Written by: Grace VanVranken
Editorial Content by: Brooke Domer
In 1983 Jane Birkin boarded an airplane to London clutching her signature basket bag. While getting on the flight her Hermes notebook fell to the ground and she complained into thin air that there was no handbag large enough to hold all of her papers. In true Jane Birkin fashion, of course, Jean-Louis Dumas, CEO of Hermes at the time, just happened to be sitting first class on the exact same aircraft. He offered to make her a bag that would fit all of her papers with ease and a year later the Birkin Bag was born.
Flashforward four decades: The Birkin Bag has become more than just an accessory, but the most extravagant security blanket for women from Madison Avenue to Palm Jumeirah. She’s a staple at the Emirates Bar In The Sky and has been the muse of countless mood boards, rap songs, and an infamous Sex And The City Episode.
This year, the iconic handbag turns 40—the age when anyone with a social security number typically starts to spiral. Plastic surgery, the idea of buying a Porsche, and questions about the meaning of it all slowly start to enter the group chat. But not the Birkin. Somewhere between that flight to London and the rise of the Kardashians, Jane Birkin's namesake became the standard of aging naturally. ‘Top off any look with a Birkin- the older the better just like your husband and your money, Tinx says in her infamous ‘Rich Mom Upper East Side’ Tiktok. Sure anyone can charm a sales associate or wait by The Real Real with bated breath to own a Togo Birkin 30 in Jaune Ambre, but what does it say about you if the most expensive thing you own is treated like just another part of your closet? No lotions or potions needed to preserve her phenomenon.
We visited the handbag of every moment at the walk-in closet of her apartment at 740 Park to talk about longevity, Jacob Eloridi, The Louis Vuitton Speedy, Leather Spa, and of course the Olsens. She tells all.
***This is CAMP. Birkin Bags do many things, talking is not one of them. To be read with a sense of humor.
Happy Almost Birthday. You're turning 40 this year. How does it feel?
Thank you very much. It feels good. People always say this when it comes to getting older- but I have never felt younger.
Can you elaborate?
What I’m trying to say is that I’ve seen a lot of life over the last 40 years. I started as a vessel for Jane’s paper goods and now I see girls on Tiktok who probably don’t even know who Jane Birkin is declaring they would sell a kidney to own a counterpart of mine. Have you seen what you can buy a Balenciaga Moto Bag for at resale? It’s rough out there. Turning 40 feels like a good time to remind oneself ‘You still got it’.
The number 40 causes people to do a lot of crazy things to their appearance, facelifts, Morpheus, liposuction…the list goes on. But you’ve taken a stance on aging naturally.
It was never meant to be that way you know. There are days, like everyone else, when I’m like, “If I could only erase this bump and take a hot bath all of my problems would go away”. But then I’ll see a Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile 30 PHW, and I’m like- yeah she looks great but probably only left the house once in her life. Where’s the fun in that?
Are you calling yourself low maintenance?
Do you know how much I cost? Don’t be insane.
Over the years there have been a lot of ‘It Bags’- do you ever worry about becoming one of them?
Of course, but as you get older you care a lot less. I think I’m at the point where I’m officially not going anywhere. I’ve been to court with Cardi B, traveled the world with Kate, and have standing tea with Victoria once a month. Can the Louis Vuitton Speedy say that? We are the sum of our experiences.
In the last few years Jacob Elordi has amassed quite a handbag collection…but, he’s yet to be seen with you publically. Is there any tea there?
How old is Jacob? 25, 26? He’s always bouncing around town in some sort of crossbody. I’ve told all the Sales Associates if Mr. Elordi wants to dabble with Hermes to bump him to the top of the list. Does he want an Ashton and Demi moment? Unclear. Not sure I’m his type.
So let’s talk Olsens…
Oh God. What about them?
They, obviously, love you, but there’s a lot of talk these days that the Margaux is the new Birkin—
You don’t want to talk Olsens. You want to talk about Margaux.
Exactly.
I have nothing bad to say about any of them. Ashley, Mary Kate, or Margaux. The twins have been amazing advocates for me, I mean I’ve known them since they were teenagers! I remember Mary Kate coming to What Goes Around Comes Around and leaving with three of me. I was like ‘Who is this child-bride in a caftan, where are her parents?!’ But they are great. I think part of the reason I’ve been able to age so well is because of them. Nothing is precious to those girls, we’ve been through it all from hangovers at Charles de Gaulle, The Met, you name it.
And what about Margaux?
You know, of course, at first I was a little jealous, and insecure. But the truth is- once you’ve been around so long it gets lonely at the top. No disrespect, but I’m not going to make friends on the shelf with a Mini Jodie or a Celine Triomphe. Nice girls, but we don’t take up the same space…what would we talk about? They hold lipstick and cigarettes, I hold books and secrets. I’m looking forward to getting to know Margaux better. There’s only so much Kelly and I can reminisce on after all these years.
Favorite Celebrity Moment?
All I really care about is anything with Jane. They named me after her for a reason!
Ok, so set the record straight. Would you ever go to Leather Spa?
Do I seem like the type that would judge a glow-up? Of course, I would. To me, 40 years old is just getting started. I’m sure I’ll need a tune-up here or there.
lol loved this!
Hahahah this is great