Hermès Historic Flagship Location
Hermès was founded in 1837 by harness maker Thierry Hermès, but it was under his son Charles-Émile that the maison established its now-legendary headquarters at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Since 1880, this address has symbolized Hermès’ heritage and craftsmanship. The site expanded through the years—first into No. 26 and later No. 28—becoming the brand’s largest boutique worldwide. Its distinctive orange façade and refined window displays would later inspire one of the most imaginative designs in Hermès history: the Birkin Faubourg.
Key Takeaways About the Hermès Birkin Faubourg
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Introduced in 2019, the Hermès Birkin Faubourg pays homage to the brand’s historic flagship at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, featuring architectural motifs inspired by its storefront. |
| Signature Models | Day, Night, Snow, Midnight, Disco, and Rainy Days editions—all crafted in 20 cm Sellier construction with exceptional material combinations such as Matte Alligator, Madame Calfskin, Swift, and Epsom leather. |
| Rarity | Produced in extremely limited quantities; each model features hand-crafted details that echo the flagship façade. The Snow Faubourg and Rainy Days Faubourg are among the scarcest. |
| Market Popularity | Among the most collectible modern Hermès bags—values often reach 3–5× retail; Snow and Day models continue to achieve exceptional results at auction. |
| Auction Highlights | Snow Faubourg Birkin 20 sold for over $200,000 (2024); Rainy Days Faubourg achieved $203,200 (March 2025). |
| Collector Appeal | Considered the “House Birkin,” combining whimsical design with exceptional craftsmanship. Sotheby’s has sold nearly $4 million in Birkin Faubourg bags since 2021. |
The Original Faubourg Birkins
In 2019, Hermès introduced the first Birkin Faubourg bags, translating the architecture of its flagship into handbag form. The miniature Birkin 20 was crafted in Sellier construction and featured “Day” and “Night” variations. Each version combined Matte Alligator flaps with Madame calfskin bodies, Swift leather windows, Epsom glass panels, and a Sombrero leather base—all accented with Orange H Swift awnings reminiscent of the boutique’s canopies. Even the clochette was reimagined as a miniature orange Hermès shopping bag, making the design instantly iconic.
These early editions became immediate collector sensations, with demand driving secondary-market prices to multiple times retail. Sotheby’s has sold nearly $4 million in Birkin Faubourg bags since 2021, a testament to their desirability among global collectors.
2021 Faubourg Birkins
Two new interpretations arrived in 2021: the Midnight (Minuit) and the Snow (Neige). The Midnight edition featured deep black tones, PVD hardware, and moody elegance reminiscent of the So Black collection. The Snow version contrasted it entirely—with a Matte Alligator body, White Togo flap, and Blue Brume Chevre windows, evoking a wintry Parisian evening.
Collectors prize completing the quartet—Day, Night, Midnight, and Snow—nicknamed Place de Faubourg or, in China, the Beijing Courtyard.
Newest Faubourg Birkins
The line continued evolving in 2024 with the Birkin Disco Faubourg, crafted entirely in black Box leather with a graffiti-style white façade and a disco-ball padlock charm. That same year saw the debut of the Rainy Days Faubourg, featuring a Gris Ciment Matte Alligator flap, Gris Misty Epsom body, and signature Orange H awnings.
Both designs remain extremely limited and have yet to appear frequently at auction, though their anticipated premiums mirror earlier Faubourg models—often 3–4× retail, or higher for pristine examples.
Faubourg Birkin Price and Market Performance
The Birkin Faubourg stands among the most valuable Hermès creations on the secondary market, rivaling the Himalaya Birkin. Its architectural storytelling, scale, and craftsmanship have made it a must-have for advanced collectors.
Retail prices begin around $30,000 for Day, Night, and Midnight versions, and $48,000 for the Snow edition. Auction results have reached impressive multiples:
- Day Faubourg Birkin: $152,400 (March 2025)
- Night Faubourg Birkin: $167,000 (2021)
- Snow Faubourg Birkin: over $200,000 (2024) and $400,000 (2022 private sale)
- Midnight Faubourg Birkin: $130,000 to $180,000 (2024)
- Rainy Days Faubourg Birkin: $203,200 (March 2025)
While slightly off their 2021 peaks, these prices demonstrate enduring demand and 4–5× multiples over retail—cementing the Faubourg’s position among the most collectible modern Birkins.
FAQs About the Hermès Birkin Faubourg
Why is the Hermès Birkin Faubourg so expensive?
Each Faubourg Birkin is made in extremely small quantities and features complex, multi-material construction that mirrors the Hermès flagship façade. The intricate craftsmanship, architectural design, and exclusivity contribute to values often exceeding four times retail.
What makes the Faubourg Birkin different from a regular Birkin?
The Faubourg Birkin 20 is smaller, crafted in Sellier style, and incorporates design details from 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré—including window-pane inlays, orange awnings, and a miniature shopping-bag clochette—making it a tribute to Hermès heritage rather than a traditional everyday tote.
Which Faubourg Birkin is the most valuable?
The Snow Faubourg Birkin remains the highest-valued, with examples selling for $200,000 to $400,000 at auction. Its full Matte Alligator construction and frosted color palette make it the rarest and most sought-after edition.
How can I buy or sell a Birkin Faubourg?
Due to rarity, Faubourg Birkins are rarely available in Hermès boutiques. Collectors typically buy and sell them through trusted secondary market platforms like Sotheby’s, which has sold nearly $4 million in Faubourg Birkins since 2021 and regularly achieves record prices for these bags.
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