The Hermès Birkin 20 Sellier Neige sold for $256k on Christie’s

Arushi Sakhuja

In the realm of luxury handbags, there’s one name that reigns supreme: Hermès. For many, owning a Hermès is the ultimate aspiration, and when it’s a one-of-a-kind piece like the Hermès Birkin 20 Sellier Neige, the allure becomes even more irresistible. Recently, at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong, this iconic handbag fetched an astonishing $256,000. But what exactly makes it worth a quarter of a million dollars?

Let’s delve into the craftsmanship behind the Neige, aptly named Hermès Birkin 20 Sellier Neige for its snowy elegance. This handbag is a rare treasure, coveted by Hermès collectors worldwide. Crafted with precision, it boasts a blend of luxurious materials including Matte Beton Matte Alligator, White Swift, and Clemence leather. But it’s not just the materials that set it apar,; it’s the meticulous attention to detail. From the Orange H Swift leather window awnings to the Bleu Brume Chevre Mysore leather window panels, every element is thoughtfully designed. The result? A stunning 3-D effect reminiscent of Hermès’ flagship store in Paris, 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris. And let’s not forget the signature Hermès touches—the Hermès Birkin 20 Sellier Neige has clochette the with its tiret ‘handles’ and the clean, crisp sellier edge—that elevate this handbag to a work of art. No wonder it’s considered the crown jewel of Hermès collections, commanding prices as high as $400,000.

What’s more? The Hermès Birkin 20 Sellier Neige is part of the Faubourg Birkin collection, a tribute to Hermès’ flagship store on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Introduced in 2019, this collection quickly became a favorite among collectors. Crafted with five contrasting leathers, including Matte Alligator and Chèvre Mysore, each handbag is a masterpiece in its own right. The attention to detail is unparalleled, from the replica of the store’s facade to the iconic orange clochette. And with additions like the Minuit and Neige editions, the collection only continues to grow in popularity. The Snow Faubourg, in particular, stands out for its unique design featuring Beton Matte Alligator leather—a true testament to Hermès’ commitment to luxury.

The Faubourg Birkin pays homage to Hermès’ flagship at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. Hermès chose to craft the Birkin’s first ever 20 cm size in their Sellier fabrication. The Faubourg Birkin, also known as the House Birkin, was first introduced in 2019 in two colourways, Deep Bleu Madame/Bleu Marine Matte Gator/Orange H Swift/Bleu Obscur & Bleu Indigo Sombrero/Craie Epsom and Gold Madame/Ébène Matte Gator/Orange H Swift/Brûlée & Ébène Sombrero/Craie Epsom. Its design is a replica of the building’s facade featuring orange awnings hanging over the store’s windows, while the key clochette is designed to mimic Hermès’ iconic orange shopping bag in fascinating detail. The Birkin’s exterior is constructed from five contrasting quality leathers which include Matte Alligator, Veau Madame, Epsom, Sombrero, and Swift, while the interior is lined with luxurious Chèvre Mysore. The Faubourg Birkin immediately became the most sought after handbag by collectors due to its extreme rarity and clever design and has entered “Holy Grail” status next to Hermès’ Himalaya Birkin and Kelly bags.

In 2021 two new versions of the Faubourg Birkin were released: a Minuit(Midnight) Faubourg and Neige(Snow) Faubourg. The Snow Faubourg, also known as the White House Birkin, it features Beton Matte Alligator leather on the body of the bag, rather than the flap. This obviously results in considerably more exotic leather being used, hence it is also the most expensive of the four Faubourg Birkins.