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Book Review of Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag

Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag
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Helpful Score: 1


Ostensibly just a pricey handbag, the Hermes Birkin bag is a sign of the Times somehow given that a simple leather "starter" Birkin is "only" $9000, while an exotic skin version in alligator, ostrich or crocodile - aka "croc" - can easily fetch over $60,000 (Victoria Beckham's 100-piece Birkin collection is rumored to be worth around the $2 million mark). And even if you're not particularly fashion-obsessed, this breezy confection of a book never tries to be more than what it is: a fun, smartass ride-along with a one-time enabler of one of the fashion world's most coveted cult items ever. After accidentally discovering how to pay his bills selling off the contents of his designer wardrobe on eBay, the unemployed author inadvertently uncovers a bottomless market for anything Hermes, especially croc Birkins...which have years-long wait lists unless you know how (and who) to ply in order to buy one. Tag along as he sweet-talks his way into millions in Birkins, sells them at a mad profit to the rich, famous, and desperately Birkin-bereft...and even has to rescue one held hostage by one of his "buyers", a handsome and hopelessly vain hustler.