The Beginning of a Love Affair...

It all began from a recent trip this past November. My partner Jeff surprised me with an early Christmas Hannukah present by taking me to the most romantic location in the planet~Paris. The City of Lights did not disappoint and between the Tour de Eiffel that was bathe in magical blue light and the ever enigmatic Mona Lisa, I couldn't ask for more.

We did the usual tourist fair of strolling down Champs- Élysées, sipping coffee at a sidewalk cafe, and the endless round of museums that holds the world's most famous artworks. It was on our way back to the US as we were killing time at Charles de Gaulle airport that I decided to visit the duty free shops. I ended up going home carrying a big orange paper bag much to the excitement of a group of ladies on our flight. It was November 11.

My very first Hermès is a Sac Troca MM Vertical. Spacious and has numerous compartments, this bi-material tote is just what I need for all weather conditions. It came in a huge, orange box with tissue paper pillows. I was extremely worried that it might not fit in the overhead bin but it came home with us safe and sound.

Moments after we touchdowned at Dulles International, I immediately took a snapshot of our trunk and sent it to all my friends via MMS without any caption.

Within a minute or two, the orange bag garnered quite a few responses. Of course, I couldn't wait to show it to my friends so, the following weekend when we had a welcome back brunch, I had it with me.

What came next...

Like a hungry wolf, I wanted to devour anything and everything about Hermès. First stop was Wikipedia. Like most of the brand names that I love, Hermès had a long history of manufacturing luxury goods. It has been rumoured that coronations were even postponed until the atelier was finished with its exquisitely crafted carriage that would convey the royal to their destination.
Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès (1801 - 1878), a German Protestant,it began as a harness workshop. His goal was to fashion the finest wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade.Every bit of information was quickly filed away by me and by the end of the week I was hooked. It was time to treck to my local boutique.

The Local H Boutique

There are two local Hermès boutiques in the greater Washington area. The main one being in Fairfax Square. Located across from the ever populous Tysons Corner Mall, the boutique was recently renovated a mere two years ago. Housing an array of leather goods, men's and women's ready to wear, shoes and housewares, this quaint little store was the first target for my Mission H. Photo credit: The Examiner

Little Somethin'

Undaunted, I waltzed in like a seasoned shopper on November 17, 2008. I browsed a little, touched a garment here and there and spouted insipid questions to make myself more comfortable within the H's hallowed confines. Thankfully, a bright and cheerful associate was the recipient of my queries. Only her 5th day on the job, she was all eagerness to impart to me her knowledge about Hermès. She showed me wallets, scarves, and other bits around the store. Something small, I said to myself. I beelined for the fragrance section and decided on Terre d'Hermes as my first US boutique purchase.

She wrapped it in a nice orange bag and as we were chit chatting away to break the silence, out of nowhere she dropped the innocent enough question: "Would you like to see any of our bags?"

First touch of Hermès Leather

My answer of course was an immediate "yes!". She then proceeded to take out a huge binder containing each and every product that Hermès had to offer. We leafed together page after page of the different selections and materials. Then came the section containing the bags that Hermès is famous for, the Birkin. I summoned every ounce of control in my voice to appear casual in my questioning. "Is there really a waitlist?"; "How soon can you get a bag?"; "What type of leathers does it come in?". As hard as I tried, she saw through me. She paused and said: "I'll be back. I want to show you something". She came out with that big orange box that at this point was growing on me. Layers of tissue was unraveled to reveal a Birkinesque bag called the Jypsière. Sporting the iconic turnstyle lock and belt, the Jypsière can be worn on the shoulder or across the body. It was the first time that I saw how the flap can be folded inside the bag so as to leave it open.
During my internet research I have encountered this bag when the creative director of Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier ran with it in the Hermès Fall Winter 2008-2009 show. He patterned it after a hunting satchel and says: "The idea is to have a functional, nonchalant bag slung across the shoulder, combined with the iconic details of the Hermès bags,".
It fitted me perfectly! But I wasn't ready to buy and so we packed it up again and that was the end of my first visit to an H boutique.

Getting on the waitlist

A few days later, a friend of mine and I decided to pop in the boutique again. He just wanted to see what is all the fuss about the Birkin. Mind you, he is a bag lover like me so we entered there with eagerness in our faces. Unfortunately, my associate was not there but we were helped by a very chic looking girl who was about our age. Currently they had a Kelly 32 on display. My friend immediately asked if he could try it.

We were musing about how small it is and that it would be better if it were in a bigger size. As we were admiring it, we then suavely inserted into the conversation about getting on the waitlist for a Birkin. Without any hesitation the associate explained to us the process and how there is no commitment whatsoever if the bag does indeed become available in the store. They apparently do not know what "Paris" would send them. She then brought out the swatches of different leathers and colors and explained to us in detail their differences and the pros and cons of each material. She then pulled out a sheet to acquire our information and wrote down our preferences. At this point, we weren't seriously considering buying but if the two year waitlist is true, then we might be when we do get the call.

Black Friday

It was on November 28, 2008, the Friday after Thanksgiving that I decided to visit the other Hermès boutique. This one is located close to the DC-Maryland border and is housed inside the Neiman Marcus in Mazza Galleria Mall. I was toying with the idea of getting an Evelyne but at that time, I did not know that it came in three sizes: PM, GM and TGM.

It was here that I met the loveliest associate ever. I called her beforehand to see if they had an Evelyne in stock. They had one in orange but the GM was quite small for my taste. In passing I inquired if they ever get Birkins here. She said that they do but seldom and that they had a long waitlist. I wrote down on a piece of paper my name and number and said: "Call me, any Birkin, any size" and left. Photo: Kallie Girl

La Danse du Cheval

By this time, my Hermès fever was at its peak. On November 29, I decided to purchase my first silk scarf. I have always been into neckwear but this is the first time I was going to try and use silk. The myriad of designs that Hermès had was a bit confusing. I decided to narrow it down to an orange color with horses. My father was a fanatic for the races. Every Sunday, he would go and leave us with my mother. It was a family joke that Santa Anna Hippodrome in Manila was his Cathedral. Eventually, we owned our own horses that we raced and "Better-than-Ever" was our number one horse. That horse won a ton races and he was the apple of my father's eye. In any case, I rushed to the boutique and acquired myself the "La Danse du Cheval". Orange, elegant and so Hermès.

Tuesday, December 4

My H itch was still not satisfied. I was seriously contemplating on the Evelyne. When I purchased my scarf, I decided to ask if they had a TGM there. Indeed they did in graphite. Problem was, the strap of it was configured wrong and so they had to send it back to New York. I was prepared to buy it that Monday.

Hermès practically took hold of me and I was constantly thinking about it. My whole day's work was peppered with stolen moments online researching about the Evelyne. It was madness I tell you! A relaxing walk with my dog would do me good and then like a soothing balm from heaven to end my misery an angel called. It was the lovely associate from Neiman Marcus Hermès. She had a 35cm Birkin Bleu de Prusse in Clemence with Palladium hardware waiting for me! I couldn't believe it! What happened to the two year waitlist?! I had to think fast! I wasn't prepared for it. She said I had to give my answer that night because she had to call the people on the waitlist. Whoa what pressure! And even though I have been agonizing over it in my head for days now. Even though I knew this one purchase would make me super happy and contented. Even though it seems that Lady Luck smiled at me in one fluke of a moment...I declined! Photo: texasbrooke

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

After I hung up on my lovely associate from Hermès NM, the wheels in my head were turning and turning. Are you mad?! This is your opportunity to get a "starter" Birkin! I rushed home to figure out my options. I formulated a financial plan that would leave me in good enough shape. Gosh, all this trouble for a bag! I kept thinking that I would finally be part of that elite club of Birkin owners. This is it! The ultra-luxe in handbags! I dialed her again, a mere 15 minutes after I hung up. She sadly informed me that a buyer was making up her mind and that she needed to wait for that buyer's call. Just like that, my hopes of owning a Birkin fizzled into thin air.

Photo: Hermès

"Can I at least see it?!"

It's strange because just a few weeks ago, I never even dreamt of having a Birkin. I have seen them in movies and tv shows but have never actually held one. I didn't even know if I would like the bag. Would it be too heavy, too cumbersome to carry? Would it fit snugly in my hands, or would I love the leather that it comes in? So many questions need to be answered so I asked my Hermès angel: "Can I at least see it?!"

Katie Holmes lugging her ill-fitted Haut à Courroies for day to day use!

"But of course, my dear!"

"It's good for you to see it so that my next call you would say, 'yes'!" I immediately got into my car and excitedly rushed over there. I decided to call my friend from California who was more excited about the prospect of me owning a Birkin than I was. She conferenced in her best friend and the three of us chatted and debated away as I drove the 20 minutes to the store. Two minutes before getting there my Hermès associate called me again to inform me: "The bag is yours! Yeeeaaayyy!" Hermès Spring Summer 2008 Ad campaign

I couldn't take him home...

I finally arrived at Neiman Marcus. I still couldn't believe it. My Hermès associate had already gone home for the day so another lady helped me. It was quick, painless and very business like. She asked me not to walk it around too much fearing that the other associates in other departments might call their clients about "the Birkin" in store. She herself was calling people from her waitlist because a brown Birkin was alloted to her. I couldn't take him home because a Triple Points Event was due in a couple of days and they advised me to take advantage of that. I went home empty handed but excruciatingly happy. I now own a Birkin.

My Very Own Brikin

December 6, 2008. I got out of work and hopped on the train to pick up my Birkin. My associate was there so she closed the sale. She even asked me to smell the new leather of Birkins which she loved. Sigh...this, my friends, is the story of how I got my very own Birkin.