| Hermes 35cm Matte Poro Croc Birkin | | | | but Forbes is reporting that Hermes will post an |
| If its title did not leave you in sheer awe and | | | | increase in sales during the first quarter of 2009, a time |
| exhilaration, these images will. Meet the 35 centimeter | | | | when many retailers and brands were feeling a |
| Hermes Birkin in Matte Poro Crocodile in Blue Brighton | | | | big-time sales crunch. Why is that? |
| with Diamond-encrusted Hard Ware. | | | | Well, the sales increase isn’t worldwide. Sales fell |
| Lucky Lady Vernilover recently picked up this seriously | | | | modestly in Europe and experienced a double-digit |
| stunning piece on a recent trip, and I could not resist to | | | | decline in luxury-goods-obsessed Japan, but the brand |
| share it with our PB readers. I am not sure about the | | | | saw increases large enough in non-Japanese Asia to |
| price, but my guess would be in the ballpark around | | | | more than make up for decreases elsewhere. The |
| $160,000. Available through select Hermes boutiques | | | | increases were seen mostly in South Korea and |
| around the world. | | | | China, which many industry watchers regard as |
| We have a treat for your eyes! Hermes has become | | | | somewhat of a Last Frontier of luxury retail. |
| ubiquitous with the ultimate designer handbags. The | | | | So what does this tell us? First of all, we should all |
| luxury associated with Hermes is known worldwide, | | | | remember that signs of strength in the global economy |
| continues throughout the years and seasons, and | | | | probably mean good things for those of us in America. |
| transcends across generations. My collection of | | | | Our economy is incredibly interconnected with those of |
| Hermes bags is small, but includes all Holy Grail bags | | | | other nations, particularly China, and we can’t start |
| for me; a Blue Jean Birkin a Kelly Wallet in Orange | | | | to make a significant recovery without signs that are |
| Alligatr, and my stunning white Kelly Longue. Next on | | | | trading partners are also ready to move forward |
| my wishlist from the brand is a travel size bag. | | | | economically. Sales increases of luxury goods mean |
| Something big, something to take for weekend trips, | | | | that consumers in other countries feel confident in the |
| something reminiscent of what the brand is known for | | | | direction in which the economy is headed, and maybe |
| but offering a new shape to my collection. Top of my | | | | a little bit of that consumer confidence will rub off on |
| list is the Haut A Courroies, better known to the | | | | other markets. Lastly, it’s a good reminder to all |
| masses as the HAC. And the ultimate HAC from | | | | businesses that there are still markets out there that |
| Hermes would be the crocodile HAC that was at | | | | are spending money. Finding them may be a challenge, |
| Christie’s. | | | | but it can and will be done. So congratulations, Hermes, |
| I can’t decide if this news is counter-intuitive or not, | | | | on a game well played. |