If you have never heard of a Hermes handbag, it's probably a given that you don't qualify for the ?rich and famous? label in today's elitist society. These bags are truly at the top of the fashion world and will no doubt hold this spot for years to come. With a price tag that starts at a mere $7,000, the average consumer is normally not like to make this purchase.

What makes a Hermes handbag so coveted? One of the reasons is the craftsmanship that goes into each and every bag. They are handcrafted from the finest leathers and animals skins. Even the clasp are unique and can be made from many different medals and precious materials. A Hermes handbag is truly a work of art.

One of the most popular of all the Hermes bags is the Birkin bag. It was named after an encounter with Jane Birkin, an English bred singer and actress. Jean-Louis Dumas was on a flight with Birkin when she dumped the contents of her purse on the floor of the plane. After the two of them talked, Dumas went back and designed the Hermes bag that was eventually named the Birkin bag.

This Birkin bag instantly became one of the most requested, even outselling the Hermes handbag, the Kelly. With a two year waiting list, it's easy to see why there are a limited number available. This bag is the absolute in a status symbol and the price tag can easily go into the tens of thousands. A Birkin bag that is encrusted with diamonds or uses a very rare animal print can be valued at over $100,000. A black alligator skin bag recently sold at an auction for $64,000!

Many celebrities proudly display their Hermes bag because it is such a status symbol. Few other fashion accessories carry the weight of a Hermes handbag. Even USA Today recently completed an article inquiring if owning a Birkin bag got you better perks and treatment. While most who carry one would politely deny the special treatment, the truth of the matter is that usually only the elite carry the bag to begin with.

Some of the more popular celebrities that carry a Hermes handbag faithfully are Victoria Beckham, Gwenyth Paltrow, Lindsey Lohan, and Kate Moss. Victoria Beckham has over a hundred of the Hermes bags and Lindsey Lohan recently made the news when one of hers was stolen at an airport.

You won't find a Birkin bag at the Hermes website. You may find one at a premier site that offers exquisite bags, such as Eurohandbag, but you'll pay a pretty penny for it. Since all of the Hermes bags are only offered new at the Hermes boutiques, you can easily see why the unavailability of them adds to mystery.

In closing, a Hermes handbag will continue to be a fashion icon for many years to come. A Birkin bag is also one of the very few fashion accessories that actually holds or increases in its value. When only the very best will do, a Hermes handbag, especially a Birkin bag, is the way to go.