Across Asia, why are more men carrying women's handbags?
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Across Asia, why are more men carrying women's handbags?
As fashion gets more than androgynous, the legendary Hermes Birkin bag is attracting more than and more than male person consumers. CNA Luxury digs into this trend.
For handbag collectors Preston Tran (left) and Terence Lee (right), the Birkin is their "holy grail". (Photos: Preston Tran, Terence Lee)
24 Oct 2022 06:41AM (Updated: 24 October 2022 07:04AM)
Terence Lee was recently offered an Birkin purse from a Hermes boutique. The 31-year-old Malaysian, a pediatric physician working in Australia, has been a bag collector for many years.
"I remember it's safe to say that about pocketbook lovers who are into luxury would likely include the Birkin as one of their 'holy grails' and I am no different. I've been collecting designer handbags since I started working, and the Hermes Birkin used to seem so unattainable when I first started this mostly unhealthy journey," Lee told CNA Luxury.
To celebrate his 30th altogether last year, Lee purchased a preloved Birkin 35 in Togo leather with palladium hardware from a reseller based in Singapore. "Very recently, I was offered a Birkin 35 from my local store in Melbourne and of course I said aye before I fifty-fifty saw it in the flesh. It is an etain (matt grayness) Birkin 35 in Togo leather with rose gold hardware and I love her and then much," he quipped.
Lee is just one of many men featured on the Instagram account @birkinclub4boys. The account, which has effectually fifteen,700 followers, invites men from around the world to submit photos with their Birkin numberless.
Featured on a like account, @birkinmen, is 38-year-erstwhile business owner and freelance makeup creative person, Preston Tran.
"I am a bag lover in general and I have always been in dearest with Hermes," the Vietnamese-American shared.
A trip to Les Ateliers Hermes (Hermes's workshop in Paris) this summertime only grew Tran's love for the brand. "Afterward witnessing how each Hermes handbag is made behind the scenes, information technology made me appreciate their products more. All the skills and techniques that Hermes'south craftsmen put into the products, such as hand-stitching, proves that the numberless are given so much beloved. Information technology is what makes them special not only for the craftsmen themselves, but also to all purse lovers out there."
Tran has an enviable drove of 15 Hermes numberless. "Most of them are Birkins in size 40, 35, and 25. I as well take ane Kelly Touch in size 32, a Mini Lindy and a Constance," he shared.
The story of how the Birkin bag, arguably the most sought-after luxury bag in the world, came to exist is one that's oft told. In 1981, actress and singer Jane Birkin was boarding a aeroplane when she met Hermes master Jean-Louis Dumas. While trying to fit all her deport-on items into the overhead compartment, she realised that her handbag could not hold all her belongings. Birkin began to rant to Dumas about how stylish bags were never big plenty to fit all of i's things.
Inspired, Dumas began dreaming up the perfect bag and the Birkin was born, crafted in supple leather with Hermes's signature saddle stitching with a buckled flap pinnacle and swivel clasp. The original design has endured always since. "The workmanship backside the Birkin is impeccable and the style is tres chic," commented Lee. Of grade, one cannot but walk into a Hermes bazaar to score a Birkin. "The fact that it is somewhat elusive makes it all the more exclusive likewise," Lee added.
THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
While the Birkin was first created as a women'southward handbag, over the years, more than and more men accept been carrying them too. Before condign a Chanel ambassador, K-popular creative person G-Dragon was known for toting around a Birkin 40 in red with gold hardware.
Also spotted with the Birkin on Instagram – Singaporean Bling Empire star Kane Lim and local celebrity hairdresser David Gan.
Although the tendency is not new, auction houses that CNA Luxury spoke too – namely Christie'south, Bonhams and Sotheby's – shared that there has been a steadily growing percentage of male person Asian bidders at recent auctions.
"Nosotros take seen this trend all over the globe and in Asia, with big stars such as 1000-Dragon initiating this trend," said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's caput of Handbags and Accessories.
Meanwhile, Jerry Chang, associate specialist, Handbags and Accessories Department of Christie'southward Asia Pacific, noted that the auction firm has seen "active participation from Hong Kong and Southeast Asian male clients".
"Southeast Asian collectors are very stiff," concurred Humphrey Cheung, Bonhams' specialist of Designer Handbags. "One reason is that social media is developing very quickly at that place then there's been a bigger demand for people to be seen with rare numberless."
Cheung pointed to the instance of Thai influencer Bas, known for his wide collection of luxury bags and unboxing videos on his Instagram business relationship, @bsweetintoxication.
Meanwhile in Hong Kong, dentist and influencer Christoffer Cheung, @curiouschristoffer on Instagram, has amassed almost sixty,000 followers with OOTDs styled with luxury numberless.
SOUGHT-Afterwards BIRKINS
There are several reasons why men are attracted to the Birkin in particular. These include style and size, said Christie'south Chang. "Men appreciate adroitness, quality and subtlety in handbags," Chang commented. "The Birkin likewise offers dissimilar sizes – particularly large ones that can best address a mod man's needs."
Sotheby's Halimi shares that "men generally wait for sizes 35 or higher up and often in dark colours. Just more and more men take been attracted by shiny or matte exotic skins that will bring a stone impact to whatever outfit".
Ii rare models – the Shadow Birkin and the Birkin Cargo – are very sought-after by men, Halimi shared. The Shadow Birkin was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier in 2009 when he was creative director of Hermes. The design features the illusion of a top flap, embossed onto leather. "It doesn't accept any hardware, which a lot of men appreciate."
On the other hand, the Birkin Cargo "is appreciated for its multiple pockets. It is also lightweight because it is made from sail," said Halimi.
Bonhams' Cheung, however, noted an increase in interest in the Birkin Mini. " Men become for the mini Birkin nowadays [because] nosotros don't have the need to conduct a great amount of things. Smaller bags generally have strong resale value besides."
As well the Birkin, Cheung besides noted that the Hermes Mini Lindy has become pop.
Another popular model is the Hermes Kelly in size 40, shared Christie's Chang. " It's also one of the most recognisable and classic Hermes handbags. Kelly numberless come with a shoulder strap, which is more convenient for men as they can carry the purse on their shoulders," he said.
THE Rising OF ANDROGYNOUS Mode
Handbag collector Lee styles his Birkin as an everyday bag, paired mostly with casual wear from T-shirts to jeans and bones knitwear. "I gauge the Birkin just elevates every wait. I do depict the line at sweatsuits though!" he quipped.
Information technology is not but the Birkin that is having a moment among male purse collectors. Some of Lee'southward favourite bags in his collection include the Dior Saddle and the Chanel Mini Flap, while Tran cites mini bags from Louis Vuitton and Dior every bit some of his favourites.
Both Tran and Lee represent a growing group of consumers embracing androgynous fashion. In contempo years, mode has increasingly challenged gender norms.
Back in 2017, G-Dragon made a stir as the face of Chanel'south Gabrielle bag entrada. More recently, in 2020, Gucci reissued the Jackie handbag, aimed at all genders. Musician Harry Styles appeared in the manner firm'south Gucci Beloved campaign, sporting the Jackie.
"I don't think it is just handbags simply fashion in general is getting more gender-neutral," Lee commented. "I guess it works both ways. As more women wear pant suits out of love for the manner, more men are carrying handbags."
At the end of 24-hour interval, Lee believes it is "not nigh what you article of clothing, but how you wear it".
"To me, I think that it is very personal when it comes to art, fashion and dazzler," shared Tran. His advice? "Just practise whatever you lot want to do that makes you feel happy and comfortable, regardless of gender . That'due south all that matters!"
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/obsessions/hermes-birkin-menswear-fashion-285381
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