When speaking about luxury fashion, people tend to mention Hermes above the rest.. Birkin and Kelly bags made by Hermès are now recognized as symbols of having high status and wealth. 

Still, it begs the question: Why are Hermes bags so expensive? Is the luxury just from the brand name, or is there something else that sets these at a much higher price, often crossing AED 50,000 in the UAE?

Let’s see what brings such high prices to fashion masterpieces and why they are always popular with fashion enthusiasts.

A Brief History of the Birkin Bag

There is no way to explain Birkin bags’ steep prices without understanding how they came to be. Jean-Louis Dumas, who was running Hermès, made the well-known Birkin bag in 1984 upon meeting actress Jane Birkin accidentally on a plane.

The designers created the bag so it could hold everything but also look elegantly casual. Nowadays, the Birkin is not only a bag; it’s also a smart investment.

The starting price for a Togo leather Birkin 25 in the UAE market is AED 40,000–45,000, but crocodile or ostrich versions can be much more and sell for more than AED 200,000. These items are not bought on impulse, but instead show off one’s status.

Hermès Bag Prices in the UAE: What to Expect

The reason Hermès bag prices in the UAE are very high is because of worldwide demand, taxes charged for imported goods, their selective nature, and their status in the luxury market across the Gulf.

• You can get a Birkin 25 bag in Togo leather for anywhere from AED 40,000 to AED 45,000, depending on the shade you pick and the type of hardware used.

• If you’re looking at a Birkin 30 or 35, expect to spend between AED 50,000 and AED 70,000; however, a very rare special edition of this bag could be much more, reaching up to AED 100,000.

• Because it is an Epsom leather Kelly 25, the bag usually costs between AED 38,000 and AED 45,000.

• There are more expensive versions made from exotic leather, and these sometimes start around AED 120,000 and may reach as high as AED 500,000 or more.

• A Himalayan Birkin, which is considered the best designer bag, once sold for AED 1.5 million at an auction in the UAE.

These are not just purchases—they’re acquisitions. Many collectors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi view Hermès bags as investment-grade pieces, with some even building portfolios of bags to buy second-hand luxury items now and sell designer bags later for profit.

Reasons Why Hermes is So Expensive

1. Impeccable Craftsmanship Takes Time

One of the main reasons why Hermes is so expensive is due to the care and effort it puts into its products. An individual craftsman in France takes up to 40 hours or even more to make every Birkin bag by hand. Despite being precise, the saddle stitching approach makes for durability in the binding.

No one is allowed to make a Birkin or Kelly bag until they have completed at least two years of training. All the bags are carefully assembled, sewn by hand, dyed, and brought to a perfect shine using quality materials only. This commitment to detail is what separates a Hermès bag from factory-made designer alternatives.

2. Rarity and Exclusivity

Why are Birkin bags expensive? Because you can't just walk into a Hermès boutique and buy one. The scarcity is engineered by design. Most stores operate on an invite-only system, where access to a Birkin or Kelly bag is based on your purchasing history and relationship with the brand.

This deliberate limitation has created what economists call “artificial scarcity”, driving demand through the roof. Actually, a lot of people buy pre-owned designer bags used on the secondary market, since they cannot obtain a new one at a retail store, regardless of the price.

In the UAE, there are a lot of affluent buyers who not only like Birkins for their style but also as something valuable.

3. Premium Materials

Mostly, the reason why are Birkin bags so expensive is because of the high-quality materials that are used. Because Hermès goods are made with top-quality leathers and real exotic skins, their costs rise a lot.

At an auction held in Dubai, a Himalayan Birkin bag adorned with diamonds and made from an albino crocodile’s skin went for AED 1.5 million. That is something more than a luxury sports car.

Even more standard bags include hardware plated with gold or palladium, and the zippers, clasps, and locks are engineered to function flawlessly for decades.

4. The Investment Value

Most luxury goods tend to go down in value, but Hermès bags usually increase in worth. It was discovered in a recent report that Birkin bags did better than gold and the S&P 500 as investments. The fact that they are not produced in high amounts, made from good materials, and still attractive explains why they are valuable.

In the resale market in the UAE, a Birkin bag can be sold for more than 120% of its original retail cost, especially if the bag is in top shape or is very rare.

Because people want Hermes for fashion and as an investment, its high value remains strong, and demand has never decreased, explaining why are Hermes bags so expensive.

5. Timeless Brand Legacy

Hermès does not follow current fashion, but influences it instead. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has consistently focused on heritage, true traditions, and quality more than on mass sales.

Although other luxury labels fill the market with new products or follow every new fashion trend, Hermès still emphasizes its foundation. They release limited styles, control distribution strictly, and refuse to offer discounts or participate in sales. 

This brand philosophy reinforces the idea that Hermès bags are not just purchases but lifelong assets.

6. Social Status and Perception

Being open about it, the main reasons to have a Birkin bag involve both the meaning and the features. Anyone with a Hermès bag in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is clearly considered wealthy, special, and fashionable. Because Hermes bags are popular, they are linked to social status, which is one reason for why are Hermes bags so expensive.

In the UAE and many similar places, luxury items are highly valued and regarded as symbols of one’s way of life.

7. The Resale and Pre-Owned Market

The demand doesn’t stop at the boutique door. There is a booming resale market for Hermès bags where people buy and sell designer bags daily. Platforms offering authenticated pre-owned luxury goods have helped make these bags more accessible while preserving their prestige.

If you’re looking to buy luxury products in the UAE, the secondary market is often your best bet. Prices may still be steep, ranging from AED 35,000 to over AED 500,000, but you can skip the waitlist and get the exact bag you want.

8. Celebrity Endorsement Without Advertising

Unlike most high-end brands, Hermès doesn’t pay celebrities to carry their products. And yet, you’ll find Birkin bags in the hands of everyone from Victoria Beckham to the Kardashians to Emirati influencers. This organic form of endorsement fuels the mystique and desirability of the product.

The absence of traditional advertising only adds to the aura—after all, if you know, you know. This under-the-radar approach plays a big role in why are Birkin bags expensive, yet still sell out the moment they become available.

Final Thoughts: A Perfect Storm of Scarcity, Craft, and Clout

So, why are Hermes bags so expensive? It’s more than just using leather and stitching. Being a fashion brand means focusing on the legacy, originality, and limited production of your goods. Each process, starting with training artisans and choosing buyers, is set up to maintain the company’s value and prestige.

In the UAE, since there is high demand and purchasing power, a Birkin or Kelly reflects an individual’s good taste, includes financial wisdom, and acts as a status symbol. Whether you’re looking to buy designer bags for your personal collection or sell used designer products as investments, Hermès remains the gold standard.