
and and a bag that carries the tools and other items!

Just came across this bag on Facebook ad~~
:)

http://www.wadiz.kr/web/campaign/detail/4381?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=slide&utm_campaign=4381+%ED%88%B4%EB%B0%B1

How I Got Into Leather Working . . .

My First Leather Bag, Handmade | at Limberti Leather School, Seoul

I was going through a career transition from teaching EFL students in Seoul, and moving into a fashion, image, and psychology based practice in 2015. I was invited by my Mom to take some courses that summer in Art Therapy and also a highly recommended meditation workshop series led by Mr Song SH. He was affiliated with the Buddhist learning center, and the workshop was centered around "Meeting Your Own Inner Mentor" and "Creating Your Own Inner Paradise." I missed out on the first class, but was able to attend the one where I met my "Inner Mentor."

I was trying to finalize a few decisions around having my own startup business then, so I asked my Inner Mentor on what advice he could give me regarding my career. My Inner Mentor was a Middle Eastern guy (yeah, much to my surprise!) and we were sitting in a vineyard. He totally had the vibe of an INTJ (in MBTI types...) and he didn't speak much, just listened well. And the "answer" came, and it was just so "random" but basically, it was that I should look up "leather working" or "leather studio" (in Korean).

So I did.

And I found one reliable place that seemed like a good fit for me. And went to check it out. And by October, I was enrolled and began the course. I had to take a two week leave to Dubai to get trained in Image Consulting by Michelle Sterling (Sterling Style Academy of NYC), so it was really odd and interesting how the whole "Middle Eastern" influence touched my life in this period. Up until this point, I really had little exposure to most things Middle Eastern. The only thing that I had a "fascination" for was Omar Borkan al Gala...

The first bag I was taught was a Birkin 35. I can't share too much details on what they're teaching me because we sign a contract when we enroll. I understand their position on this, so I'm going to carefully select what I CAN and can't share on my blog. 

The second bag I'm working on, right now, is a Boston bag. It was cool because I could design my own pattern this time. :) 

Of all the designer bags I've owned (probably like ten of them?) Dior saddle bag was the only one that I really loved. It was a little bit small for my daily use, but it remained my favorite. My friend is into the Chanel Boy Bag (Would you believe how surprised I was that the lady who designed it is one of our teachers here? LOL), and mine is the Dior Granville bag. I think a few years ago, we were at the Lotte duty free department store in Myungdong and we left he shop bowing to our supremely priced Dior & Chanel bags, saying "Sorry, we can't afford you right now!" and we just laughed and joked about it. :) Heheheh~~

So, I think after consulting with my teacher, I will make a Dior Granville for my third bag.

I'm starting this blog today, because my machine arrived today. I got a leather sewing machine & a leather splitter(skiver). I've had to move them from my living room into my study because my cat might chew on the chords and the thread. 

Anyway... Leather working has been this incredible, sacred journey for me. It's unlike any other experience I've had on Earth... It still blows my mind how it crept into my life... I remember the first week I got into leather working (we made a mystery bracelet and some small cases) and I came home to research some images and history of the craft. I couldn't find the right "book" on it yet. I want something like a classic text and information on this industry and craft. Will have to do more digging on this on Amazon soon. I did find a few images I liked that depicted old leather craft studios. Some engraved ones, others more like manuscript illustrations. 

All I can say is, for now, how healing and engaging the leather bag designing process is. So far, every step of the way has really been a fun challenge for me. I love how physically active and assertive you can be with leather, I LOVE LOVE LOVE working with the leather cutting knife (we are being taught to use the Japanese style knife), I've really enjoyed exploring the leather market and their offerings, and I've loved all the little finishes and techniques involved in creating and completing a bag.

OK. It's getting late in Seoul and I have to get some homework done.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great fabulous day~~

xoxo

MarsGirl