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The Birkin Legend

By FashionUnited

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Have you ever wondered how a piece of stitched leather makes it to cult status, with fashionistas the world over clamouring for one of their own? How is it that one bag can capture the public's imagination to such an extent and inspire legions of copycats?

Fashionweekdaily.com went back in time to the roots of the legendary Birkin bag. According to some, it all started when actress Jane Birkin spilled the contents of her too-small bag onto the Hermes designer on a plane back in 1981, inspiring the designer to create the roomy new model.

In 1985, Barbara Guggenheim had begun collecting Kelly and Birkin bags, even before the bags had achieved the status of it-bag. In Mexico City, Mrs Guggenheim bought four Birkins and three Kellys. Many of us can only dream of this shopping scenario.

In the hit tv series, Sex and the City, Kim Cattrall's character, publicist Samantha Jones, claimed: "This bag screams, 'you've made it!'", catapulting the bag's status into an even higher stratosphere.

A few years later, both Martha Stewart and Lil'Kim arrived at their respective trials touting the ultra-luxurious totes. Stewart's lawyers filed for a new trial when it was revealed that the jury had discussed the price of her bag. At around EUR 4,000, it is little wonder the jury had such a reaction to Stewart's arm candy.

Last year, Jane Birkin herself was spotted at the Gaultier couture show with a Birkin bag. The media went wild. Earlier this year, in an interview with the New Statesmen, Birkin said: "People always want to talk about it (the bag). I just don't understand. It can get a bit much to be upstaged by a bag." Amen to that.

www.hermes.com

Hermès