For more than twenty years, the Hermes Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. With a fabled waiting list of more than two years to purchase one, the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing this coveted carryall. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello. . . .
With down-to-earth wit, Michael Tonello chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent and from eBay to Paris auction houses and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs alike on the road to becoming a successful entrepreneur and Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women.
Goodreads link
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor
“Bringing Home the Birkin” by Michael Tonello is a book that could have been so much more, but ultimately left me disappointed. While the premise of the book is intriguing – a man making a living buying and selling the most coveted handbag in the world – the execution falls flat.
Tonello’s writing style is conversational and easy to read, but it lacks depth and substance. The book is essentially a collection of anecdotes about his experiences buying and selling Birkin bags, with very little analysis or insight into the world of luxury fashion. I was hoping for a more critical examination of the industry and its impact, but instead got a shallow glimpse into the superficiality of the wealthy elite.
What’s more, I found Tonello’s lack of concern for practical matters such as obtaining a work visa to be concerning. As an American working in Spain, it seems strange that he would not address how he was able to stay in the country and earn a living without the proper documentation. It left me with more questions than answers, and detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, while “Bringing Home the Birkin” has an interesting premise, it fails to deliver on its potential. Tonello’s lack of depth and insight, combined with his strange omission of practical concerns, left me feeling unsatisfied with the book.
Have you heard of this incredibly expensive bag? Why do you think it is so coveted?
In The Library 