Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World’s Most Coveted Handbag

By Michael Tonello

 

Product Description

 

An insider’s hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin

For more than twenty years, the Hermès Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermès, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello . . .

Michael’s newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermès scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermès to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay’s most successful entrepreneurs—and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women.

With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his “shoppers” held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag “reserved” bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers.

Whether he’s relating his wining and dining, buying and selling, dodging and weaving, laughing and crying, or schmoozing and stammering, Michael is a master raconteur who weaves together tales of hunting Birkins in the world’s most posh locales, memories of meals that would make any gastronome salivate, anecdotes of obsessed collectors with insatiable desires, and sweetly intimate stories about his family, friends, and finding true love. The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.

 

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1028 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

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Editorial Reviews

Huffington Post
“The one-step, one-stop shop guide to buying a Birkin.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Funny, whip-smart. . . . Both a hilarious raid on fashion’s strongholds and a memoir that satisfies like a novel. Fashion die-hards, and many others, will be delighted from beginning to end.”

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Customer Reviews

Great Read
This is not normally the type of book that I would read (non-fiction, fashion related), but I loved it. I couldn’t put it down in parts, because I couldn’t wait to see how the situations that he found himself in turned out. He brings you along for the adventure, and also adds his funny (and sometimes sarcastic) commentary, which I loved. Definitely a fun book to read.

A wild ride! Not just for the “fashionistas”
An exciting, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud romp through the bizarre world of the modern day bazaar. Truly a fascinating voyeuristic peek into the intersection of an internet based business & the weird characters obsessed with outrageously high priced fashion items.

This is NOT just a book about fashion. I believe you’ll enjoy the book if you are interested in : money, business, the internet and…. (oh yeah) $30,000 purses.

Birkin Book — Great!!
Bringing Home the Birkin is an excellent book — very well-written, witty, and fun! This book would be a great pick to bring on a trip or vacation, or just to relax with at home, as it is a smooth and enjoyable read from beginning to end. The world of luxury goods (specifically, Hermes) is explored during one man’s adventures as he travels the world purchasing Hermes goods and reselling them to (quite interesting!) clients on Ebay. Anyone picking up a copy of this book is sure to enjoy it.