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The Birkin Bag: Collector’s Item or Status Symbol?

Angelina Markovic
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The Birkin Bag: Collector’s Item or Status Symbol?

The Birkin Bag: Collector’s Item or Status Symbol?

The Birkin bag. The A-list celebrity of the handbag world. Now, you may ask yourself: why? There is actually a story behind it. But why does a handbag need a story at all? Well, a bag that costs as much as a brand-new car deserves an iconic story behind it. Let me explain how an airplane ride made that bag happen.

Imagine it’s 1984. Jane Birkin is on a flight from Paris to London. She carries a beautiful wicker basket, although it isn’t particularly practical. Everything inside tumbles out. The passenger sitting next to her sympathizes with her. She mentions that Hermès doesn’t make handbags with enough pockets.

Jane Birkin, and her Birkin.ALAIN JOCARD,JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP via Getty Images

Guess who that passenger was?

Jean-Louis Dumas, the CEO of Hermès.

And that’s where the first Birkin design came to life.

Jane sketched her idea on an airplane airsickness bag. One month later, she received a call. Hermès had created the bag exactly as she had imagined it. And that, dear fashion lovers, is how one of the most iconic handbags in history was born. Little did she know her name would one day become a legend.

If you look at the bag today, it is still a masterpiece. Everybody knows the Birkin. Everybody wants one, but not everyone can get one. Prices vary depending on the size, leather and hardware. Many people would love to know how to buy one—and let me tell you, it isn’t simple. Honestly, buying a house can sometimes seem easier.

To purchase a Birkin, you often need a strong relationship with a sales associate, and even then there is usually a waiting list. Yes, for a handbag.

As Samantha Jones once joked in Sex and the City: “For a bag?”

Yes—for a bag that has become the ultimate symbol of luxury and exclusivity. So no, you can’t simply walk into Hermès and ask for one. Trust me, I tried.

Looking at the prices might give you a heart attack. But before you close the Hermès website, there’s something worth knowing.

The Birkin is widely considered one of the strongest-performing luxury investments. Alongside the Kelly, it has become one of the few fashion accessories capable of retaining—or even increasing—its value over time. That is one of the reasons demand remains so high today.

Many of the Birkins you see today may one day become family heirlooms. I certainly wouldn’t mind owning one myself. Many people even buy them second-hand, knowing they can still be excellent long-term investments.

My favourite will always be the Birkin 25 in Epsom leather with gold hardware. It’s effortless. Magnificent. And yes, it certainly gives you status—at least on the outside.

But don’t confuse money with taste.

A Birkin isn’t what makes someone stylish. In fact, the opposite is true: it is the person who gives the Birkin its elegance.

Money may purchase the bag, but taste is what brings it to life.

So, back to the original question: is it a collector’s item or simply a status symbol?

The truth is, it has become both.

After all, nobody buys a Rolls-Royce simply because it drives well… do they?

Isabel Marant Resort 2027 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Isabel Marant Resort 2027 Collection

Isabel Marant Resort 2027 Collection

For Resort 2027, Kim Bekker steered Isabel Marant away from its signature bohemian ease in favor of a sharper, city-minded wardrobe. Focused on movement, versatility, and modern tailoring, the collection embraced clean lines and sculptural silhouettes in a bold palette of black, white, and vivid red.

Courtesy of Isabel Marant

Designed for women navigating fast-paced urban lives, the lineup balanced practicality with effortless sensuality. Rather than dressing for vacation, Bekker proposed polished separates built for everyday wear without sacrificing the relaxed confidence synonymous with the Parisian label.

“I wanted to create something graphic, precise, and grounded in real life,” Bekker explained. That philosophy translated into a wardrobe distilled to its essentials, where every silhouette served a clear purpose.

Tailoring became the collection’s foundation, drawing inspiration from the power dressing of the 1980s. Strong-shouldered jackets appeared in varying proportions, from dark wool hourglass blazers paired with fluid mini skirts to crisp white stretch-linen styles finished with slightly off-center glossy black buttons. The result felt structured yet contemporary rather than nostalgic.

Courtesy of Isabel Marant

Outerwear injected energy into the collection. A striking red windbreaker, belted coat dresses, and carrot-leg trousers delivered graphic impact while maintaining everyday functionality. Their bold color and streamlined construction reinforced the collection’s confident urban attitude.

Bekker softened the architectural mood with tactile textures and relaxed silhouettes. A caramel leather jacket lined with faux shearling, an ivory knit dress with sculpted shoulders and gathered hips, and a flowing cape blouse printed with an abstract black-and-white animal motif introduced movement without disrupting the collection’s clean aesthetic. Signature Marant staples also received subtle updates. Capri pants returned with delicate side bows at the calf, while low-rise pleated cream trousers and caramel-wash denim offered an easy alternative for women seeking relaxed tailoring with understated polish.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2026 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Marc Jacobs Fall 2026 Collection

Marc Jacobs Fall 2026 Collection

Marc Jacobs returned to the New York Public Library with a Fall 2026 collection that distilled fashion into its most uplifting form: fearless color, sculptural proportions, and unapologetic optimism. Staged just ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, the concise 31-look presentation proved that a powerful fashion statement doesn’t require excess—only conviction.

Titled “Gratitude,” the collection reflected Jacobs’ belief in creativity as an act of appreciation and self-expression. That spirit resonated throughout a lineup that transformed familiar references into something unmistakably his own.

Courtesy of Marc Jacobs

Drawing inspiration from fashion history, Jacobs reinterpreted translucent nylon layers reminiscent of Junya Watanabe’s Spring 1996, pairing sheer shirts, slip dresses, and trompe-l’œil lingerie with saturated shades of pink, cobalt, and violet. Bold opaque tights and bodysuits injected graphic contrast, while echoes of Prada Spring 2007, Louis Vuitton Spring 2009, Yves Saint Laurent Spring 1993, and Chanel 1993 surfaced through exaggerated proportions, vibrant color blocking, and playful styling.

The collection embraced a youthful sense of nostalgia without feeling retrospective. Stacked necklaces, layered belts, and sharply cropped silhouettes recalled early-2000s dressing, while polished construction kept every look contemporary.

Courtesy of Marc Jacobs

Color remained the show’s defining language. Jewel tones collided with neon brights across sculptural crocodile-effect mini skirts, PVC-fringed slip dresses, embroidered jackets, corset tops, and pleated polka-dot skirts layered over transparent knit and nylon foundations. The result was energetic, graphic, and unmistakably theatrical.

Although visually exuberant, the collection also demonstrated Jacobs’ commercial clarity. Statement separates—including embellished jackets, corset tops, and bold color-blocked pieces—offered runway impact while remaining highly wearable, reinforcing the designer’s ongoing balance between creativity and desirability.

Jacquemus Spring 2027 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Jacquemus Spring 2027 Collection

Jacquemus Spring 2027 Collection

Simon Porte Jacquemus returned to the Mediterranean for one of his most defining runway moments yet, staging his Spring 2027 show on the rocky coastline of L’Île-Rousse in Corsica. As the designer prepares to launch his first beauty line and fragrance next year, the collection reaffirmed the sun-drenched identity that has become synonymous with the Jacquemus universe.

Against a dramatic backdrop of sea and sky, guests including Isabelle Huppert, Manon Bannerman, and Park Seo-joon watched models descend from the island’s white lighthouse as sailboats offshore spelled out the Jacquemus name. The breathtaking setting reinforced the designer’s desire to reconnect with nature while celebrating a pivotal new chapter for the brand.

Courtesy of Jacquemus

“This collection had to feel unmistakably Jacquemus,” the designer explained ahead of the show. That vision translated into a refined summer wardrobe that balanced effortless ease with heightened sophistication. Crisp cotton poplin shirtdresses, sculptural bubble skirts, and sweeping taffeta palazzo pants elevated familiar warm-weather staples without sacrificing their relaxed appeal.

After several seasons of couture-inspired experimentation, Jacquemus returned to the bold silhouettes and vibrant color palette that first established his signature aesthetic. Sheer organza tank tops, supple leather versions of the same essential piece, sharply cut column bodices with open backs, and feather-trimmed evening gowns demonstrated a renewed confidence in graphic simplicity.

Courtesy of Jacquemus

The collection also showcased the technical progress of the house’s ateliers. Tailoring appeared cleaner and more precise, from fluid outerwear seamlessly integrated with scarf details to impeccably engineered dresses that moved effortlessly despite their sculptural volumes. Menswear followed the same philosophy, pairing lightweight summer tailoring with relaxed wool caftans, organza trousers, and nylon separates that reimagined casual dressing through unexpected proportions.

Accessories echoed the playful spirit of the collection. Miniature cone-shaped straw hats and soft ballet flats arrived in candy-like shades inspired by fresh fruit, reinforcing the joyful optimism that has long distinguished the brand.

Vetements Spring 2027 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Vetements Spring 2027 Collection

Vetements Spring 2027 Collection

Guram Gvasalia made his Paris Men’s Fashion Week debut with Vetements by challenging expectations. While officially showing on the menswear calendar, the collection placed women at its center, with Alek Wek, Sasha Pivovarova, and Sharon Stone leading a cast that blurred traditional gender boundaries by wearing many of the men’s looks.

Stone’s appearance became one of the show’s defining moments. Striding confidently through an industrial underpass in glossy patent thigh-high boots and a sharply tailored white jacket, she brought effortless authority to the collection. Whether an intentional nod to Demna’s recent Gucci debut or simply a coincidence, the casting reinforced Vetements’ long-standing fascination with cultural references and unexpected personalities.

Courtesy of Vetements

The venue reflected that same philosophy. Although invitations directed guests to the Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel, the runway unfolded beneath the hotel in a stark concrete tunnel, replacing spectacle with an intentionally raw, urban backdrop that has become part of the brand’s visual language.

Rather than chasing conceptual extremes, Gvasalia focused on clothing designed for everyday life. As he explained before the show, the goal was to understand “what people actually want to wear.” The result was a wardrobe built around familiar essentials: striped shirting, denim, Harrington jackets, motocross-inspired outerwear, trench coats, leather trousers, and streamlined pencil skirts.

Courtesy of Vetements

Several pieces demonstrated thoughtful versatility. Reversible Harrington jackets and trench coats revealed checked interiors and exposed labels reading simply “Clothes” instead of “Vetements,” underscoring the designer’s understated approach to branding. These subtle interventions suggested that practicality, rather than logos, remains the collection’s defining statement.

Courtesy of Vetements

While the lineup lacked the disruptive energy that once made Vetements a fashion provocateur, it reflected a noticeable shift toward refinement and commercial wearability. The collection prioritized function over shock value, offering elevated wardrobe staples with careful construction and restrained design details.

Spring 2027 may not mark Vetements’ most groundbreaking season, but it signals a brand increasingly interested in longevity over provocation. Gvasalia’s latest offering embraces the reality of contemporary dressing, proving that sometimes the strongest statement is simply creating clothes people genuinely want to wear.

Gabriela Hearst Resort 2027 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Gabriela Hearst Resort 2027 Collection

Gabriela Hearst Resort 2027 Collection

Gabriela Hearst continues to prove that true luxury is measured not by excess, but by craftsmanship. For Resort 2027, the Uruguayan designer delivers one of her most accomplished collections to date, building a wardrobe defined by artisanal excellence, refined textures, and effortless sophistication.

Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst

Lace and slip dresses emerge as the collection’s central themes, yet they are only the starting point of a far richer narrative. Every garment reflects Hearst’s relentless pursuit of exceptional technique—from intricate hand-knotting and custom-developed textiles to botanical dyeing methods that recreate the soft desert hues found in her watercolor sketches. Sustainability remains inseparable from the creative process, expressed through recycled leather bombers, responsibly sourced fabrics, and carefully engineered natural fibers.

The collection’s true strength lies in its remarkable construction. Long lace dresses appear in unexpected materials, including suede, cotton, and finely woven wool, creating layers of texture that feel both delicate and substantial. Airy silhouettes dominate the season, balanced by heavier outerwear designed for the Resort calendar’s late-year delivery.

Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst

Hearst’s commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship is evident throughout. Collaborations with artisan communities—including Manos del Uruguay, the Bolivian collective Madras & Artesanas, and New Mexico textile artist Josh Tafoya—bring centuries-old techniques into a contemporary luxury context. Handwoven cashmere, intricate knotting, Chimayo-inspired chevrons, sarape stripes, and richly textured embroidery transform classic tailoring into collectible pieces without sacrificing wearability.

Signature knitwear returns with subtle refinements, including cashmere sweaters delicately embellished with crystal beading that evokes antique porcelain florals. Tailoring reaches new heights through two-tone wool suiting that shifts with the light, while metallic-thread silk creates fluid eveningwear with a molten finish. Every piece reflects Hearst’s understated approach to luxury—quiet, intelligent, and meticulously executed.

The Resort offering also expands the designer’s menswear vision through elevated essentials crafted from premium linen, washed silk, and recycled cotton denim. Clean silhouettes, exceptional fabrication, and timeless proportions reinforce Hearst’s belief that longevity—not novelty—is the ultimate expression of modern fashion.

Absent Findings Presents SS/2027 Collection “What’s the Color of My Voice?” at Milano Fashion Week

Sarah Mitchell
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Absent Findings Presents SS/2027 Collection “What’s the Color of My Voice?” at Milano Fashion Week

Absent Findings Presents SS/2027 Collection “What’s the Color of My Voice?” at Milano Fashion Week

A surrealist vision where fashion becomes memory, emotion and artistic expression.

Absent Findings has officially unveiled its Spring/Summer 2027 collection during Milano Fashion Week, introducing What’s the Color of My Voice?, a proposal that transcends the traditional runway format to become an immersive artistic experience. Conceived as a surrealist fashion film, the collection explores the emotional power of clothing through memory, craftsmanship and imagination, reinforcing the Dubai-based house’s distinctive creative language.

Courtesy Of Absent Findings

Between Reality and Dreams

Inspired by the surrealist worlds of Leonora Carrington, the theatrical costume language of Oskar Schlemmer, Victorian ornamentation and classic preparatory uniforms, What’s the Color of My Voice? reflects on the way clothing shapes identity. Here, the uniform is no longer a symbol of conformity but an expression of intention, discipline and individuality.

Courtesy Of Absent Findings

Tailored jackets, shirts and trousers are interrupted by ruffles, gathered panels, decorative trims and vibrant accents that soften their structured silhouettes. Rather than decorating the garments, these interventions introduce emotion into precision, creating a dialogue between restraint and freedom. A renewed colour palette of olive, rust, burgundy, lilac, ochre and muted blues signals a confident evolution for the brand, embracing optimism without abandoning its intellectual depth.

A Universe Built Through Collaboration

More than a fashion collection, What’s the Color of My Voice? unfolds inside a surreal domestic apartment where every object, artwork and piece of furniture contributes to a larger emotional narrative. The accompanying film invites viewers into an intimate world where ordinary gestures become poetic, childhood imagination merges with theatricality, and fashion exists alongside art, interiors and storytelling.

Courtesy Of Absent Findings

This creative ecosystem is enriched through collaborations with artists Sara Kamar, Ahmed Emad, Inés Boubakri Haddad and Farah Soltani, while furniture by Forma Object becomes an active part of the visual narrative rather than a simple backdrop. Together, these elements reinforce Absent Findings’ belief that fashion is created through dialogue between disciplines, where garments become extensions of a carefully constructed universe.

Presented at Milano Fashion Week

With its official presentation during Milano Fashion Week, Absent Findings continues to establish itself as one of the most distinctive emerging voices in contemporary fashion. Under the creative direction of founder Shivin Singh, the brand once again demonstrates that technical craftsmanship, cultural memory and artistic experimentation can coexist, creating collections that invite audiences not only to look, but to reflect, revisit and discover new meanings with every encounter.

Elie Saab Resort 2027 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Elie Saab Resort 2027 Collection

Elie Saab Resort 2027 Collection

Elie Saab softened the boundaries between polished daywear and occasion dressing for Resort 2027, presenting a collection that embraced effortless styling without sacrificing the house’s signature glamour. Rooted in archival references, the lineup reimagined familiar silhouettes through cleaner proportions, relaxed layering, and a fresh approach to modern dressing.

Courtesy of Elie Saab

The shift was immediately apparent. Tailored trousers were paired with an oversized gingham tank and a lightweight sweater casually tied around the waist, while a Western-inspired denim shirt found an unexpected partner in a floor-length sequined lace skirt. The combinations signaled a more relaxed attitude—one that loosened the formality traditionally associated with the brand.

Daywear centered on crisp tailoring and coordinated separates in a palette of ivory, sand, and soft beige, punctuated by muted chartreuse. The vibrant green echoed last summer’s “Brat” aesthetic but felt considerably more sophisticated, suggesting garden parties rather than late-night clubs.

Courtesy of Elie Saab

Floral motifs appeared throughout the collection in a restrained, graphic language rather than overtly romantic prints, decorating ruffled mini dresses and asymmetrical tops. Tailoring remained sharp, from an oversized ivory pantsuit to slim black capri trousers styled with a sculpted corset and cropped bolero, balancing precision with contemporary ease.

Courtesy of Elie Saab

Eveningwear continued to showcase Saab’s mastery of embellishment, though with a lighter touch than in previous seasons. A column dress fading from lime to lilac, softly pleated blush gowns, and layered separates—including a sequined jacket worn over a voluminous mini skirt—offered a modern interpretation of occasion dressing. Corsetry also played a prominent role, most notably in a burgundy sequined bustier paired with a fluid black silk skirt.

Valentino Resort 2027 Collection

Sarah Mitchell
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Valentino Resort 2027 Collection

Valentino Resort 2027 Collection

Alessandro Michele continues to reshape Valentino through his signature blend of romance, eccentricity, and cultural storytelling. For Resort 2027, the designer embraced a spirit of youthful irreverence, presenting a collection that challenged traditional notions of elegance by pairing refined craftsmanship with everyday ease.

Courtesy of Valentino

The phrase “Villain Teen”, printed on tights and embroidered onto baseball caps, served as the collection’s playful manifesto. More than a slogan, it reflected Michele’s invitation to approach beauty with curiosity, freedom, and a touch of rebellion.

“I like the idea of bringing joy and lightness back to something often associated with grandeur and distance,” Michele said. “No one dresses according to rigid rules anymore.”

Courtesy of Valentino

That philosophy shaped every look. Tailored pleated trousers met signature Valentino jackets, while structured blazers were layered over hoodies and denim skirts. Collegiate-striped shirts, cardigans, and sheer blouses were tucked into track pants, and sportswear effortlessly coexisted with sequined jackets, suede heeled boots, and the latest Rockstud pumps.

The collection reimagined preppy dressing through Michele’s eclectic lens. Gathered tartan jackets, pleated skirts, and polished tailoring mixed with oversized faux-shearling coats, animal prints, and richly textured outerwear that felt like treasured heirlooms rediscovered by a new generation.

Versatility remained at the heart of the collection. Michele rejected the ceremonial wardrobe of the past in favor of clothing that moves fluidly between occasions, reflecting the way people dress today.

“There is a fascinating promiscuity between beautiful clothes and comfortable clothes,” he observed, suggesting that modern luxury lies in freedom rather than convention.

Courtesy of Valentino

The lookbook reinforced that message. Photographed inside the frescoed interiors of Milan’s historic Villa Gaia Gandini, the aristocratic setting contrasted with the relaxed confidence of its cast. Another recurring phrase—”You Can Come to My Villa”—appeared on quilted jackets and Valentino patches, transforming the grandeur of the location into an open invitation rather than an exclusive destination.

Behind the playful graphics lay exceptional craftsmanship. Chain-inspired detailing enriched sharply tailored cropped jackets, intricate embroidery elevated evening tailoring, and sculptural draping transformed seemingly simple cocktail dresses into objects of couture precision.

Sarah Jessica Parker Returns to Celebrate Fendi’s Iconic Baguette

Sarah Mitchell
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Sarah Jessica Parker Returns to Celebrate Fendi’s Iconic Baguette

Sarah Jessica Parker Returns to Celebrate Fendi’s Iconic Baguette

Few fashion accessories have shaped pop culture quite like Fendi’s Baguette. More than two decades after Sarah Jessica Parker immortalized the handbag as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City with the unforgettable line, “It’s not a bag, it’s a Baguette,” the actress reunites with the Roman fashion house to headline its latest global campaign.

Launching this week, the campaign celebrates the enduring legacy of the Baguette through a cast that spans Hollywood, music, and fashion. Parker is joined by Jessica Alba, Emma D’Arcy, Sophie Thatcher, Iris Law, Tecla Insolia, and Fendi ambassadors Bang Chan of Stray Kids, Song Yuqi of i-dle, Ren Meguro of Snow Man, and Mina of TWICE.

Courtesy Of Fendi

Photographed by Bibi Borthwick and set to Addison Rae’s Fame Is a Gun, the campaign presents each personality with their own interpretation of the iconic handbag. Short statements—including “It’s mine,” “It’s my attitude,” “It’s controlled chaos,” “It’s my family,” and “It’s history”—underscore the Baguette’s evolution from luxury accessory to cultural symbol.

The campaign also marks a new chapter for the house’s most recognizable handbag. Under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Baguette has returned to its original silhouette and signature 26424 design code, first reintroduced for the Fall 2026 collection.

While unveiling the Resort 2027 collection, Chiuri expanded on her vision for the revival, introducing a new parchment-colored Baguette accented with black studded leather. Reflecting on the bag’s legacy, she described it as more than a fashion phenomenon.

“We brought back the Baguette that I loved so much by returning to its origins,” Chiuri said. “Many people think it succeeded simply because it became fashionable, but it was actually a very special project—one that brought together different ateliers and craftsmanship, from leather goods to fashion.”

The latest campaign reinforces what fashion has known for years: the Baguette is more than an It bag. It remains one of luxury’s most enduring design icons, and with Sarah Jessica Parker once again at its center, Fendi reminds audiences why the handbag continues to define generations of style.

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