How hard to get an quota bag in Barenia?

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Tykhe

O.G.
Sep 3, 2011
2,175
9,105
Hi, so recently I have become obsessed with barenia and barenia faubourg. I am just wondering, is it that hard to come by? Is it easier to get in quota bags in larger sizes ie kelly 28 or birkin 30? Lately, I asked my SA for a small leather good in Barenia and he says that is rare. Should I just give up hope of a Kelly 25 in Barenia? I have a birkin 25 in gold, so I am not looking for a Barenia b25.
 
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They are hard to come by because (smooth) Barenia is a push offer. This means they cannot be ordered by the SM when they go place orders at podium for their store's purchases of an upcoming season. Rather, such bags are "pushed" from Paris, meaning Paris sends them to stores as they see fit when/if they make one. This means that there is 0 guarantee your store will get any. It does not even matter which size - the smaller sizes are probably more popular so may be harder from a competition point of view - but even in a larger / less popular size, it doesn't change the fact that these bags are push offers and therefore rare / cannot be guaranteed to come to your store. The same is true for some other leathers / rare pieces (e.g. boxcalf is also push offer only).

You should let your SA know that you would like a Barenia bag. But after that it's honestly up to just chance and luck.
 
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They are hard to come by because H limits the use of this smooth leather in popular bags, main reason being that it scratches easily and H is tired of or doesn't want to deal with the headache of customers coming back to return/complain about their bag. (Also, one member mentioned that it doesn’t sell in Asia because of that)

They think they found a compromise with barenia faubourg by making it grained (therefore less prone to scratching or isn't as obvious) but some (a lot of?) barenia fans just see it as gold togo that acquires a patina. lol
 
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i Found my barenia B30 last year for a great price on the secondary market. Vache naturale, barenia, box, and other heritage leathers used to be more readily available years ago. Barenia might be available if one is invited to create a special project through the Hermes horizons program. (One can be invited to make a horizons order if one purchases in categories like furniture or custom furniture). As per @QuelleFromage, barenia is not available through regular special order https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/hermes-special-orders-how-long-did-yours-take.797364/page-530
 
I believe that quota/ non- quota bags in Barenia Faubourg may be ordered at podium. The Aline was my most recent offer and long ago, the mini Roulis when Faubourg first launched was the first time I ever saw it. We have seen recent offers of quite a few B/ Ks so there is a chance of this.

Smooth Barenia are strictly push offer. The current push offers arriving, that I know of, are the mini Kelly picnic with smooth Barenia. (The other mini K20 Picnics with other leathers can be ordered at podium). Another recent style which you may not consider as quota is the C18 which was also sent out recently. The last offer I had was an Ebene smooth Barenia B25 in Paris which I declined.

One can be offered the chance to do a Horizon leather item without having to do any other projects. Some of us here have done one or more, but Kelly and Birkin is not an option for bags. Both versions of Barenia is definitely an option you can request.

If it’s only the Birkin or Kelly that you prefer then it’s best to mention it to your SA and wait or consider preloved. A friend only buys her smooth Barenia pieces at a very reputable international auction house.

There are many older styles which use this leather and I am very happy so far with my couple of bags and SLGs, most of which I did get in store.
Hope this helps.
 
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And just to make you frustrated that you're only liking barenia now when H is restricting it, many many years ago when you can special order almost any combo*, someone placed an SO for a 35 smooth barenia birkin with vert anis interior and actually got it (if you look closely you can see the horseshoe stamp)

barenia1-jpg.1081182


*if I'm not mistaken, special orders back then are really special--they are only offered to big spending clients or those who are highly favored by their SA. Also there was no menu (a la carte) to choose from. You thought of a combo, your store sends your specs to Paris, you wait if they say Yes or No. Unlike now where it's always a Yes because they give you options, which is probably a better thing, albeit very limited.
 
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And just to make you frustrated that you're only liking barenia now when H is restricting it, many many years ago when you can special order almost any combo*, someone placed an SO for a 35 smooth barenia birkin with vert anis interior and actually got it (if you look closely you can see the horseshoe stamp)

barenia1-jpg.1081182


*if I'm not mistaken, special orders back then are really special--they are only offered to big spending clients or those who are highly favored by their SA. Also there was no menu (a la carte) to choose from. You thought of a combo, your store sends your specs to Paris, you wait if they say Yes or No. Unlike now where it's always a Yes because they give you options, which is probably a better thing, albeit very limited.
I can attest to this. My first few SOs were just done by dreaming up whatever one wanted and Paris just said yes or please modify it to the closest choice of these colours available. In a way it’s a lot easier but more restricted now. Back to topic, my first Barenia piece from FSH (my current avatar) is in that very same combo shown, Fauve and Vert Anis inside the handles. Since that combo exists as a PO it was more likely to be approved for an SO.
 
And just to make you frustrated that you're only liking barenia now when H is restricting it, many many years ago when you can special order almost any combo*, someone placed an SO for a 35 smooth barenia birkin with vert anis interior and actually got it (if you look closely you can see the horseshoe stamp)

barenia1-jpg.1081182


*if I'm not mistaken, special orders back then are really special--they are only offered to big spending clients or those who are highly favored by their SA. Also there was no menu (a la carte) to choose from. You thought of a combo, your store sends your specs to Paris, you wait if they say Yes or No. Unlike now where it's always a Yes because they give you options, which is probably a better thing, albeit very limited.
Fantastic bag! I have seen a barenia Birkin with rose shocking interior and I will never forget that bag. I believe the owner was working for H.
 
I wouldn't say Barenia is hard to come by, more like impossible!

As others have said, 10/15 years ago it was much easier to order Barenia, Box, VN....I ordered 3 Birkins in these leathers and got them....phew, thank goodness! If I were to buy one now, I would buy pre-owned.
Its sad those are my favourite leathers and even pre-loved its a challenge to get them
 
The bad news...as all have noted, smooth Barenia is push offer only. It is hard to find but it does come in small bags, especially Kelly 25 (sellier mainly, I haven't seen a retourné myself) and sometimes Birkin 25. Barenia Faubourg can be podium ordered. Neither is available for a la carte at this time.

The good news...Barenia (and by this I mean OG smooth Barenia - BF is great but it's just not that rare or HTF) is not to everyone's taste. There are plenty of customers who won't take it (same with Box calf) as it will mark up, scratch, and gain a patina. So, of the rare bags that come in, Barenia is one where a newer customer may have a shot if the SA/SM know you love the leather. I am not a VVIP customer by any means, but I get the calls for Barenia items from my SAs because they know I love it and am likely to accept (and not complain later!). That's how I got my Barenia Birkin and Kelly.

I would make your love for Barenia clear to your whole home store. Meanwhile, there are Barenia quota bags (although more often Birkins) at resale for very reasonable prices given how expensive it is at retail. Non-quota bags are even more reasonable and are a great first step into this leather...which is its own experience!

Edited to add: yes, you can do a Horizon order for Barenia. It does not necessarily require a huge spend. It will be VERY expensive, and you cannot replicate a bag like a B or K.
 
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