To long-time Hermès aficionados, the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré (FSH) boutique has been the magic kingdom of Hermès dreams: where quotas don’t apply, sales profiles aren’t needed, and everyone has an equal chance at their dream Birkin or Kelly. What a wonderful place… even if those things are no longer completely true.
Times have changed at FSH. To be clear, shopping at the mothership remains an experience not to be missed. Go, browse, buy… but don’t get your hopes up for a quota bag. It seems fewer shoppers experience success these days and many who do first spend copious amounts on an assortment of Hermès’ wonderful non-leather wares. Others claim they were denied bags because they had reached their quota limit elsewhere. To be offered a bag – any bag – has become an honor of sorts.
For this trip, I scheduled my appointment with my SA at the mothership a week before my expected arrival into Paris for just a few hours after my landing time. Unusual and perhaps a bit risky, but this excursion required maximum flexibility. Not until the last minute did I know how my schedule would evolve with a jam packed agenda of appointments and shows. The last thing I would want would be to be caught in a conflict with my Hermes appointment.
I came to Paris (and to FSH) with realistic expectations. Actually, I had little to no expectations. After all, I was visiting right smack in the middle of fashion week. That is quite possibly one of the more difficult and complicated times to access a new Hermès bag. Inventory is always in short supply. To make matters worse, my trip was during the second half of the busiest time.
There’s always hope though. And if I didn’t try, then certainly there’d be no bag. I checked into my hotel, unpacked, showered, and tried to settle a bit. My appointment wasn’t till 2pm but my plan was to go early and browse around. I threw back a double espresso shot at the lobby bar for extra energy and headed on foot toward the mothership.
Store windows were as beautiful as can be. Roger Vivier.
So, what did I desire? Well, I had not pre-made a list of my top picks. That doesn’t mean, however, that I didn’t have something in mind. Thoughts of lizard skin bags had been percolating and I secretly hoped for something, anything, fabricated in lizard. My 2022 ombré Constance had apparently set off a new addiction. Well, I’m not sure you can call it an addiction since I only have that one lizard bag, but I was hoping it would become one.
In any event, my first request would be for a lizard skin bag. If that was not available, then any pretty Mini Kelly 20 would be delightful. Of course, we all dream of the Faubourg bag, Picnics, possibly a croc 25, but these were wish list items that seemed far-fetched, especially at this time of the year.
Enjoying my stroll to the boutique, I window-shopped and soaked up that Parisian atmosphere. The streets seemed unusually calm. In my imagination, I had expected hustle, bustle, and chaotic craziness, but this particular afternoon it seemed much quieter than on prior trips.
Arriving, I stood before the big FSH clock where I traditionally take a timestamp photo. Those of you who have read my articles over the last decade know that a timestamp denotes that special moment a new bag is welcomed into the family. So to call this photo a timestamp would be premature. But for the sake of storytelling, let’s just say it was 1:14pm on March 3, 2023.
Time stamp 1:14pm, Hermes FSH March 3rd, 2023.
Everything felt so familiar even though it had been nearly eight months since my last visit. I recognized the doorman, and perhaps he even recognized me. At least it seemed so from the vague but sweet sort of smile he let out. Although I was way too early for my appointment I thought it might be prudent to let the hostess at the appointment desk know that I had arrived and would be looking around.
I made my way over the little bridge of stairs that so many of you will be able to visualize. Going up one side & down the other, led me straight to the podium. A beautiful Parisian hostess welcomed me with a warm smile and inquired “Madame can I be of help” in a very calm and peaceful tone.
I explained that I had a 2pm appointment but was in the store now. She asked me to briefly wait while she spoke to someone on her iPhone. It might have been only a minute or two when she ushered me to the side and said “Madame, it would be our pleasure to have you visit with us now, is this alright with you?”
I was totally caught off guard. In the past, I have waited up to an hour for my sales associate. But as I looked around, I realized the store was eerily quiet. There was no crowd at the base of the stairs or around the leather desk. On a typical visit I would see faces of desperation, trying to negotiate an appointment, couples and families huddled, waiting — from all parts of the world. But today, oddly, I was pretty much all alone. Could it be that there were no appointments today?
There was no more time to ponder. Within seconds my SA arrived and escorted me to a desk all too familiar to me – at the top of the stairs – where we sat to chat. I knew the drill all too well. We would sit here a bit and after a few pleasantries and a sweet inquisition, they would go off hunting into the abyss.
I cut straight to the chase. Since I knew exactly what I wanted, this process went very quickly. As planned, I requested lizard skin in any size 25, Kelly pochette, or Mini Kelly.
It was pretty evident that I had a passion for lizard based on the day’s choice of handbag. I had actually selected my full outfit days in advance to match my ombre Constance 18. Secretly, I was blushing from the multiple compliments received about the bag. Everyone, from the hostess to my own sales associate, was eager to hear the story. And what a great one I had as this Constance was my souvenir from the Madison store opening. It really has become one of the favorites in my collection.
Accessories for the appointment: Hermes beret hat, Constance 18, Van Cleef & Arpels 15 motif (10 + 5) Guilloche pieces, Louis Vuitton sweater, and Prada boots.
Strangely, we really didn’t discuss many other options: just a lizard, or perhaps croc Birkin or Kelly 25, and that I was open to color. From the way things were going it and his eager optimism it seemed like my wish might come true.
Waiting, I had another coffee ☕️ Jet lag was setting in and with little to no sleep on the flight my energy was waning. But wait, I reminded myself, I am at FSH, OMG! How could I be tired sitting in the mecca of orange dreams? I got up and walked around the floor a bit. Still, surprisingly, there were very few people around.
I stood for many minutes admiring the special Kelly Elan in the display case (yes, the bag we are all obsessed with now). The color, the feathers… it was simply magnificent. My imagination ran wild. Oh Hermes, how you take our breath away.
Read:
The Re-released Hermès Kelly Elan – The Bag that Every Collector Wants
Peeking out the windows on the second floor a huge crowd on the street caught my attention.There was a large gathering outside the Lanvin boutique. Apparently, they were waiting to see a celebrity exit; someone who had flown in to attend the Lanvin runway show that Sunday. Lucky for us, so were we. I stood watching their eager faces for a few minutes.
Peering from the Hermes windows on the second floor.
My wait was about 10 to 15 minutes though it felt much longer. Time was moving slowly. The clock showed 1:45pm, really only about 30 minutes since my arrival. I sat back down, waited a bit longer, until I saw him coming from my left. Bearing several orange boxes, my SA signaled me to follow.
Reminiscing my last visit in July of 2022, where we were inn a beautiful room at the top of these stairs.
We chatted the entire walk through the jewelry department and into the newly renovated gold room. I surely inquired why the boutique was so quiet, but I don’t think I received an answer. Or, I missed it because I was laser-focused on the boxes. Our talk centered on my wish list and the anticipation of the next day’s fashion show.
The Gold Room, FSH.
The first round.
Once seated, my sales associate proceeded to open one of the three boxes. As he lifted the lid, he explained he was unable to find a full crocodile Birkin 25, but here he had found a Touch Birkin in Rouge H and Ebene Barenia. It was a lovely Birkin, but the colors did not make my heart sing. Quickly and graciously, I passed. Ebene Barenia – a dark rich brown with a glorious velvety texture – is stunning, but it wasn’t the mood I had in mind.
We moved on to the second box, which contained a lizard Verrou in Vert Fonce. It was a masterfully created piece. I admired it in great detail. Alas, again, my heart did not skip a beat but I requested to have it kept on the side. Although I didn’t express it, a piece of me hoped that a new purchase would be my companion at the Hermès show, now just 24 hours away.
Okay, feeling a bit like Goldilocks, hoping maybe the third box would charm me and “be just right.” It too was in lizard skin, this one black and called Mors De Bride. It debuted on the Spring/Summer 2021 runway. Very sleek and almost sexy…but it wasn’t for me. I politely declined once again.
Black lizard Mors De Bride bag.
My sales associate was sincerely trying to find me something I loved.
My C18 posing with the new lizard offerings.
A little heavy hearted and feeling somewhat guilty for having refused all three exotic-ish pieces, I sat patiently as my sales associate wrapped up the treasures. Evidently, today was not going to be an exotic day for me. As I waited and reflected, I realized this was the first time I had ever refused my first offers. It was a very awkward few minutes, at least for me.
I took a few deep breaths and sips of water and we started again. My first suggestion was a chèvre mini Kelly in a soft hue. I shared with my sales associate what I already had in my mini K collection color wise and off he went. Just as he left the room, my phone rang. Mama calling to make sure I reached Paris safely.
I excitedly told her where I was and explained that as soon as my sales associate returned, I would need to go and call her later. This time the minutes flew by. He returned with one single box. I instantly recognized the size and shape of this one. A mini Kelly, for sure, my favorite and the most used style in my collection.
He quickly unwrapped the pristine papers, and just as he pulled the sweet treasure from the dust bag, he said, “How about a little champignon?” (that’s mushroom 🍄 in French).
Sitting before me was a chèvre Mushroom mini Kelly with gold hardware. It was perfection. I was sincerely delighted and stared at her with adoring eyes. Mushroom (or ‘champignon’ sounds so much prettier) was one of the few current beige-y hues missing from my collection and I eagerly accepted. I think my sales associate must have been equally as relieved to have at last met my wishes. He was really trying and so upbeat and patient all this while. I was so appreciative and made sure to express my sincere gratitude. It was just the day, the time, and perhaps any restrictions of, what he could sell or offer on that day. FSH is such a mystery despite all of our decoding.
Truly, Mushroom was the perfect addition to my collection. It would serve as a year-round neutral. Although in the same color family as my Blanc, Nata, and possibly even Gris Tourterelle Birkin 25’s, this potentially could become my most used bag for evenings out because of it’s mini size.
I have spoken ad nauseam about my love for the mini Kelly II size. The size just compliments my lifestyle so well.
As for the color, although I strive to never repeat the same Hermes colors, I welcome shades within same color family. For example, I cherish having the option of Barenia leather, Butler leather, as well as Gold in togo and Chai in epsom – all in the same family, but each distinctly different. I really have tried to build a diverse collection, sometimes experimenting along the way.
Whether you enjoy fungi or not, who could turn down this cutie? And even though Miss Champignon stayed locked up for the big fashion show, she’s been aching to hit the town ever since.
Bags tucked away in locked suitcases in hotel rooms.
Nata epsom versus Mushroom chèvre.
I met up with Boptalk and we ran across the street to Chanel. That’s a sweet story that we’ve already shared with you.
Read: The Chanel Bag the PurseBop Girls Couldn’t Leave Paris Without
Next, we tucked into a delectable Italian restaurant with the fabulous wood-fired pizza. Perhaps, the best I’ve ever had. Although, perhaps ironically, it wasn’t mushroom pizza.
We ate heartily before heading back to the hotel. We needed our beauty rest to be ready for the next day’s epic Hermès show.
Wood fired Burrata pizza.
Stay tuned for Part III. I will share my packing woes and solutions, as well as details about the VAT refund process and my return home.
Love your PurseBop
XO
Read related articles:
Rumor or Fact: Hermès is Changing the Rules
Guide to Shopping for Hermès in Paris: Here’s What You Need to Know
Dear PurseBop: Does Hermès Ever Abandon a Special Order?
The Danger of Traveling with Fake Designer Bags
Dear PurseBop: Is Gold or Palladium Hardware More Valuable on a Hermès Quota Bag?
Updated: July 20th, 2023
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