Keeping Up With The Kardashians & Their Birkin Bags

Kardashians & The Birkin Bag

A Match Made in PR Handbag Heaven

The Hermes Birkin Bag...a sign of of infinite wealth, exclusivity and a lavish, elitist lifestyle. The cost for A Birkin bag starts at $9000 (R61 723) and goes up to $150 000 (over a million rands) - for a single piece. The waiting list for one of these leather treasures is about 2-6 years. Every fashionista around the globe aspires to own one.

The Kardashians...A family 'brand' who are famous for absolutely nothing besides being famous. Their claim to fame is by playing being themselves on their hit reality TV show, 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'.

And it's safe to say that being filmed while going about their daily lives is really paying off. Especially for the Kardashian family envoy, Kim. She bought seven Birkin Bags in one year, whereas most stars can only ever own one in their lifetimes. Her mum, Kris and sisters Khloe & Kourtney also own a few Birkins each - making this family the ultimate marketing tools for Hermes, without them having to ask.

Last year, it was reported that Kim spent over $100 000 in just one trip to the Hermes store in Paris. She owns a Birkin in black, white, grey, chocolate brown, military green, bright yellow and tan. She carries one everywhere, from the mall to the main street and the gym. You know that you've really made it big when you can throw your dirty gym wear into a $15 000 bag. Kim had also paid $30 000 (R205 745) for an exclusive Birkin Bag made from rare crocodile skin. I can't imagine that killing exotic animals for their hide is worth it's price in fashion. 

The Birkin Bag is named after English actress Jane Birkin, who by chance sat next to Jean-Louis Dumas (CEO of Hermes) on a flight in 1981. She complained to him about not having a bag large enough to carry all her belongings, and the next thing you know, Jean created the Birkin Bag especially for her. If I had to complain about my bag size on a plane, I would just be told to travel lighter.

Kourtney (left) has a Birkin in vivid orange and Khloe has one in yellow, black and purple. 

The Birkin is nothing more than a status symbol. Being seen with one boasts to the world that while impoverished countries in Africa are in dire need of financial aid; you can nonchalantly hold your $100 000 Birkin Bag under your arm without batting any of your fake lashes.