284 boxes filled with designer bags were recently confiscated from the former prime minister's house to use as evidence into the 1MDB scandal.
Apparently, amongst the stash included the much-coveted Hermès Birkin designer handbags.
SINGAPORE - Birkin bags are in the news again. On Thursday night (May 17), Malaysian police raided three apartments in a luxury Kuala Lumpur condominium owned by former prime minister Najib Razak's family.
A total of 284 boxes containing luxury handbags - including dozens and dozens of orange boxes holding Hermes Birkin bags - were loaded into trucks and carted away. Several of the orange boxes were tagged with photographs of different Birkin bags, with descriptions such as "Brown Ostrich".
Madam Rosmah Mansor, Datuk Seri Najib's wife, is known for her love of Birkin bags. Over the years, stories and images have been published showing her carrying Birkins of different hues.
It was reported that she bought a US$200,000 (S$270,000) crocodile Birkin bag in 2015. Her aide denied it. A recent New York Times article (May 15), however, quoted a broker who estimated that the value of her Hermes Birkin handbag collection was worth at least US$10 million.
Here are five things to know about the handbags, among the most highly coveted items in the luxury fashion world.
1. YOU CAN'T JUST WALK INTO A HERMES STORE AND BUY THEM
Only a few pieces of Birkin bags are produced annually and there is no fixed schedule as to when they are sent to the stores.
The waiting list to buy one is long, reportedly up to six years and new bags cost anything from S$16,000 to S$268,600, depending on the rarity of the crocodile skin and embellishments that could include gold buckles and diamond studs.
The alternative is to buy them off the secondary market and auction houses, where they are even pricier because of the bag's high investment value.
2. A RARE MODEL WAS AUCTIONED FOR HK$2.98 MILLION IN HONG KONG
So what's the big deal about these bags? Fans rave about the blemish-free quality of the leather, the gleam of the hardware and the meticulous construction. They also come in many colours and sizes, and hold their value. And, of course, the status attached to being able to afford - or be gifted - such a luxury.
A diamond-encrusted Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin 30 was auctioned off at HK$2.98 million (S$510,000) at Christie's late last year, making it the most expensive handbag ever sold at an auction.
The buyer was not named, but was said to be from outside of Asia.
An employee holds an Hermes diamond and Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Birkin handbag at Heritage Auctions offices in Beverly Hills, California, on Sept 22, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS
The international head of handbags and accessories at Christie's, Mr Matthew Rubinger, told South China Morning Post that the Himalaya Birkins are coveted for their "extreme rarity, iconic status and craftsmanship".
Only one or two Himalaya Birkins are made every year.
3. THEY ARE NAMED AFTER BRITISH-FRENCH ICON JANE BIRKIN
English actress and singer Jane Birkin and her husband, French singer and composer Serge Gainsbourg in Paris, France, on Dec 13, 1973. PHOTO: AFP
In 1984, late Hermes chairman and artistic director Jean-Louis Dumas created the bag for British-French actress, singer and model Jane Birkin after she told him that she had trouble finding the ideal weekend leather bag.
In 2015, Birkin asked for her name to be removed from the bag after animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) alerted her to the cruel slaughtering process that crocodiles went through for the production of the bags.
She allowed Hermes to keep using the name after the company conducted an investigation and identified the the cruel practices as an "isolated irregularity".
4. A SINGAPOREAN HAS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST BIRKIN BAG COLLECTION
Socialite Jamie Chua posing with her collection of Birkin bags. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Singapore socialite Jamie Chua reportedly has one of the biggest collections of Birkin bags - more than 200. The flight attendant turned skincare entrepreneur's collection is said to be worth S$2.9 million and is housed in a room-sized walk-in closet.
Famous celebrities who collect them include television star Kim Kardashian West and Spice Girl and fashion designer Victoria Beckham.
Back in 2009, Beckham was reported to be in the proud possession of 100 Birkin bags.
5. IT'S NOT JUST FOR WOMEN
Celebrity hairstylist David Gan carrying a taupe Hermes Birkin bag. PHOTO: ST FILE
American fashion designer Marc Jacobs, hip-hop star Pharrell Williams and American figure skater Johnny Weir are several famous men who rock the Birkin bag.
According to a 2016 report by American fashion magazine W, men go for neutral colours and the larger sizes. The Birkin, it adds, is "the perfect companion for a male jet-setter".
It would take 5 trucks to load an unbelievable amount of luxury handbags, jewellery and cash in what appears to be the biggest confiscation in the history of the country. Malaysia former Prime Minister Najib Razak is in such deep trouble that he had resorted to taking a photo with his aged mother, the widow of second Prime Minister Abdul Razak, to gain sympathy.
Mr. Najib who lost the 14th general election on May 9th had tried to flee under the pretext of spending time with family. But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is now in charge of the country for the second time after ruling the country from 1981 to 2003, knew all the tricks and had barred the corrupt Najib from leaving the country.
As locksmiths continue to crack open a stubborn safe in Najib’s house at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, where the entrance and exit points were cordoned off days ago, the Royal Malaysia Police have a very successful catch of the day elsewhere. Luxury condominium – Pavilion Residences – has attracted curious onlookers since midnight.
The police operation, which concurrently have raided 6 premises since Wednesday around the capital of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya – including the Prime Minister’s Office – saw truck after truck being brought to the loading bay of Pavilion Residences. The luxury condominium was one of the three premises at the Pavilion Residences Apartment being “checked” by the police.
An eye-popping 284 boxes containing handbags, believed to be belonging to Rosmah Mansor, have been confiscated. During a press conference at the luxury condominium where the operation by Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) was carried out, its director Amar Singh has confirmed that Hermes Birkin is one of many luxurious brands of handbags being seized.
On top of the hundreds of designer handbags, the police was also flabbergasted at the total value of the seizures which also included 72 luggage and carrier bags of cash and jewellery stored in the condominium unit. Mr. Amar Singh said – “This is one of the three premises at the Pavilion Residences Apartment being checked by the CCID. We don’t have the details on the total amount. A lot!!”
While confirming the cash seized was of various currencies, the CCID director, however, refused to comment when asked if the jewellery includes gold bars. There are speculations that the safe in Najib’s residence probably contains gold bars and diamonds, including the 22-carat pink diamond necklace worth a staggering US$27 million bought using money stolen from 1MDB.
Najib’s lawyer Harpal Singh Grewal has claimed the key to the safe in Najib’s residence has been misplaced. The raid at Najib’s house is being conducted based on the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001. CCID director Mr. Amar Singh confirmed that the raids on the premises are related to an investigation into 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) scandal involving Najib.
Two days ago, there were reports of government-owned trucks being misused to transport “mysterious boxes” to the same luxury condominium along Jalan Raja Chulan. Those boxes could be the same boxes of designer handbags being seized during the latest operation. What this means is Rosmah was desperately trying to hide her collection of Hermes Birkin handbags.
There were also reports of police forced to bring in a machine to count money, suggesting the cash seized is substantial. While former premier Najib Razak is known to practice “cash is king” policy, his wife Rosmah Mansor has in many occasions proudly displayed her Hermes Birkin handbags together with expensive watches and gems.
Najib’s taste for expensive watches included RM3.5 million Grisogono, RM120,000 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, RM165,000 Hublot Big Bang King Power Red Devils Manchester United, RM97,500 Harry Winston Project Z2 and RM50,000 Hublot BB Black Magic Black Ceramics (arguably his cheapest watch in his collection), among others.
Rosmah, on the other hand, has been seen wearing expensive watches such as RM2.03 million Roger Dubius Velvet Haute Joaillerie, RM1 million Jacob & Co. Mystery Diamond Baguette, RM648,000 Richard Mille, RM207,000 Chanel J12, RM188,000 Franck Muller Master Square 18K and RM101,000 Hublot Black Pink Bang, just to name a few.
As far back as 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Rosmah spent about AUD100,000 at Sydney fashion designer Carl Kapp boutique. After dropping the money for 61 dresses, pants and tops, she became Kapp’s biggest customer and was awarded “First Lady Of Shopping” by the boutique. Kapp said – ”She was absolutely gracious and very easy to deal with.”
Celebrity Victoria Beckham is said to own as many as 100 of Hermes Birkin handbags. She was perhaps the first celebrity to own the mega-expensive Hermès Birkin Himalayan crocodile handbag, before Kim Kardashian follows the footstep. Other celebrities – Pamela Anderson, Lady Gaga, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts – are some of Hermès Birkin fans.
But after the confiscation of Rosmah’s collection of Hermes Birkin handbags by the police, there’s a good chance that Malaysia’s former First Lady could snatch the title from celebrities as the biggest owner of Hermes. Selling at more than US$20,000 a pop for the cheapest range, Birkins are the most sought after bag in the world, due to its investment value.
Last year, a matte white Himalaya Niloticus crocodile diamond Birkin 30 handbag was sold in Hong Kong for over US$377,000 – a new world record. Auction house Christie’s said the Hermes bag, which boasts 18 karat white gold and diamond hardware, was purchased by an “unidentified buyer” after 15 minutes of “intense” bidding.
Himalayan Birkins are considered the rarest, most sought-after handbags in the world. While Hermes won’t say how many they make, Christie’s believe only one or two are produced each year due to the painstaking and lengthy hours in its dyeing process. Even if you have the money, buying one is extremely difficult. The auction house said there is a 6-year waiting list to buy a new one.
You can’t simply walk into a store to buy a Birkin. You have to have a purchase history at the store to just get started. Even then, Hermès Birkin needs to “interview you”, assess how serious you are about spending, and then you go on their list. It would be interesting to see if the seizure of designer handbags from Rosmah’s collection include Himalayan Birkins.
Rosmah’s collection of designer handbags, on top of Hermes Birkin, are believed to be from Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Michael Kors, Dolce Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Piana Clerico, among others. Designer watches of various brands, not to mention gems, stones and whatnot.
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© Provided by Malay Mail Two fuchsia pink Hermes Birkin bags can be seen labelled among the pile of boxes containing designer bags that were confiscated in last night’s raid. — Picture by Hari Anggara
Two fuchsia pink Hermes Birkin bags can be seen labelled among the pile of boxes containing designer bags that were confiscated in last night’s raid. — Picture by Hari Anggara
PETALING JAYA, May 18 — After last night’s raid at the Pavilion Residences, it is now only a matter of time before we find out if Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor really is the owner of a record-breaking diamond-encrusted fuchsia pink Hermes Birkin handbag.
In 2015, a fuchsia pink crocodile Hermes Birkin bag was auctioned off for a whopping US$223,000 (RM887,103) at Christie’s International Plc in Hong Kong.
It was the most expensive handbag ever sold at an auction then.
According to the Telegraph, all 10 bags sold at the auction with highest bids were bought by private Asian buyers.
© Provided by Malay Mail The fuchsia porosus crocodile Hermes Birkin was the most expensive handbag ever sold at its time of auction in 2015. — Picture via Christie's
The fuchsia porosus crocodile Hermes Birkin was the most expensive handbag ever sold at its time of auction in 2015. — Picture via Christie's
Sale of the said bag, which featured diamond and 18k white gold hardware shattered the previous auction record for a handbag.
In the image taken by Malay Mail as authorities confiscated nearly 300 designer handbags from the high-end condo belonging to ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the top left box can be seen labelled ‘H-bag Fuschia Pink Croco Skin Hermes’ while the third box from the top bears the label ‘Fushia Pink Croco Skin Hermes w/ Diamante’.
Shortly after the record auction of the pink designer handbag in 2015, pictures of Rosmah carrying a similar bag began circulating on social media, sparking rumours that she had purchased it.
Previously, whistleblower site Sarawak Report claimed that billionaire businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low was funding Rosmah’s shopping spree but Rosmah’s aide Datuk Rizal Mansor has denied the accusation.
© Provided by Malay Mail Rosmah is seen with a fuchsia pink Hermes Birkin handbag. — Picture via helenang.wordpress.com
Rosmah is seen with a fuchsia pink Hermes Birkin handbag. — Picture via helenang.wordpress.com
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