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

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