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tnw · Jul 1st, 2009, 10:59 PM

Alright, I know "never on Saturday at FSH" and "don't go in August"; but I am going in August (beggars can't be choosers) and will be there Friday and Saturday. I'm not expecting to find a Birkin and all the SA's I've spoken to lately (in the US) say that the bag I'm looking for is a SO. I've been told by 3 different stores in the US that they are not taking special orders. Obviously I am not a VIP; more like a VUP (very unimportant person). So, my question is, would I be able to place a special order at FSH? I know some people have had luck walking in and being able to do so and then I read other threads that say no way.

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not looking for an exotic, just a regular skin with contrast stitching.

bluewin · Jul 2nd, 2009, 01:50 AM

tnw,
i think if you are going to be in Paris, they would be able to take your order and ship it to you when it is ready even if you are walk in. the important part is being there in person and not calling the shop.
I read a few posts about it but i can only find this thread at the moment, (post #85):
Paris trip for Birkin

since the workshop is closed in august, i believe there should be a some birkins to be sold during that month just not as many. maybe you just have to try your luck on both days and both shops.
from what i gather in this forum, SO in states is different than Paris, Paris seems to have their own set of rules since that's where Hermes headquarter is. Also, most tpfers said SO is only available after PO and it is still PO time right now. maybe you can try asking about SO again at a later time (it also depends on your relationship with your SA).
if you don't mind me asking, what is your SO?
good luck and let us know what happens in paris!

bluewin · Jul 2nd, 2009, 07:05 AM

tnw,
my bad, i just read that you are not looking for birkin.
which bag are you looking for?

meowcsj · Jul 2nd, 2009, 09:51 AM

I think contrast lining requires special order.

tnw · Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:54 AM

Thank you bluewin and meowcsj for your responses. I am looking for a birkin, just don't expect to find one in August at FSH. The bag I would love to put in a SO for is a 30 Black Birkin with white contrast stitching; leather to be determined but thinking Chevre, Togo or Fjord. Any input from all of you would be appreciated. I think with the white stitiching, PHW is the way to go although I do love GHW with Black.

Sounds like I should just go in and make the request from what you are saying bluewin. I don't have an SA there although I have visited the store several times but never had any luck finding a Birkin while there. Maybe I will get lucky and be able to place a SO. That would be fantastic.

If I am told "no special orders" on one day or by a SA, should I try again with someone else? Try again the next day? Any and all hints at strategy are appreciated.

WingNut · Jul 2nd, 2009, 01:46 PM

You might get very lucky. I walked into FSH, never having been there before, a year ago April. I was browsing around trying on some clothes and had selected some jewelry when I inquired about some bags (Medor clutch, KP). then I asked about Birkins.....the only ones they had were being viewed by others. I asked about an order, and SO'd one (box with contrast lining). Came via DHL 6 months later.

I would go back a few times the same day and keep looking as well.

bluewin · Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:01 PM

tnw,
the strategy with most tpfers seem to be going back to the store a few times. agree with Wingnut; go back a few times if the first time doesn't work, try different SA. i'm sure the paris shops take SO from walk-ins because alot of people have done it before and then shipped to them. also, most people who go to the paris shops are tourists so i can't imagine you need to have a pre-existing relationship with SA there in order to do SO.

on a side note, i don't think black comes in chevre, chevre only comes in bright colours cuz they take colour so well (i could be wrong though). since it is SO, they might do it.
black togo is in production this year so you might be able to get a black togo if you go in august without the wait (i got my black birkin in august but not in paris though).
i saw black birkin with contrast stitching before and it is in a different leather that is not chevre, togo or fjord.
please let me know what happens in Paris in August. I'm going there myself in september and might be making a SO there for a kp. Thanks.

Wingnut,
do you mind sharing more details about how the SO went? 6 months is pretty quick for SO. do they charge after the birkin is made or when you make the SO? Thanks!

birkingal · Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:27 PM

^^ A good friend of mine has a black Chevre Birkin and it wasn't a SO. However that was quite some years back and I'm not sure if Chevre is still so readily available. I have seen Chevre bags (Kelly, Bolide etc) on the shelves in the past years but they tend to be one off. You'll never know..... All the best for your Paris trip, tnw.

tnw · Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:28 PM

WingNut and bluewin thanks for the info and encouragement! I really appreciate it. I am going the end of August and you can be assured I will let you know what happens when I return. My fingers are crossed and I am feeling better about the possibility. If anyone else cares to chime in with opinions about leather selection and the contrast stitching, please do.

And yes WingNut, I am interested in bluewin's question regarding a SO as well!

tnw · Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:29 PM

oops, duplicate post ^^

style101 · Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:13 PM

They do make Birkins in Black Chevre, although they have not been offered as podium orders for awhile.

This would be a great choice for your leather too: even though Chevre also takes color exceptionally well, Black Chevre actually has a lustre and subtle sheen to it that's particularly gorgeous.

So if you're allowed to place a SO while you're there, it should be no additional problem to request Chevre. Your desire for contrast stitching would make it a SO anyway, even if Black Chevre was available at podium next.

Good Luck!!

tnw · Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:04 PM

Thank you style101. I'm starting to feel encouraged that perhaps I may be able to place a SO while there. If I do, you will probably hear me squealing all the way from Paris. Now I can't wait to get there.

lulilu · Jul 3rd, 2009, 09:39 AM

Black with white or contrasting stitching is an SO (I just received mine). It took less than one year here in the US.

tnw · Jul 3rd, 2009, 10:14 AM

Thank you birkingal. lulilu did I miss your reveal? I'd love to know more about your SO if you care to share?

veeleigh · Jul 3rd, 2009, 10:21 AM

great question, and I'm glad to know that walk-ins get SOs. I'm going in late November, and have been plotting a potential SO for my next Birkin. Now I'm going to try to place my order at FSH!

Jul 1st, 2009, 10:59 PM	#1
tnw OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,588	I've Read all the Paris Threads...still have a ? Alright, I know "never on Saturday at FSH" and "don't go in August"; but I am going in August (beggars can't be choosers) and will be there Friday and Saturday. I'm not expecting to find a Birkin and all the SA's I've spoken to lately (in the US) say that the bag I'm looking for is a SO. I've been told by 3 different stores in the US that they are not taking special orders. Obviously I am not a VIP; more like a VUP (very unimportant person). So, my question is, would I be able to place a special order at FSH? I know some people have had luck walking in and being able to do so and then I read other threads that say no way. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not looking for an exotic, just a regular skin with contrast stitching.

Jul 2nd, 2009, 01:50 AM	#2
bluewin Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,450	tnw, i think if you are going to be in Paris, they would be able to take your order and ship it to you when it is ready even if you are walk in. the important part is being there in person and not calling the shop. I read a few posts about it but i can only find this thread at the moment, (post #85): Paris trip for Birkin since the workshop is closed in august, i believe there should be a some birkins to be sold during that month just not as many. maybe you just have to try your luck on both days and both shops. from what i gather in this forum, SO in states is different than Paris, Paris seems to have their own set of rules since that's where Hermes headquarter is. Also, most tpfers said SO is only available after PO and it is still PO time right now. maybe you can try asking about SO again at a later time (it also depends on your relationship with your SA). if you don't mind me asking, what is your SO? good luck and let us know what happens in paris!
bluewin Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,450

Jul 2nd, 2009, 07:05 AM	#3
bluewin Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,450	tnw, my bad, i just read that you are not looking for birkin. which bag are you looking for?
bluewin Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,450

Jul 2nd, 2009, 01:46 PM	#6
WingNut Life needs twisties! Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,270	You might get very lucky. I walked into FSH, never having been there before, a year ago April. I was browsing around trying on some clothes and had selected some jewelry when I inquired about some bags (Medor clutch, KP). then I asked about Birkins.....the only ones they had were being viewed by others. I asked about an order, and SO'd one (box with contrast lining). Came via DHL 6 months later. I would go back a few times the same day and keep looking as well.
	__________________ -if it has testicles or tires, it's going to give you trouble-

Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:01 PM	#7
bluewin Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,450	tnw, the strategy with most tpfers seem to be going back to the store a few times. agree with Wingnut; go back a few times if the first time doesn't work, try different SA. i'm sure the paris shops take SO from walk-ins because alot of people have done it before and then shipped to them. also, most people who go to the paris shops are tourists so i can't imagine you need to have a pre-existing relationship with SA there in order to do SO. on a side note, i don't think black comes in chevre, chevre only comes in bright colours cuz they take colour so well (i could be wrong though). since it is SO, they might do it. black togo is in production this year so you might be able to get a black togo if you go in august without the wait (i got my black birkin in august but not in paris though). i saw black birkin with contrast stitching before and it is in a different leather that is not chevre, togo or fjord. please let me know what happens in Paris in August. I'm going there myself in september and might be making a SO there for a kp. Thanks. Wingnut, do you mind sharing more details about how the SO went? 6 months is pretty quick for SO. do they charge after the birkin is made or when you make the SO? Thanks!
bluewin Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,450

Jul 2nd, 2009, 09:51 AM	#4
meowcsj Member Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Singapore, South East Asia Posts: 329	I think contrast lining requires special order.

Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:54 AM	#5
tnw OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,588	Thank you bluewin and meowcsj for your responses. I am looking for a birkin, just don't expect to find one in August at FSH. The bag I would love to put in a SO for is a 30 Black Birkin with white contrast stitching; leather to be determined but thinking Chevre, Togo or Fjord. Any input from all of you would be appreciated. I think with the white stitiching, PHW is the way to go although I do love GHW with Black. Sounds like I should just go in and make the request from what you are saying bluewin. I don't have an SA there although I have visited the store several times but never had any luck finding a Birkin while there. Maybe I will get lucky and be able to place a SO. That would be fantastic. If I am told "no special orders" on one day or by a SA, should I try again with someone else? Try again the next day? Any and all hints at strategy are appreciated.

Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:27 PM	#8
birkingal Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,271	^^ A good friend of mine has a black Chevre Birkin and it wasn't a SO. However that was quite some years back and I'm not sure if Chevre is still so readily available. I have seen Chevre bags (Kelly, Bolide etc) on the shelves in the past years but they tend to be one off. You'll never know..... All the best for your Paris trip, tnw.
birkingal Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,271	__________________

Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:28 PM	#9
tnw OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,588	WingNut and bluewin thanks for the info and encouragement! I really appreciate it. I am going the end of August and you can be assured I will let you know what happens when I return. My fingers are crossed and I am feeling better about the possibility. If anyone else cares to chime in with opinions about leather selection and the contrast stitching, please do. And yes WingNut, I am interested in bluewin's question regarding a SO as well!

Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:29 PM	#10
tnw OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,588	oops, duplicate post ^^
	Last edited by tnw; Jul 2nd, 2009 at 03:31 PM. Reason: duplicate post

Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:13 PM	#11
style101 Tangerine Crush Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,221	They do make Birkins in Black Chevre, although they have not been offered as podium orders for awhile. This would be a great choice for your leather too: even though Chevre also takes color exceptionally well, Black Chevre actually has a lustre and subtle sheen to it that's particularly gorgeous. So if you're allowed to place a SO while you're there, it should be no additional problem to request Chevre. Your desire for contrast stitching would make it a SO anyway, even if Black Chevre was available at podium next. Good Luck!!
style101 Tangerine Crush Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,221

Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:04 PM	#12
tnw OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,588	Thank you style101. I'm starting to feel encouraged that perhaps I may be able to place a SO while there. If I do, you will probably hear me squealing all the way from Paris. Now I can't wait to get there.

Jul 3rd, 2009, 09:39 AM	#13
lulilu Member Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,487	Black with white or contrasting stitching is an SO (I just received mine). It took less than one year here in the US.
lulilu Member Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,487

Jul 3rd, 2009, 10:14 AM	#14
tnw OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,588	Thank you birkingal. lulilu did I miss your reveal? I'd love to know more about your SO if you care to share?

Jul 3rd, 2009, 10:21 AM	#15
veeleigh Member Joined: Jan 2009 Location: NY Area Posts: 239	great question, and I'm glad to know that walk-ins get SOs. I'm going in late November, and have been plotting a potential SO for my next Birkin. Now I'm going to try to place my order at FSH!
	__________________ On the look out for CenC GM in b&w, and Tigre Royale GM in gray.

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