Hermès Birkin 30 Barenia Fauborg - Fauve, GHW
Few handbags have my heart like this incredibly special bag. This Hermès Birkin in size 30 cm was my first ever Birkin offered to me by my sales associate at the Hermès boutique (I shop at the Hermès Houston boutique). I was texted by my sales associate in early March 2020 as the world was on the precipice of shutting down (literally only days to spare, as it turned out). I was informed the name of the leather was Barenia Fauborg - a newly released leather type that consisted of supple barenia leather that has been lightly grained which looks similar to Togo leather. Unlike Togo leather, however, the leather (in color Fauve) is naturally vegetable tanned to achieve its rich warm tan color—rather than dyed, like the leather color Hermès calls “Gold”. At first glance, in fact, it may even appear to be Gold Togo leather, but in fact it is much more rare, much more expensive, and a much more difficult process. Additionally, unlike togo, Barenia Fauborg leather acquires a patina over time, giving it subtle variations within itself that wear uniquely and completely to the owner’s carrying and storage habits.
An easy way to tell from a glance if a tan-colored birkin or kelly is made with Barenia Fauborg rather than Togo, is that BF leather is blind-embossed rather than foil-embossed.
In short: it’s a rare masterpiece and a true mark of the heritage and craftsmanship of the storied house of Hermès.
