In some ways, you can look at this kind of exclusivity as a positive move sustainably. Fewer sales mean fewer products which means the reduced use of natural resources and risk of pollution. It’s also worth noting that pieces from these prestigious brands have, and will always have a strong resale value. You’ll certainly never see an Hermès Kelly discarded to landfill. These items will always remain in constant circulation, which can only be a good thing. The Birkin creation process itself epitomises all we seek from slow fashion. Each one is made by a single artisan, hand-sewn and amounting up to 18 hours of work in total. 

It’s worth noting, however, that the game that Hermès play with their customers to achieve the holy Birkin realm doesn’t exactly promote low consumption. As we well know, no one gets a Birkin by strolling into a store on a random Tuesday afternoon. No, first you must befriend a good sales associate, and start spending straight off the bat, likely on things you don’t want or need, but are more likely to bump you up the Birkin ladder. Once Hermès deems you have an extensive enough purchase history, you may then be invited in-store and offered a “quota” bag, like the Kelly or Birkin, which will be completely of Hermès’ choosing. You will have no say in the size, colour or finish, it’s either a yes or a no. You can always decline, but word on the street is that makes you likely to fall out of favour with the Hermès gods. Many people end up purchasing pieces they don’t really want, yes because the resale value of Birkins is incredible, but also to stay in the brand’s good books to one day be offered the bag of their dreams. It feels like a constant cycle of buying and selling, slightly dampening all the effort into responsible production.