Long known as a covetable collectibles amongst the rich and famous, Hermès bags have become a status symbol for its owners. Each bag comes with a price tag usually associated with real estate, and a waiting lists of up to five years.
Each bag takes between two days to two years to make by hand by French artisans. So Hermès bags are usually only seen being worn by socialites and celebrities like Victoria Beckham, who is said to own a collection worth around R31 million!
HERMÈS HIMALAYAN CROCODILE BIRKIN – R4 MILLION
This handbag features 40cm of crocodile skin and its hardware is made of yellow gold. The exotic texture of the bag is made using agate to polish the spots of the ‘saltwater crocodiles’ skin to a ‘Lisse Finish’. The clasp of the bag is 28cm in length, featuring 10 carats worth of white diamonds, which makes it the 5th most expensive Birkin.
In 2016 this Hermès Birkin bag broke global records to become the most expensive bag ever to sell at auction for a record R4 million. That particular bag was made from rare Himalayan crocodile skin with white gold detailing and encrusted with over 200 diamonds, it is so rare that hardly anyone besides celebrities like Kylie Jenner own one.
GINZA TANAKA CRAFTED HERMÈS BIRKIN – R25 MILLION
This limited-edition Hermès Birkin bag was designed and handcrafted by the world famous Japanese designer Ginza Tanaka. The body of the bag is completely platinum, skilfully encrusted with 2,000 shimmering diamonds. This gives the bag an appearance of water droplets dripping down the side!
The strap of the bag boasts an 8-carat pear-shaped diamond. What makes the strap extraordinary is that it is detachable and can be worn separately as either a necklace or a bracelet, this turns the bag into a clutch with matching jewellery. So if you have R25 million to spend on a bag, why not treat yourself to an million dollar investment-worthy handbag made of diamond and platinum?
HERMÈS ROUGE POROUS CROCODILE HANDBAG – R32 MILLION
With its striking red colour, porous crocodile skin and 18 carat white gold hardware, this Birkin bag is a definite eye-catcher. If the colour, exotic material and white gold hardware don’t catch your eyes, you will definitely be in awe of the diamond detailing. Being the only handbag of its kind, its exclusivity makes it become more expensive with each sale, currently worth not less than R32 million.
HERMÈS ROSE GOLD KELLY – R34 MILLION
This impressive work of art, was made with the help of shoe designer and jeweller Pierre Hardy. The detailed solid rose gold and compilation of 1,160 diamonds took 2 years to manufacture.
The crocodile leather flaps on the bag were made using rose gold, making the bag ultra luxurious yet unique in its design. Only 12 were ever made making it exclusive and collectible. With the amount of diamonds and rose gold, there’s no doubt that this exclusive R34 million Hermès bag, is worth more than its weight in gold.
HERMÈS CHAINE D’ANCRE – R35 MILLION
Another masterpiece by Pierre Hardy, this bag features elaborate and intricate styling which took the artist two years to make. The bag is adorned with 1,160 diamonds adding up to 33.94 carats.
This bag is part of Hermès Haute Bijouterie collection and only three were ever made, making it a very valuable collectable, sure to increase in value exponentially over time. To own this artwork, you will have to spend over R35 million.
This bag is mostly associated with high-end fashionistas and celebrities, even royalty. So if you want to wow the world with your designer fashion collection, this is one way to achieve celebrity style status.
