‘It is almost like an investment’: Ameesha Patel explains why a Hermes Birkin is considered to be the ‘Rolls-Royce of bags’

Talking about the complicated maintenance routine these bags require, Patel further elaborated: “I care for them a lot – airing, leather, wipes, leather polishing, I keep them in sun, avoid fungus growing on them because Mumbai’s weather is so bad, so humid, worst for leather bags and shoes.”

“Bachon ko jaise massage karke dhoop mein daalte hain (the way we massage babies and let them sunbathe), same way you have to polish bags and keep them in sun. It’s a process,” she said.

In a previous YouTube vlog with Farah Khan, Patel had shared that she tries to replace her void of kids with bags. “I don’t have kids, so I have bags. I am collecting bags since the age of 16, I have seen my mother and aunties collect bags. We are a very well-dressed family, they love accessories. So, I have seen this since childhood and that’s why I developed this love for bags. My shoes and bags always used to match even when I was 5-6 years old. I always had perfume bottle and comb. I was feminine always, was also girly girl but life made me masculine. I know all designers’ history and about their journey.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9)

What makes the Birkin so special?

The Birkin bag quickly gained popularity, becoming synonymous with luxury and exclusivity. Its association with Jane Birkin, who was a style icon in her own right, further elevated its status and made it an enduring symbol of wealth and sophistication. The bag features high-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and a signature design that has made it one of the most sought-after luxury accessories in the world.

Actor and singer Jane Birkin is known to have famously inspired the iconic Hermès Birkin bag. And now almost 37 years later, the original bag made its way to a Sotheby’s auction. Back in 1981, Birkin was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the then chief executive officer of Hermes, on a flight from Paris to London. During the flight, Jane Birkin placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment, and the contents of the bag fell out, leaving her frustrated with its lack of functionality.

While she was complaining of the lack of large bags on the market, especially “for her needs as a young mother”, Dumas “immediately sketched a supple and spacious rectangular holdall with a burnished flap and saddle stitching. With a dedicated space for her baby’s bottles!” according to Hermes’ official website.

Dumas collaborated with Birkin to design a handbag that would bear her name. The Birkin bag was born from this collaboration, combining functionality and style in a timeless manner.