Limited edition Hermès Birkin bags are some of the highest-priced handbags in the world, and if you’re a collector, you might even consider them as a part of your investment portfolio. Coupled with the Hermès brand history, tradition, exclusivity, and unparalleled craftsmanship, the demand for these bags drives the price year over year. In this post, read up on some of the most coveted Birkin handbags in the world, and shop from top resellers.
We all love handbags as accessories, and while some designer bags can be investments in terms of quality craftsmanship – other brands can actually appreciate on the resale market.
Enter limited edition Hermès Birkin bags.
But why is a Birkin considered a good “investment?”
Ask any fashion reseller, and you’ll get a unanimous answer – Birkins are famous for holding and often growing in value on the secondary market if they remain in good condition.
According to BagHunter, the Birkin saw an average annual appreciation of 14.2% over a period of 35 years, and bags can easily go for multiples of their original in-boutique pricing. Of course, there are exceptions to this trend, and the state and relevance of each handbag influences how well it will do on the secondary market.
However, by and large, year over year, Hermès Birkins, alongside Kellys (and certain Chanels, but that’s for another story) lead the pack of handbags that appreciate in value on the resale market. While they may not be the best choice for your first designer handbag because of the hefty price tag, if you’re a seasoned collector, Hermès Birkin bags are likely already on your radar.
These top-tier Birkin bags even have a league of their own, and limited edition Hermès Birkin bags come with even more scarcity and collector’s appeal.
In order to be offered a Birkin bag as an Hermès client, you typically (there are exceptions) have to have a spending history with the brand – and Birkin bags can come with months or years-long waiting lists.
In this shoppable post, we’re rounding up the most coveted limited edition Hermès Birkin bags that serious fashion collectors will want to keep on their radar. We’ve included design history and inspiration, average resale price range, and when each bag was introduced to the fashion house.
Keep reading to learn the details of each of these collectible Birkin bags and their wardrobe potential.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to be an investment guide. Our writers follow strict editorial practices to produce the highest quality resources, and only link to reputable brands and resellers. However, it is up to the reader to use their discernment when making purchases. We have included a due diligence checklist below for your convenience. Always carefully assess products and brands before purchasing.
Below, we’re covering:
- The top 10 best limited edition Birkin bags
- Do Birkin Bags appreciate in value?
- Due diligence checklist when purchasing from a reseller
This article contains affiliate links.
Top 10 Limited Edition Birkin Bags That Collectors Should Have On Their Radar
1. The Hermès Himalaya Birkin
The Himalaya tops the list of coveted limited edition Birkins and is in high demand as one of the rarest Birkin bags on the market. The white Himalaya bag was introduced in 2007, and broke records when it sold for over $380k at Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2017. The Himalaya is made of rare Niloticus crocodile leather, with bags available both with and without diamond embellished hardware. This limited edition Birkin handbag is custom-dyed to achieve a “snow-capped” mountain effect that’s a nod to the bag’s namesake mountain range.
Reportedly, Hermès only offers Himalaya Birkins to its VIP clients – which makes it even more difficult to obtain especially in store, but also on the secondary market.
The average Hermès Himalaya bag price is around $60k in-store, but increases exponentially with resellers, with bags going for upwards of $100k. The resale prices of Himalaya Birkin bags are influenced by factors such as the size and state of the bag, as well as high demand and rarity.
Availability: This Himalaya Birkin is currently for sale at Rebag and ships within the United States.
Condition: Great. Minor wear and slight discolouration.
2. The Hermès Porosus Crocodile Birkin
Next up on the list of limited edition Birkin bags, is the Hermès Porosus. The Porosus crocodile leather bags are considered to be the “king of exotics,” as they hold the highest resale value among Hermès exotic leathers, which also includes lizard, ostrich and alligator leathers.
The Porosus handbags in particular are made of crocodile leather sourced from Australia, and carry some of the highest prices among Birkin bags, both in-store and on the resale market, thanks to their exclusivity.
Earlier this year, a Bleu Jean Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 25 went for over $193k at Sotheby’s auction.
Availability: This red Hermès Porosus model is currently available at Farfetch, and is final sale.
Condition: Like new.
3. The Hermès Sunrise Sellier Birkin
The Sunrise Sellier is another limited edition Hermès Birkin handbag to keep on your radar. The Sellier design was previously reserved for Kelly bags and was reimagined in the Birkin model in 2014. It provides a more structured shape than the classic Birkin Retourne models. These handbags are made of Epsom and Madame leather, and “Sellier” refers to the style of visible stitching at the bags’ seams. The Sunrise Sellier limited edition colourway includes lime, rose, confetti, sesame & terre battue.
This model also comes in the Sunset colourway, with the colours abricot, blue agate, magnolia and rouge casaque.
Availability: This handbag is currently available for sale at Rebag.
Condition: Excellent.
Sunset Sellier Birkin
4. The Hermès Shadow Birkin
The Shadow Birkin was first introduced to the Birkin series in 2009 under then creative director, Jean Paul Gaulthier. It takes a conceptual approach to the classic Birkin bag hardware, creating a relief design that protrudes from the leather. Because it doesn’t have all of the usual hardware, Shadow Birkins are actually lighter than the classic styles.
The Shadow Birkin, being a limited edition model, is particularly rare and highly sought after.
Availability: This camel coloured Shadow Birkin is available at Rebag.
Condition: Excellent.
5. The Hermès Tressage Birkin
The Tressage style was introduced to the Birkin design in 2018. The name “tressage” refers to the braiding technique of the design along the front of the handbag.
The unique design and limited selection of the Tressage Birkin make it a coveted piece among Hermès collectors, with prices starting at around $20,000.
Availability: This Tressage Birkin is currently for sale at Rebag.
Condition: Excellent.
6. The Hermès Ghillies Birkin
The Hermès Ghillies Birkin is a limited edition model released in 2012 as part of the haute joaillerie collection, and was inspired by the Irish brogue shoe, which features intricate serrations also present in the Ghillies Birkin design.
The Ghillies Birkin’s unique design and limited availability have made it a highly sought-after piece among collectors, and resale prices start at around $30,000USD.
Availability: This pre-owned Hermès Birkin bag is currently available at Farfetch.
Condition: Excellent.
7. The Hermès Cargo Birkin
The Cargo Birkin bag was introduced in 2020, and takes a more practical approach to the classic Birkin bag. In a way, this design is a nod to Jean Louis Dumas’s original design intention – to create a wearable, usable, and practical handbag for a new and busy mother. The 35cm size even comes with a removable cup holder.
If you’re looking for a Birkin bag that has a more casual, edgy feel, that’s still structured and well-made, the Cargo Birkin is a good collector’s option.
Availability: This preloved Hermès model is available at Rebag.
Condition: Great. Minor wear.
8. In & Out Hermès Birkin
The Hermès In & Out Birkin was introduced at the end of 2021, designed with the concept of a transparent bag in which you could see the contents of the wearer’s purse.
The bag has painted images of classic Hermès accessories like the Rodeo charm, a leather pencil, a dust pouch, lipstick, and a coin purse, all referencing to the Hermès brand’s equestrian roots. Reminiscent of gingerbread, this bag’s colourway is called “Biscuit.”
Availability: This handbag is currently available for sale at Rebag.
Condition: Excellent.
9. The Hermès Touch Birkin
Introduced in 2017 to the family of Hermès Touch bags and accessories – the “Touch” Birkins showcase a small accent piece of exotic leather.
The Touch handbags and accessories are often created in Togo grain leather, and incorporate a small piece of exotic leather, like in this blue Hermès Touch Birkin bag. In certain limited edition handbags, different exotic skins like alligator, ostrich or lizard are also paired together.
Touch Birkins are rare bags to find, and the “touch” of exotic leather increases the price.
Availability: Available at The Luxury Closet to UAE-based customers only.
10. The Hermès Fray Fray Birkin
The Fray Fray limited edition Hermès Birkin bag was launched in the summer of 2021.
The stand out design of this bag is the frayed twill cotton canvas that covers the body of the handbag, with the edges left undone. These bags have a summery feel, thanks to the canvas twill weave, called the “H Twill” weave.
Availability: The Fray Fray Birkin is available at Rebag.
Condition: Excellent.
Do Birkin bags appreciate in value?
According to a BagHunter report, the Hermès Birkin has a history of increasing in value by 14.2% annually over a period of 35 years.
If you purchase a Birkin in store, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000 USD. And prices increase drastically on the secondary market. Below are the average resale prices of each of the limited edition Birkins we’ve included in this list.
Note that prices are in $USD, and there are several factors that influence how much Birkin bags cost. The resale value of individual Birkin bags will depend on the state and style of each handbag.
- The Himalaya Birkin: Resale >$100k
- The Porosus Birkin: Resale >$70k
- The Sellier Sunrise Birkin: Resale $30k-$40k
- The Shadow Birkin: Resale $30k-$80k
- The Tressage Birkin: Resale >$30k
- The Hermès Ghillies Birkin: Resale >$30k
- The Cargo Birkin: Resale >$40k
- The In & Out Birkin: Resale $30k-$70k
- The Hermès Touch Birkin: Resale >$40k
- The Fray Fray Birkin: Resale >$20k
So, if you’re shopping for a Birkin bag with resale value, consider factors like wear and tear, and wear-abiliy of the style (for example, neutral and classic, vs. bold statement pieces).
In addition, how in-demand a purse is at a given time, and whether it’s a limited edition Birkin bag will influence how much a given handbag can be sold on the secondary market. So in certain cases, bold styles like the Himalaya or Porosus can be worth more.
Due diligence when purchasing from a reseller
If you’re purchasing a limited edition Birkin bag directly from an Hermès boutique or auction house, then authenticity isn’t something you will have to double-check.
However, the resale market can be a different story (although it’s a lot easier to obtain a limited edition Birkin Hermès second-hand) because you will have to take an extra step to ensure that the handbags are authentic.
Each of the Birkin resellers that we have listed in this post provide authenticity guarantees. They include Rebag, Farfetch, and The Luxury Closet. You can read the authenticity guarantees on each of their respective websites.
However, we also recommend that you ensure you’ve done your due diligence. That way you can rest easy knowing that you’re adding a true gem to your luxury handbag collection!
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- Choose a reputable reseller (reviews can be helpful for this)
- Research the handbag you’re purchasing to understand the design specifications
- Consider the condition of the handbag – how much wear and tear are you comfortable with?
- Ensure that the reseller provides an authenticity guarantee & carefully review their return policy
- Depending on the reseller, some items don’t ship internationally – so you may need to plan ahead
With a little planning, research, and shopping, you’ll be sure to find the perfect limited edition Hermès Birkin bag to add to your luxury handbag collection.
Looking for more fashion guides like this one? Read our round up of low key luxury handbag brands that are chic and discreet.
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