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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1826 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

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."

Wall Street Journal
"[A] sunny memoir. . . . The prose is vivid, the tone lighthearted. Mr. Tonello comes off as the fantasy gay best friend immortalized in contemporary women's fiction: sassy, plucky, optimistic—oh, and he can get you a Birkin."

Customer Reviews

Great Read for Fashionistas Who Love to Travel
Is it possible to write an entire book based on one overpriced purse? Yes, and even better than that, "Bringing Home the Birkin" is an eminently readable, charming book that you will want to pass along to all your fashion loving friends once you're done. This true story by Michael Tonello involves seeking out your dream life (for him, living in Barcelona, Spain) and making it happen (by selling hard-to-find Hermes items like scarves, jewelry, and the ultimate insider handbag, the Birkin, on Ebay). What's not to love about a story like that?

This is the playground of the rich and famous, and the popularity and exclusive cache that comes with an Hermes Birkin has long been celebrated by fashion magazines and couture insiders worldwide. Adding fuel to the fire is the company's policy of "making less than 100 Birkins a year" ...or so they would have you believe. Waiting lists of two years or more (often with orders cancelled) is the modus operandi of Hermes in regard to these elusive purses. No mere mortal can enter an Hermes store, request a Birkin, and walk out the door with purse in hand.

All this makes the coveted status symbol that much more desirable in the fashion world. Tonello capitalizes on this fact and sets about learning how to "break into" the secretive world of Birkin insiders, releasing his finds--via Ebay--to the world. Along the way, we are given a bird's eye view of exclusive parties, gourmet restaurants, and shopping venues from Asia to Europe to South America, all in the pursuit of the purchase of this mystical handbag. With the beginning price for a "basic" Birkin starting at $8,000 and reaching into the stratosphere of $40,000 (based on my own recent surfing of Birkins on Ebay), this is no game for amateurs.

Although the story centers on Tonello's career as a platinum status seller on Ebay, there is so much more to the story. For example, this book examines just who the women are who not just "buy" these Hermes items, but indeed have flourishing collections. The book is also the story of falling in love with a city and trying, in any way possible, to make it your home. In and out of European countries in his pursuit of Hermes, the author has also written a travel book that any diehard shopper will adore. Most of all, the author has infused his story with personality, charm, and an individuality that makes this book a unique read. It's more like having an engaging chat with a close friend than reading a literary tome.

To those who have little interest in travel, fashion, or the lives of those who can afford $8,000 for a handbag, this book will probably seem trivial, even meaningless. For those who love a good dish a la "Sex and the City," this book lives up to the mysterious lure of that elusive, ultimate fashion accessory. This book is as good as a Birkin...and then some!

Christine Zibas, Book Pleasures

One of the Best Books I've Read all Year!
If this is Michael Tonello's first attempt at writing, he should definitely continue his attempts. One of the funniest and most entertaining pieces I've read this year! I'm all too familiar with Hermes' Birkin, et al., and the resale market on Ebay. I'm a Chanel girl, myself, but this book almost made me want a Birkin just because he made it sound so yummie! If you love handbags as much as I do, you will LOVE this book. It does not disappoint!

nice story, short on birkin details
This is a sweet story in that the author found his "Mr. Right" and we share in in his family's support and ultimate trials. However, if your primary interest lies in finding out more about the Birkin bag--how it's made, what makes it worth the asking price, the colors, the leathers, the true details of the Icon Bag, you may wish to pass on this book. True, there is a way to get around the waiting list, but it takes money--which you must spend at an Hermes store. It is NOT necessary to buy these bags in the back alley, which is clearly demonstrated in this book. One simply must spend a bit up front--but that's for the reader to find out.

Another small gripe, the author focused on buying the crocodile Birkins in order to make the most profit. I think most women would like the smooth leather bags, which are much cheaper and easier to come by.

If globe-trotting and true love found are your things, enjoy this book. If you're a Birkinista, you may want do online research instead.