It is one of the most desirable handbags in the world, beloved by celebrities including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham.
But it is not enough to have pockets deep enough to buy a Birkin handbag by Hermès: the French fashion brand is said to allow only selected customers, or those deemed worthy enough, to own one.
Two Californian shoppers have brought a lawsuit to challenge that policy, however, claiming that Hermès violates antitrust laws by requiring customers to have a “sufficient purchase history” with the company before obtaining a bag.
According to the filing, Hermès’s sales associates push the scheme by encouraging customers to buy shoes, scarves, jewellery and other expensive items in order to procure a Birkin.
The leather bags,