Hermès Faubourg Birkin: A Miniature Masterpiece Inspired by Parisian Prestige
The Hermès Faubourg Birkin stands in a league of its own—highly sought-after, remarkably scarce, and instantly identifiable. This exceptional creation takes its design cues from the Parisian storefront at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the brand’s historic flagship store and its heart since 1880.
Unlike traditional Birkins, the Faubourg comes in a distinctive 20cm size, introduced specifically for this model. Crafted in the sharp-edged Sellier style—a rarity for Birkins until its 2019 debut—the Faubourg isn’t just small in stature; it’s grand in execution.
Every detail on this so-called "House Birkin" pays homage to the architectural charm of Hermès’ iconic boutique. Meticulously designed brick patterns, charming little windowpanes, and signature orange awnings bring the façade to life on leather. A miniature Hermès shopping bag replaces the traditional clochette, tying the design back to the brand’s unmistakable identity.
Debut of Faubourg
The debut of the Faubourg Birkin in 2019 introduced two editions: Day and Night. The "Day" features a Gold Madame calfskin body, accented with Craie Epsom windows, Brulee and Ebene Sombrero leathers, and an Ebene Matte Alligator flap and handles. The "Night" version is equally intricate—crafted in Deep Blue Madame leather, with Blue Indigo and Blue Obscur Sombrero, and Bleu Marine Matte Alligator details. Both are topped with Palladium hardware and finished with the signature orange awnings in Swift leather.
Only around 50 units were initially rumored to exist, though actual production is believed to be slightly higher. Even so, each piece remains extremely elusive.
In the years that followed, Hermès expanded the Faubourg collection with exclusive colorways:
- 2020: The So Black-inspired version with a blacked-out midnight motif and matching black hardware.
- 2021: A Snowy White version featuring Matte Beton Alligator and a Togo leather flap—a reversal of the original leather scheme.
These limited editions have become nearly mythical among fashion collectors, with the black and white variations often regarded as the most difficult to obtain.
2024 Releases: Disco & Rainy Days
Hermès added two fresh takes on the Faubourg in 2024. First, the Birkin Disco Faubourgbrings a bold, urban twist with black Box leather, a white graffiti-style version of the boutique façade, and a disco ball charm in place of the usual padlock—still featuring Palladium hardware.
Next came the Rainy Days Faubourg, which closely mirrors the structure of earlier editions but with a new color scheme. The flap is Matte Gris Ciment Alligator, while the main body is rendered in Gris Misty Epsom leather, with the signature orange Swift awnings and Palladium hardware.
Both bags are expected to retail at around $30,000, but resale prices—based on previous Faubourg trends—are projected to soar at least three to four times that.
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