Hermès

Hermès Shoulder Birkin 29 Gold Evercolor PHW

Palladium (PHW)

When Jean Paul Gaultier stretched the Birkin sideways in the early 2000s and hung it from the shoulder, he created one of the great cult objects in the Hermès canon; the Shoulder Birkin's modern return has been met with the fervour reserved for revived legends. The silhouette keeps everything Birkin — straps, touret, sculpted flap, saddle stitching — but reproportions the elongated body for the shoulder, where the original lived on the forearm. This example is rendered in Gold Evercolor with palladium hardware. Evercolor is one of the house's quiet modern triumphs — a fine, even micro-grain with a soft matte depth, smoother than Togo, warmer in the hand than Epsom. It gives the maison's honeyed saddle tan a velvet evenness that suits the elongated frame beautifully. Palladium cools the classic colour into something contemporary — tan without nostalgia. Worn over the shoulder it carries a full day with the ease the original Birkin never quite offered; this is the icon translated for motion. It sits close to the body, swallows notebook, phone and sunglasses, and leaves both hands free for the day's negotiations. Shoulder Birkins appear in a fraction of standard Birkin volumes, and the revival editions have been allocated even more selectively than the mainline bags. Early Gaultier-era examples now trade as collector trophies, and the new generation is following the same trajectory. Configurations in core neutrals like Gold are the ones institutions of taste hold longest. Ours is store fresh and untouched, exactly as released. It has passed the complete authentication protocol of our specialists. We would be delighted to arrange a private fitting at our Knightsbridge showroom — a strap-carried Birkin deserves trying on — or our personal shoppers can reserve it with worldwide insured delivery.

Inspected by hand in our London workroom. Private viewings by appointment.
JULL is not affiliated with Hermès International S.A.