Recently in The Holy Grail of Bags Category

UPDATE: 12 Pink alligator Ricky bags were made. 6 have sold, 6 on hold. Call Dana if you want to get on the list! 214-522-5270

Hi Girls. I fell in love today. It was love at first sight, and I know it was reciprocated. How do I know it's true love you ask? You know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from your toes up to your ears when you see something you have been looking for your entire life? You cease to hear anything, but the loud beating of your own heart. Your hands get clammy, and your mouth goes dry. You forget you already have hundreds of other bags because, at that moment, it is the only bag in the world for you. I have admired the Ricky bag from Ralph Lauren dozens of times and do not own one, but when I saw this alligator version in perfect lipstick pink, I forgot every bag in my closet. This color is not Barbie/bubble gum pink, nor is it ballet-tutu pink; it is sophisticated, glamorous, and seductive--no one does pink like Ralph! (remember Gwyneth's pink gown?) This shade of pink is feminine, yet strong, and the boxy shape of the bag keeps it from being too girly girl. Ralph Lauren's classic Ricky bag is inspired by a vintage Cooper Saddle Carrier and handcrafted in Italy with American Alligator Mississippiensis (from TCIM--the tannery owned by Hermes) and finished with Italian hardware. The construction is meticulous, and the color is absolutely fabulous! There are only two left in the United States. They also have gorgeous wallets, belts, and clutches in the same skin if you do not want a bag. I am obsessed with Ralph's pink alligator and think every girl should have a piece of it! Call Dana at 214-522-5270 to order.

Remember my bag dilemma last month? I could not decide between two amazingly chic and timeless bags, the Hermes Ostrich Birkin and Oscar de la Renta Alligator Alden, so I did what any girl would do in the same situation. I took both! They are completely different styles and so very unique in their own way that I felt it too difficult to choose between the two. Along with my YSL Muse in Gray blue, this it for my Spring bag purchases. Hopefully I won't cave in to another bag urge but one of the drawbacks of running a bag blog is that I am tempted, every hour of every day. It takes a will of iron to refrain from buying all the delectable bags I review (one I obviously lack but I am trying!). The Hermes Ostrich birkin in its signature orange and palladium hardware is sizzling hot, bright and cheery, just what I need to get ready for sunshine! Oscar de la Renta's Alden bag made of American Alligator Mississippiensis (the best in the world, also used by Hermes) is nothing short of absolute perfection. The scales are immaculate and the bag is full of gorgeous details like the tortoise shell frame and magnetic flap which allows me instant access to my wallet. The front pocket also give the bag a youthful vibe. I have not let these bags out of my sight since I got them, can you blame me? At Hermes and Oscar de la Renta boutiques. Or See Oscar De La Renta at NET-A-PORTER

Call Mindy at 214-346-0400 to inquire about the Alden in Alligator. They were made in limited edition so get your hands on one quickly! The bag is around 14" wide on bottom and again, the blue alligator is spectacular!

Call Hermes (214) 528-0197 and ask for Craig to purchase wallets ONLY. No birkin inquiries will be accepted over the phone.

I am always on the hunt for the perfect wallet because my wallet is the most important item in my bag (sometimes more than the bag itself)! I actually spend more time choosing my wallets than my handbags because there are so many conditions to be met, but today, the hunt for THE wallet is finally over. The latest style from Hermes, the Kelly Long Money Holder or Ligne Kelly (I prefer to call it the Kelly Wallet/Clutch) is the answer to my dreams! It is 7 inches wide (18cm, half the length of a 35cm birkin) and may also be used as a clutch, nothing like a two for one to get me excited! (More after the jump!)

The dashing Cameron Silver called me today about a gorgeous white birkin he has for sale at Decades, his vintage boutique on Melrose. He knew I would want to know and I know you would want to know about this very rare 30cm Taurillon Clemence birkin from Hermes! As some of you know, Hermes stopped production on white bags for a few years and just recently resumed (don't ask me why they do that- to drive us crazy?) so even if you have your name on a list for one, it will be 3-5 years before you get it. Seeing how summer is just around the corner, wouldn't you like to have one, like today? Email Decades or call for further details. 323-655-0223

In response to our story about Cameron Silver's Hermes bag, a reader sent us a picture of bags Pharrell had made. Look at the monster of a HAC (the original birkin) and in purple croc no less!! How over the top fabulous is that? And so fitting for the new hip hop mogul. My only question is, what is he going to do with it? I am guessing this is a travel bag but still, it must be quite weighty. He is seen here in the Paris workshop where he went to pick up the bag.

Bag Snob Tina note: Gross, I am forever turned off to purple crocodile because of this garish and giant bag with a keychain by Jacob the jeweler (is he still in jail?). Hermes or not, it's tacky! And if this was not taken at the Paris workshop I would have thought it was fake.

For $11,000 (and up), you too can have an Hermes bag custom made and named after you! Cameron Silver, owner of Decades, did just that recently and created what he calls the perfect portable office and ideal carry on bag in grained calfskin aptly named... The Cameron! It took 3 trips to Paris and four months of waiting but he finally has the Hermes bag of his dreams. The genius design allows the bag to be popped up as a tote bag or folded down as a messenger bag with removeable shoulder strap. Inside the iconic orange lining of goat skin there are: a laptop pocket, a removable zippered pochette, and slots for business cards and keys. There are also side pockets that will fit an umbrella or small water bottle.

Left: Crocodile Birkin in 35cm/ Center: HAC in 32cm/ Right: Indigo ostrich HAC in 28cm

Check out the crocodile birkins and HAC bags on the Hermes Spring 2008 runway, can you tell which is which? For those of you who are not Hermes aficionados, HAC (Haut a Courrois) was the original "birkin" before Jane Birkin complained it was too tall to fit under her airplane seat and the handles too small to properly tote on her arm. They shortened and elongated the bag, made the handles longer and called it a Birkin et voila, an instant icon. Here is how you can tell the difference, the HAC handles are tiny and the body is long as opposed to wide, all very subtle differences but a trained eye can spot them a mile a way. They also cost less than the birkin and are much easier to come by.

I just came home from shopping at Hermes at the South Coast Plaza. I was looking at this black croc diamond wallet and the SA told me that they have an orange diamond croc Birkin. What else could I say but, "Can I look at it, please?" Hello!!! It was quite a production, she had to get it out of the safe and we had to look at it in the back of the store and of course did the whole white glove thing they do when showing all bags. The lock was in a case that she couldn't open but it was all pave diamond encrusted as with all the hardware. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen!! While I was drooling over it a lady came by and freaked out over it. She said she saw one recently but the orange was not as divine, this one was such a nice bright orange, sunshiny but not tacky. I mean, a black diamond croc birkin would get plenty notice, this was a stand up and shout, "LOOK AT ME!!" bag. Next thing I know, this lady was talking about how many credit cards she needed to take this bag home with her. She turned to me and asked if I was going to get it, so polite of her. Unfortunately, I do not have $148,000 (over $160,000 with tax) liquid at this exact moment to buy a bag with. I congratulated her as she celebrated with her friend as they planned how she was going to pay for it (they discussed going to the bank to get cash but it's the weekend so it complicated things. Uh, I'm not even sure how that would work.)

Photo: Vanity Fair
This article is a must read all you Hermes aficionados (especially those who have contributed to the staggering 1.9 billion dollars in sales last year)!
From Vanity Fair by Laura Jacobs, an in depth look at the 200 year history of the House of Hermes.

From Hermès to Eternity
Almost two centuries ago, a royal coronation might be delayed until the arrival of its exquisitely stitched Hermès carriage fittings, just as today even the richest women must wait for an exquisitely stitched Hermès Birkin bag. With the family-run French company passing to a sixth generation, the author chronicles its rise to global pre-eminence, where a modern aesthetic meets the humble tools—awls, mallets, needles, knives, and stones—of unsurpassed tradition.

COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE

Thank you Daisy for bringing this article to our attention!

Look what the Hermes stork (actually, the Hermes stork is a pony named "Hermie") brought me this week, a birkin in Chocolate Lizard! Now you know I love all my birkins equally and try not to favor any of them but let me just tell you, it is hard not to favor this scrumptious darling! Hermes Lizard skin is smooth as silk and it has a gorgeous glossy sheen unlike any other exotic skin. I even think the Chocolate Lizard is prettier than the Chocolate Crocodile, it is that exquisite and elegant! I feel like I have been neglecting my birkins lately with so many other bags I have to carry but nothing beats the feeling of putting one of my yummy birkins on my arm. I am so excited about my excitement over my new birkin, it's really amazing how each birkin makes me feel like it's my first birkin. That, my friends, is the power of Hermes.

Hermie the Hermes pony wanted me to tell you that he's also got a gorgeous 50cm travel birkin in Olive with chartreuse straps. (which would make a fantastic manbag!) And yes, the photo below was taken at the Hermes boutique, who else but the Bag Snob would be allowed to take photos at Hermes? Call Hermes only if you are a serious buyer of this fab 50cm travel birkin!

More photos of celebs and their birkins after the jump!