Hermès CEO Axel Dumas has made his feelings clear about Walmart’s $78 version of Hermès Birkin $13,000 handbag. Using the words “irritated” and “annoyed,” Dumas expressed his displeasure at the discount store’s “Wirkins” — leather purses that look strikingly similar to a Birkin but are much more affordable and easier to obtain. The coveted Hermès handbag — named after British film star, style icon and singer, Jane Birkin — takes a minimum of 18 hours for a single craftsman to make and it’s only available from Hermès via invitation from a sales associate. Walmart began selling its knockoff in December, with popularity soaring almost immediately. The handbag, which comes in olive, black, orange, elephant gray, emerald green and ivory white, sold out quickly. Soon after the cheap alternative created a frenzy online, Walmart made the drastic decision to stop selling them. Instead, the retail giant announced a partnership with luxury second-hand handbag supplier Rebag, which sells the real Birkin bag. Now, Rebag’s offerings are available on Walmart Marketplace. Birkin bags are widely regarded as symbols of status and wealth, with prices starting at around $13,000 and ultra-limited editions fetching up to $400,000. To make the pricey purses only costs Hermès about $1,000.
