Hermès has long been synonymous with luxury. Just one of their bags can cost half a million. There are several factors that affect the price of a product.
The main reason is that the products are handmade. The company controls every segment of production, and you wouldn’t believe what it all entails. From managing large plantations to handcrafting the finest details – Hermès leaves nothing to chance.
They are equally adept at marketing. They have the power to make even the richest customers stand in queues and wait for their dream bag. This does not mean that the company is cruel to its consumers, quite the opposite.
They want you to feel special, and you should if you have the opportunity to buy their expensive products. Not everyone can do that, and I will reveal to you some interesting facts about this brand. After that, judge for yourself whether he is overrated or not.
When was Hermès created?
They have the most expensive bags in the world and they are very hard to come by. Why is that? The brand is one of the oldest in France, and let’s go back to 1837 when it was founded. Inspiration is the Greek god – the messenger of commerce. First, she was engaged in the production of riding equipment.
If you’ve been wondering what the chariot logo is for, that’s exactly why. He actually appears only in 1950. Charles Emil took over his father’s shop and they were known all over the world. It was a brand that was bought only by the elite coming from Europe, Asia, America, and Russia.
As I said before, horse equipment was mostly sold there. Since it was a sport for the aristocracy, anyone who wanted a luxury piece of equipment would come to Paris and buy it from their shop. Later, the company was taken over by his sons, and that is exactly the brand we know today.
In 2001, they appeared on the Internet – they founded their own website. Although I doubt anyone could buy a bag online. However, it is at the very top of the brands, but it is not a conglomerate.
When did the first Hermès bag appear?
In 1900 we reach the first bag. It is designed specifically for riders to carry their saddle with them. The orange boxes that are automatically associated with the brand were not there from the beginning.
They appeared after the Second World War because then there was a shortage of original beige and yellowish gold boxes. Later, they received various nominations for the best packaging awards. Today there are over 200 different sizes and shapes of these boxes.
I’m sure there are places where you can see what they looked like in the past. For example, it is a museum of antiquities. 1922. comes out, a travel bag, a collection of scarves, scarves, and the first perfume.
In a couple of years, the brand entered the American market, and before that, they were only in Europe. What contributes to the uniqueness of the company is certainly the time of its creation. If we go back many years, many famous fashion houses not only did not exist but were not even planned.
For example, Dolce&Gabbana was created in 1985, which is much later. Perhaps the only brand that can match it in age is Louis Vuitton, but I won’t compare them.
How Hermès bags are made?
If you would like to work as an artisan, you have to complete a two-year course before you can assemble your first bag. This significantly slows down production, as only 200 craftsmen work annually. Each of them works 18-25 hours on one bag, and sometimes longer.
They focus on quality, not quantity, and try to choose their customers carefully. They don’t want their bag to be owned by just anyone. He must know the history of Hermès. In return, customers have credit with them for later purchases.
They are mostly based on leather products, but you can also find silk accessories. Like any brand, they have expanded into other markets. They even got to the car. Everything is produced in France in their mini-factories and workshops.
Why is it difficult to register on the list of consumers in the Hermès store?
The more people want a brand, the more people buy it. However, if the majority can buy it, the interest decreases. This is one of the reasons why the process of buying in a store is so complicated even if you have enough money to do so.
The cheapest bags are around $4,000. Prices rise in accordance with the financial situation in the world, as well as in accordance with the model of the bag. Even so, it does not mean that you will be able to buy it. Therefore, you will have to acquire consumer rights.
With them, there is no product policy, only an image policy. This means that the focus is mostly on quality and refinement. This is another reason why they avoid mass production and cooperation with other brands. Each bag is signed by the creator of Hermès, and the main strength of the company is the love of craftsmanship.
Is it easy to make a replica Hermès bag?
They avoid using cheap consumer power. They are rightly proud of the number of working hours and the effort of the staff because only one craftsman works on the bag for 18-25 hours. Their dedication borders on madness.
For example, silk scarves are made only from silk that is produced on their farm in Brazil. That way they can guarantee you quality. It is very easy to recognize a fake bag. No one but the company’s artisans knows how to make an authentic Hermès bag.
Besides looks, price is the next red flag to consider. The original will never be discounted. The sale is published twice a year, and the details depend on the cities. These are products like sandals and slippers, but never their main product – a bag.
History of the Hermès Birkin Bag
Due to its design, hand-crafting, and perfection, Birkinka is a luxurious status symbol. It all started when Jane Birkin couldn’t fit her wicker basket with a lid above the plane seat. Picking things up from the floor, she complains to her companion that she can’t find a suitable travel bag.
They spent the rest of the summer coming up with the look of the ideal handbag, she said that when Hermès had such a bag, only then would she buy it. Everything else is history. The style icon among women allowed her last name to be the name of the product, and since then she has received one every year.
She would sell some models and use all the money for charity.
How to buy a product at Hermès?
If you would like to order a bag, you should register on the wishlist. You will usually wait 6-12 months, but sometimes customers wait longer than that. You can choose every detail of the product. If you don’t want to wait that long, you can buy other products.
These are jewellery, clothes, shoes, or perfumes. You go to the store for the first time with someone who already has his own sales assistant. He will help you with your purchase, by contacting you via e-mail. Whatever you want, convey it to him and you will be able to complete the purchase.
My advice is to choose SA with experience since they have an advantage over others. Then you become part of the system, which means you can also buy your first bag. Pick a few favourites, send them suggestions and wait for them to call you.
Conclusion:
Even if you are not a fashion connoisseur, you know about a bag made of extremely rare leather. The Hermès crocodile was sold at auction for $400,000. It required more than 25 hours of work by a craftsman, and before that, a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience.
In order for one man to be able to create such a masterpiece, a serious company like Hermès needs to stand behind it. They use only the finest materials, the most professional staff and adhere to long-standing traditions. So they are more than a brand.
The dedication and love they feel for the bags are priceless. That is why they want consumers with whom they share the same views and great passion. I believe you now agree with me that their bags are not overrated, they are special and deserve the same treatment.
