OMG!

When I saw several photos of famous designer Marc Jacobs at a beach in St. Barts carrying an Hermes Birkin bags, my first thought was I HAVE TO WRITE ABOUT THIS! 

It is rare to see men carrying Hermes Birkin bags, but Marc Jacobs who is a very unique man, packed for his recent vacation not one, not two, but three Hermes Birkin bags!  We see the green birkin, white birkin and the shadow birkin.

Let me ask you this...

When going on a vacation, do you take your Birkin with you? Or do you take another bag so you don’t have to carry it?

If yes, do you take with you a leather Birkin? A Crocodile one? What size? 

How many do you pack for one trip. This can be daunting task, especially when there are many festivities to attend.

How do you pack these babies?!

Are you putting your birkins in your suitcase? OMG! The thought of having the bags lost in transit among the thousands of lost bags is scary!

Share your traveling with your Birkin stories! We want to know!

(all images can be found on the internet )

Tell us in your own words, what do you look for in your Hermes bag? Is it the color? The size? The hardware?
Are you a skin girl? A hip girl? Do you love the oversize bag? Are you a Palm Beach girl or a Dolce girl? We want to know and so do our followers.

Stay tuned, on Monday for a description of who our followers are.

We wanted to update you on the last newsletter we sent out, asking if the Red Hermes JPG Shoulder Birkin was fake or an authentic handbag.

Thank you very much for participating and Congratulations to all of our subscribers who guess that this Red JPG Shoulder Birkin was a Fake handbag!
We have provided additional photos so you can see how fake this handbag is…notice one of the feet is missing, We received this bag in this condition...if you can unscrew the feet off of your bag, it is clearly a fake bag.

Since we had a great response to our last blog regarding the fake handbag, we decided to send you another one…

Is this a fake or an authentic Hermes JPG Shoulder Birkin? 

90% of the bloggers chose bag #1 as the fake bag, we want to tell you the majority of the people who blogged in chose the WRONG BAG! 

Bag #1 is an authentic 35cm Hermes Fuchsia Chevre Birkin with Palladium Hardware. 

This is an ugly surprise…unfortunately this happens to many buyers who can not really distinguish between an authentic Hermes bag and a very good imitation.

The fake Hermes bags…unfortunately they can be mistaken for an authentic bag, seems that nowadays fake bag creators are doing everything to have their fake bags look like the authentic ones. 

But, there are always minor details that you can notice if what you are looking at is a fake or the real deal.

Can you spot the fake Hermes handbag?

Can you spot the fake bag here?

What is the differences between these two bags.

Why do you believe the one you have chosen is the fake bag?

We are back from a summer break...

But we never forgot you!

Even though we have been away, we still had you in mind and like you, we have been accompanied by our Birkins.  Although we love to take our Birkins to wonderful and fancy places, sometimes our Birkins come with us to not so fancy places. 

For example...have you ever seen someone at a super market with their Birkin sitting on the top basket?  Have you ever placed your birkin in a supermarket cart? Gorgeous, fabulous and expensive birkin bags sitting in the dirty supermarket cart being dragged all over the store. If you have seen one or if you have placed your bag on the top basket...tell us all about it!

We want to know and so do all the ladies who wear these bags!

So what happens when someone tells you the love of your life is a fake (not your lover) Your birkin, the bag you love and adore, the bag you would sell your first born for (or at least sell the child you currently have at home)

Not authentic?

How could that be possible? It’s worse than a mix-up at the hospital.

John knew how much I loved these bags?
He knew I would move the earth to get my little claws on the latest, hottest color.
Could he have possibly bought a fake?
Did he try to outsmart everyone and pay less for the world’s most coveted bag?
So when you receive the news that your bag is a fake (YIKES!!) and they tell you “No Madam the feet should not screw off on the bottom of the bag?

Here you are now, hating the world………….sigh……. and you have to do it with a $300 copy of the bag you adore.

How do we know when a bag is not real?  What do we look for to make sure our baby is the real deal? Of course the best way is to buy straight from an Hermes boutique. But what if you really cannot step foot inside their stores because the thought of sucking up to a salesperson for a $10,000 birkin makes you ill.

You must know your seller!

If you don’t know the seller, get their phone number and call them to hear their voice………..and then what?

What are the signs?
What do I look for in a fake birkin bag.
There are many signs…..but here are a few to start with:

The leather- Every leather Hermes makes has a name (Crazy! Like a new born baby!!!) You really need to make sure you know the leathers. Hermes has a leather book so ask to see “the book”

Stitching- All Hermes bags are hand stitched. You will see the stitching will not be perfect and sewed on an angle. So it’s slanted but also uneven, human hands cannot make perfect stitching………  (Straight stitching is a machine made fake for sure)

Ladies forget the letter stamp, the receipts………..those are not what make an Hermes bag authentic…..
Let’s just say when you have a new Hermes bag, there is a smell that cannot be compared to anything in this world, they just can’t bottle that fabulous leather smell!
Of course opening that big orange box can possibly the closest thing to sex next to a teucher champagne truffle………

Katie Holmes loves toting her Hermès Haut a Courroies bag around Manhattan.  Mary-Kate Olsen is constantly spotted carrying larger than life bags, which often look so much larger than they actually are against her petite frame. And celebrities are just as likely to be spotted with a teeny tiny bag, like Demi Moore's mini Kelly croc, as they are hauling a heavyweight handbag down the street. 

Celebrities aside, many women struggle with bag size--specifically, is a bag simply too large or too small for their body type? Delicate evening bags aside, a woman's handbag should never be smaller than her bottom. Unless you're built like Mary-Kate Olsen or Rachel Zoe, tiny wristlets or mini-Kellys like Demi Moore's should be avoided. Think about the proportions. If you're an average-sized woman, any mini-bag will only make you look larger. Likewise, if you're extremely petite and carry an HAC bag everyday, the bag will absolutely dwarf you. Katie Holmes is a tall woman, but she's also extremely slender, and at times, her gorgeous yet gigantic bag takes the attention away from her stylish ensembles. After all, Hermès designed the HAC in the 19th century as a bag fit to carry saddles, hunting gear, and riding equipment in. In other words, an HAC isn't built for simply toting your wallet and cell phone around in.

Your everyday bag should be large enough to accommodate your needs (Do you always carry a day planner? Your iPod? Your laptop?), small enough not to be an inconvenience (imaging attempted to carry on a croc HAC only to be told by airport security that you have to check it! I'd rather miss my flight than trust my Hermès bags to an airline!), and proportionate to your body (if you've got broad shoulders and are taller than six feet, a 25 cm Birkin may not flatter your frame. The Hermès JPG Birkin bag (named for Jean-Paul Gaultier), which can actually be carried over the shoulder, may be a better choice).

Follow this simple golden rule: if it looks like you're trying too hard to think "outside the box" with bag size, rethink your choice. The bag that looks wrong for you, size-wise, most likely is. Like dress size, everyone has a perfect bag "fit"... half the fun is finding yours!

Cleaning a gorgeous handbag can be a nervewracking experience if you're unsure of how to specially care for the skin, leather or fabric. To give you a hand, here's our guide to keeping your bags looking brand new for life.

Your Bag Gets its "Beauty Sleep"

At Createurs De Luxe, we always use gloves when handling your bags. Using the utmost care, we ensure that your bag arrives with its accessories, that the dustbag for the clochette matches the dustbag for the bag itself, and that the clochette and keys are enclosed inside the bag. When we close the bag, we make certain that the front straps overlap the pontets (the two thin metal parts in front of the bag) before placing the bag inside its dustbag. The bag is gently placed on its back in an orange Hermes Box, with white tissue forming a little "bed", with a tissue "pillow" for the bag's handles to rest on. The bag's raincoat is placed beside the tissue pillow, and tissue is folded over the bag (like tucking it in with a tissue "blanket"). All safely tucked in, your bag gets its "beauty sleep" on its way to you!

Because proper storage is just as crucial to protecting a bag from undesired wear and tear as cleaning, some women store their bags the same way we prepare them (as above). It's important to store your bag on its side, especially leather bags, because if the leather is soft, the bag will relax and "slouch" over time.

Cleaning Your Bag

The golden rule is to NEVER use ANY product not specifically intended for the skin, leather, or fabric of your bag. Do not use household products (we've actually heard of women using Pledge--shriek!), and do not use cream or oil conditioners on a dirty bag (you'll seal in the dirt).

For leather bags, start by gently running a clean, slightly damp cloth along the inside and outside of your bag. 
Use a very small dab (less than the size of a nickel) of leather cleaner (we like Lexol-pH, which produces a foaming lather) and clean the bag, inside and out. 
Apply a dab of leather balm (we like Saphir Creme Universella Leather Balm). 
Allow the balm to dry, then with a clean, dry cloth, buff the bag until it shines.
For toile and ostrich bags, we recommend using a toothbrush with a super gentle liquid soap and water.

Why Are My Exotic Bag's Handles Darker?!

Your hand lotion, suntan oil, and even the natural oils on your hands can cause your exotic bag's handles to darken. Unfortunately, this is not something that you yourself can fix or clean. For about $2,000, Hermès will change your handles--but the process takes about six months.

In the wine business, master sommeliers avoid wearing perfume to wine tastings because the experience of tasting wine can be altered by the introduction of additional fragrances to this nose. Just as sommeliers go without fragrance at special events, we suggest you go without your hand lotion on a day that you'll be handling your exotic bag. And if you're lathering up with oil and heading to the beach for the day... well, as we've said before, it may not be the place for your exotic Birkin!

We hope this is helpful to you, and urge you to contact us if you ever have questions on how to care for your Hermès bags. 

The post-holiday lull between January 1st and the first real days of spring can be depressing, especially if you live in colder climes. The winter months seem to drag on, bitterly cold, dull and colorless... but they don't have to.

Perhaps because of the global economic crisis, this year, we've seen more cheerful colors and bolder patterns coming out of Paris, Milan, and New York, and these flashes and splashes stand out best when paired with basic, tailored pieces. In Paris on Monday, hot Belgian designer Dries Van Noten unveiled his ready-to-wear collection for Fall '09, and it featured an array of mustard yellow blazers (check it out), surprising combinations of red and green separates (check it out), and wild animal prints (check it out). In Milan in January, Salvatore Ferragamo's collection was characterized by rich rouge dresses (check it out) and printed blouses (check it out). In New York last month, Isaac Mizrahi's RTW collection was a virtual rainbow of prints and hues (check it out). And even the men's ready-to-wear collection Hermes showed in Paris featured canary yellow jackets (check it out) and smart, colorful cardigans (check it out).

What does this mean for handbags? It means it's time to break out your colorful carry-alls and style them in surprising new ways. Think an Orange Crocodile Birkin with a charcoal gray suit. Or a Lagoon and Toile H Birkin with a cherry red shift dress. If your bag and shoes are basic black or brown, throw on a fierce green jacket or a bold animal print blouse.

Mixing and matching color in new ways has spilled over from the fashion industry into everything else: wedding vendors report turquoise and red as one of the hottest new wedding color schemes and interior design magazines are urging decorators to consider a purple accent wall for an unexpected burst of color in a dining room or library. The key to pulling off a surprising combination is to pull separates together with a single "goes with anything" unifying piece: a wide black belt, brown leather boots, a tailored navy blazer, a creamy white sweater, or a sophisticated bag.

What's your boldest style color combo, and what bag do you carry to pull it off?

Last week, we discussed "A Night Out with your Hermès Bag".  Today, I want to talk about how your bags can be used to pull together your daytime look. Some women fret about what prints or patterns to avoid when carrying their crocodile Birkins (anything too busy will distract from and/or clash with the bag), if they have to wear a brown belt when carrying a brown bag (not necessarily!), and, of course, shoes, shoes, shoes!

Let's look to the stars for a little guidance.

On February 27, Hilary Duff left her hair appointment in LA with her Black Birkin in tow (check it out). While carrying a black bag allows for a lot of versatility, Hil kept her look low-key: cropped black jacket over a charcoal gray tee, black leggings, and killer gray stitched boots. To compliment the gold hardware on her bag, she sports a gold ring on her right middle finger. She looks comfortable but very chic, and her Birkin helps makes the ensemble seem more sophisticated.

Victoria Beckham certainly travels in style, and while her Tri-Color Kelly is a bold companion to this stunning checkered jacket (check it out), but she makes it work. The Kelly's rouge hue accentuates the red in the jacket, and is perfectly accessorized with Christian Louboutin pumps that are just a shade darker than the bag.

It's interesting to see how one person can style one bag so differently. The Fuschia Crocodile Birkin Eva Longoria Parker loves to carry is clearly the focal point of her casual white sundress/flip flops ensemble (check it out). And it remains the focal point with her all-black belted dress, fishnets, and boots ensemble (check it out). The color really pops, against the black or the white, and instead of trying to find complimentary colors (which could've yielded disaster with such a hot pink), Eva kept it basic.

I love the splash of a colorful bag with a casual outfit... Julia Roberts may have been trying to stay hidden from the paparazzi here (check it out) but see how her Blue Birkin gives her away?

When in doubt, with a crocodile bag, keep your fabrics uncomplicated and prints and patterns to a minimum. Colorful bags are best with simple shades, like whites, browns, blacks, and grays. And try to keep your hardware, jewelry, and accessories uniform--silver or gold, chunky or sleek. Shoes should be understated with a bold or croc bag, but can be fun and fabulous (think Hil's boots above) with a simpler bag. 

What's your analysis of how Lindsay Lohan styled her Birkin (check it out)? I'd love to hear it.

How do you style your favorite bag for daytime looks? Share your thoughts in our comment section below.

You're headed out for a big night--perhaps a cocktail party, a benefit, or dinner at the new restaurant you've been dying to try.

You've got the dress, the shoes, and the jewelry. There's only one thing left to decide on, and it can make or break the outfit: which Hermès bag will you carry?
The size, handles, material, and hardware are important factors to consider. For a crowded venue with little elbow room, a heavy, 35cm Birkin that will hang in the crook of your elbow all night may not be a practical choice. And it's difficult to even fit your hand through a 25cm Birkin handle, let alone carry a plate or a cocktail while your Birkin dangles from your wrist.

If you need to shake hands and hold a drink for the majority of an evening, you need a hands-free bag. A smaller bag, like the Kelly Pochette, would be a more sensible option--plus, when you're seated, you can hold it securely in your lap. For a black tie affair, an elegant statement clutch, like the Medor Clutch, can carry your essentials without weighing you down and features the added bonus of dazzling, chunky hardware (Hermès Collier de Chien studding). With the Medor, not only is your outfit sexy, but your bag is too. 

Ladies, let's talk. I know we love our Hermés Birkin bags to the point that we want to carry them everywhere. However, having witnessed firsthand Birkins on beach towels, Birkins on restaurant floors, and--yuck!--Birkins on bathroom floors, I felt compelled to share with you these Five Commandments of Birkin Behavior.

1. Thou Shall Not Put Dog Poop in Your Birkin: This would be a no-brainer, right? Not for the woman in Palm Beach that I witnessed toting her 35cm gold Hermés Birkin while walking her dog. The dog did his business, and the woman collected it in a plastic bag... which she then deposited in her Birkin.
   
   Feel free to take a moment to scream out loud before reading on.
   
   Perhaps she thought it too icky to carry the plastic bag in her hand to the nearest trash bin, but I'd sooner pay someone to help me find a trash can than put a bag of fresh dog poop in my Birkin.



2. Thou Shall Not Put Your Birkin on the Floor of a Public Restroom: Again, seemingly common sense, but I've seen it. Sure it's difficult to fit your Birkin straps over the hook on the back of the stall door, so here's what I do: loop one strap through the other, make sure the side with the toggle is facing away from the door, and hang the Birkin by one strap, which fits on a standard hook much better than both straps do. If you can't figure this out, then set the Birkin on your lap, but for Pete's sake, do not put it on the icky, dirty floor of a public restroom.



3. Thou Shall Not Leave Your Birkin Unattended Poolside or on a Beach: It's a glorious, warm, sunny day at the beach or pool, and after hours of sunning you decide to hop into the water to cool off.
   
   Not if you brought your Birkin with you.
   
   Perhaps you trust that most women can stroll past a Birkin sitting unsupervised on a lounge chair or beach towel and resist the temptation. Well, I don't! All it takes is five seconds with your back turned, and you've inadvertantly made some stranger the happiest woman on earth. If your day at the beach or pool includes going for a swim, leave your Birkin at home. Otherwise, your booty is landlocked for the day.



4. Thou Shall Not Set Your Birkin on the Floor of a Restaurant: Do you kick your Birkin? No? Then why should you allow restaurant servers to do so? If you set your Birkin on the ground beside your chair when out to dine, waitresses will step on it, bus boys will kick it, and it will become a hazard to innocent passersby--or even yourself (there's nothing less graceful than tripping over your own bag, ladies). Ask for a table with a booth and set your Birkin beside you. Or, if at all possible, set your Birkin on an empty chair at your table. Under no circumstances should the underside of your Birkin touch a restaurant floor.



5. Thou Shall Not Carry Your Shiny Croc Birkin in the Rain: You can get caught in the rain; your Birkin can't. If your shiny, crocodile Birkin gets exposed to rain, you will immediately have non-treatable spots on your bag. Because Mother Nature is not always predictable, be prepared: keep a giant plastic bag--large enough to fit your Birkin in--in your car. Is it glamorous to carry your Birkin in a plastic bag? No. Is doing so more glamorous than having a permanently damaged, spotted Birkin? Yes. Long story short, if rain is in the forecast, use your back-up handbag.

Many of these simple rules boil down to common sense. Our Birkins deserve better, ladies.

In 2003, when online retailer Bluefly.com ran a promotion to give away twelve Hermès bags (six Birkin, six Kelly), a camera crew hit the streets
of Manhattan to ask fashionistas,"What would you do for a Birkin bag?"

Many women volunteered various forms of public nudity, ranging from riding around in a cab naked to stripping and tightrope walking above the city. Another brave woman offered to lick a Manhattan sidewalk. But in a moment that will live on forever in YouTube history, with a stone-cold serious expression on her face, one woman offered to sacrifice her first born.

When FOX 11 in Los Angeles covered the sweepstakes, the male members of the news team were incredulous. "Six thousand dollars for a bag?" they kept repeating. Lifestyle Anchor Jillian Reynolds replied, simply, "It's a Birkin." Her matter of fact response said it all. Items of exceptional quality are priced accordingly. A Birkin bag isn't simply a purse, just as a Porsche isn't simply a car, and a 1787 Chateau Lafite Bordeaux isn't simply a bottle of wine.

I'm reminded of the Sex & the City movie, when Kim Catrell's self-loving Samantha Jones (who memorably dropped Lucy Liu's name to get bumped up the Birkin bag wait list during the TV series) bids up to $50,000 for a gorgeous diamond flower cocktail ring at an auction house, and still loses it. When she gets home to L.A., she is surprised to see that her movie star boyfriend has purchased the ring for her; and instead of being overjoyed, she's disappointed. It isn't that she's ungrateful--it's that this was something she had wanted to buy for herself.

Just the other day my friend's niece said, "When I get my first Birkin bag, I want to be the one to save up for it, select it and pay for it.  To me, the bag would then represent something more than the Hermès label and Birkin story; it would represent me"

What does the bag you're most proud of say about you?