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Hermès Artistic Director Discusses the Craft and Legacy Behind the Iconic Birkin Bag

Lifestyle and Fashion

Hermès, 60 Minutes Overtime, Birkin Bag, craftsmanship

Business Honor
17 December, 2024

Hermès emphasizes quality craftsmanship and exclusivity, redefining luxury with its timeless Birkin bag.

In a recent interview on 60 Minutes Overtime, Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas shared insights into the luxury brand's approach to creating the iconic Birkin bag, which can retail for up to $9,000, or even reach hundreds of thousands at auctions. Dumas highlighted that the Birkin is not simply "expensive," but "costly" due to the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation. He explained that luxury items like the Birkin are built on the values of quality and time, as opposed to mass-produced, high-priced commodities.

Hermès focuses on excellent craftsmanship in the production process of its bags. For example, the Kelly bag, another highly sought-after item, takes 20 hours of artisan labor, including four hours for just the handle. Each bag is produced by a single artisan from start to finish, which ensures consistency and the highest standards of quality. This hands-on approach contrasts with modern manufacturing techniques, showing the dedication to traditional methods.

The exclusivity of Hermès bags matches the demand. The Birkin, for instance, is not readily available for purchase because Hermès does not sell it online and stores often have no stock to sell. Customers must go through a personal process of building a relationship with store managers, resulting in long wait times and rare opportunities to purchase.

For almost 200 years, Hermès' success and reputation have been cultivated by a firm that maintains a culture of luxury ranging from saddles to silk scarves. From craftsmanship and attention to detail, Hermès has been in the history books of leadership, following the legacy of a family that still leads the business.