Is the long wait for a Hermès Birkin finally over? The luxury fashion house is opening 3 new factories in France to create more of its handbags loved by celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Cardi B

Feb 22 , 2022

Cardi B and Kylie Jenner are fans of Hermès bags. Photos: @cardib, @kyliejenner/Instagram

Your long wait for that gorgeous Kelly or Birkin bag could finally be over.

French luxury goods maker Hermès is opening not one, not two, but three new factories to get the dream handbags to their customers, the brand announced on Friday, February 18. Despite these bags being expensive, the world can’t get enough of them – even more so since the pandemic.

A collection of Birkins. Photo:@lynhaky_artist/Instagram

An entry-level Birkin with plain hardware costs around US$9,000, and it’s around the same with Hermès Kelly handbags, but demand far outstrips supply.

These new factories will be opened in the French cities of Louviers, Sormonne and Riom by 2024 to end the growing shortage of luxury handbags and match demand.

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Kylie Jenner is a fan of Hermès bags. Photo: @kyliejenner/Instagram

Many of the rich have become even richer over these past two years, leaving them with chunks of disposable income.

Rapper Cardi B with a collection of Hermès bags. Photo: @cardib/Instagram

Hermès has more than 4,300 leather workers on its staff, and with these three new factories, it will hire at least 400 artisans each year.

The bags are painstakingly crafted, with each bag taking 15 hours to make. “We are facing strong demand, and we have a very artisanal product,” said Hermès executive chairman Axel Dumas.

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Shoppers exit an Hermès store in the Ginza area of Tokyo in February. Photo: Bloomberg

“It takes 15 hours [to create] a Hermès bag. Even if there is a lot of demand, I will not start making them in 13 hours to increase production.

“Contrary to what people may think, we are always very sad when we have to say no to our customers.”

By accelerating production, Hermès will match the growth of luxury brands, like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, that shows no signs of slowing down.

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Fashion

The French fashion house has plans for three more factories by 2024 and hiring 400 skilled leather workers per year, but can it keep up with Gucci and Louis Vuitton?
Birkin and Kelly designs are scarce as the pandemic has left the world’s richest with more disposable income and desire for luxury goods – like US$9,000 handbags