I have been an avid Hermes bag collector for almost 13 years and continually educate myself on the skins, the styles and colors each season. I was always told that Hermes stays away from python skin (not snob worthy enough for bags, but Hermes is making python shoes next season!) so imagine my surprise when I came upon this photo of Karina Smirnoff with a python Birkin!!! It’s obviously fake, the python is a dead giveaway of course, but the shape of the bag is a bit off, too. The squareness is similar to that of the HAC, but the handles are too long to be the HAC. So I concluded this to be a fake. But before pointing fingers, I sent it to several different Hermes boutiques, and everyone agrees with me – FAKE! As a point of reference, I’m including a photo of an authentic Birkin below. Sofia Vergara with the Gris Touterelle in 30cm (I have the same! Love the dove gray!).
Photo: Wenn
I wonder if she even knows it’s fake??
Totally FAKE…Totally UGLY!!!! I love Python but it just doesnt look right on a Birkin.
Perhaps cuz its FAKE!!! =)
OH MY GOD
I am horrified by that fake bag ad! I don’t know how these fake bag ads get up here on Google. I have repeatedly asked our tech person to fix this. Please ignore!
This is UGLY! Wow, the proportions are off and the python is icky. If anyone needed to a reason to stay away from fake bags, this is a really good one.
It is just tacky. I saw someone with an obvious fake birkin in shiny croc and it was a major DON’T moment.
Too funny!
LOL. A fake snake!
Dear Bag Snob,
I’m a bit birkin off topic here, but wondering what is your take on the hermes evelyne (either etoupe or red)? I am so keen to purchase my first Hermes and this is the only style which will suit my lifestyle (unless you can recommend another style). I am a very casual person for now who wears black+jeans all the time with 3 little kids, hence want my hands free most of the time when we are out and about. BTW, is it true that Hermes use glue in the construction of their bag because it’s handcrafted? My friend’s bag has. Please enlighten me. With Thanks.
Lauren
Haha, oh snap on being called out for a fake, Karina! I loathe fakes. What’s the point? People who carry them are not fooling anyone who knows better. And aren’t the people that know better the ones to impress? 🙂
Dear Bag Snob,
Why doesn’t Hermes use python for their bags? I always thought it was a ‘finer’ material than leather? I’m very curious about this! Thanks.
Karina may know that this bag is a replica Birkin, but it could be in REAL python skin. I happen to admire the shape and style of the Birkin as well, but couldn’t it just be that she liked the style? Since Hermes doesn’t offer that handbag in that skin, couldn’t she have had one made by someone else? Not everyone that carries a replica bag is trying to “fool” anyone, perhaps they just like the style but don’t want to pay an outrageous price for it… Just a thought…
Oh..I have to say this bag looks ugly..It just like a piece of plastic paper or something toxic!!
Empress may be on to something. Could it be a bag made in python by another manufacturer?
There needs to be a clearer definition of “fake”. That bag may look just like another manufacturer’s version of a Birkin but is not replicating a Birkin.
I was think the same thing as Empress. Who says its a Hermes. There are plenty of designers who make bags similar in that shape. And on top of that I thought it was really tacky that ya’ll as a site would call someone out!!
How juvenile to actually want to embarrass someone by ‘exposing’ them in such a way! Whether she’s carrying a fake or not is irrelevant – I didn’t know this site was run by 10 year olds… How disappointing.
You must be someone who buys fake bags. It is important to expose celebs who carry fake bags because most of these bags are made in third world countries by children!
And it’s obvious a fake birkin, you can see the fake lock, clochette, and Hermes stamp on another gossip site.
As an owner of serveral Hermes birkins, I am appalled by this. It’d be fine if it was just a square style bag with similar hardware. But exact replica complete with stamping? Puuhlease! You are the juvenile one who thinks it’s okay to buy fake bags that exploit children!
Love Sofia’s Gris Touterelle – and the gray hue is just so appropriate for her beautiful look.
Thank you for sharing a pic of an authentic – washes away the horror of seeing the replica/fake/knockoff/counterfeit/look-a-like or whatever it is. :/
I so agree with Empress & dcsurfergirl! 😀 Seriously, what’s the point of getting an Authentic Hermes but not in something one desire (in this case, a real python)?! If the real Hermes can’t produce it, then let others produce it…
Please post a link to the site which shows Karina carrying her bag and the close-ups of the bag. I have scoured the net and have been unable to find it. You do know that Hermes will custom produce as well.
why are you so uptight?? There are plenty of Hermes look-alike that are made in Italy under other brand names. Is it considered fake? Own a few Hermes bags doesn’t make you an expert. Hermes actually does a lot of custom bags for its clients. Maybe you are just not one of them! and the comment about third world countries? It was so irrelevant. Let me tell you. If you do believe that most of the fake bags are made from the hands of children..(which is not true ) you’d better stop using any product that comes from those countries as well.. can you do that?
I agree with you ! I think someone who like authentic bags is the rich one, and have a lifestyle, but if someone want to have lifestyle with no so much money….. It’s Ok using fake bags.
The reason of the third country and the children …. It’s not makes sense…LOL
If Victoria Beckham was snapped with a python Birkin NOBODY would question the authenticity of it eh?! I can see that Karina’s bag is NOT an Hermes original but it isn’t really that surprising. Python skin isn’t all that expensive and many well made bags (both replicas AND original designs) are available in Asia at prices starting from US$150/-. Karina just needs to be a bit more savvy and choose a non-replica exotic skin bag next time. I personally buy authentic Hermes Birkins/Bolides in leather but get my exotic skin bags custom made at a fraction of the price but NEVER copy originals (the lawyer in me understands that is a no no!!).
I’m not sure that’s supposed to be a Birkin — it actually looks like a Michael KORS bag to me — perhaps a python version of his Hamilton tote??
Hi Catherine,
Hermes does not use python in their bags because the skin/scales are hard to control.
And they absolutely will not make a custom order python birkin!
I am working with Hermes on a bespoke bag and trust me, no python! Not even for a celeb. I was at Hermes today again and the Director just returned from Paris, she re-assured me, no python bags.
To Madhvi and Katie – read this. The counterfeit trade is not an innocent trade.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Designer-Fakes-Tourists-Told-Not-To-Buy-Counterfeit-Handbags-And-Clothing-Etc-Or-Risk-Hefty-Fines/Article/200908415366982?lid=ARTICLE_15366982_DesignerFakes:TouristsToldNotToBuyCounterfeitHandbagsAndClothingEtcOrRiskHeftyFines&lpos=searchresults
this is for everyone that uses the tired “fakes are made in unfair working conditions in third world countries” line:
China Blue, a documentary on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq4yG22WcrY
it is very interesting if you have the time to watch it. it is about exploited children in factories making..wait for it… Jeans!
jeans that are meant for the american market, most likely sold at your local Walmart, etc.
Jeans, not fake bags.
so yeah, child exploitation and sweatshops are an unfortunate reality, but not exclusive to the production of fake bags.
It’s okay to be against fakes, but it’s laughable and hypocritical to condemn people who wear them for “supporting unfair working conditions/terrorism/drug cartels/whatever”. Do you know where all your clothes/electronics/children’s toys came from?
Just say you don’t like your favorite brand being diluted and carried by people that can’t afford a 1k+ handbag!
Looks like this isnt her first “fake birkin”
http://www.buzzfoto.com/wp-content/gallery/080407fcs_karinasmirnoff_buzzfoto/080407FCS_KarinaSmirnoff_007.jpg
and a possible authentic ?
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/startracks/080512/karina_smirnoff.jpg
I think it’s important to understand that the people who design these bags are artists and that this type of creativity takes time and extreme thought. It’s loathsome to think that there is any justification for copying and producing knock-offs. And, don’t give me that “Copying is form of flattery” it’s not it’s theft.
Hi I just have to say that this is false. Hermes has made python birkin bags. My friend who lives in Las Vegas is married to a billionaire lawyer and she had bought one from hermes. And I fell in love with it so I wanted one really bad. I already had a small collection of 9 hermes birkin bags which does include a 35cm black croc birkin with silver hardware which I adore. So I went with my aunt who is highly respected at hermes and we did a special order for me. I ordered a 25cm brown python birkin with silver hardware. Which I got within 2 months. So hermes does have python birkins. It also depends because not all hermes boutiques sell the same stuff. The buyers choose what goes in every store. So know what you’re talking about before you write about it no matter what the clown sales associates tell you!