Hi Ladies,
Returning home from Paris, and had some time for updates while on my flight back (toddler is now sleeping). Here’s my journey in detail. I want to say anytime I read the stories here, I feel inspired but equally sympathize and appreciate the realness and feelings of disappointment.
My husband, son and I arrived in Paris on a Monday. We had been already playing the lottery since the prior Saturday with all three passports, every day 10:30 on the dot. Our total stay was four days, for non of which we got an appointment. We never even received a rejection email. During our stay, we did the usual and store hopped from FSH to George V. Sevres was out of the way for us, and I only walked in once. It was beautiful to see but so large, the leather desk associate was pretty indifferent to me so I didn’t bother returning there. In total, we visited FSH 2x a day mid morning and afternoon in between our sight seeing activities! The store was incredibly busy. We got told no so many times but after two days, you start to recognize faces, and I think they remembered us since we came with my son in stroller.
Even though we got rejected on all our days, we always addressed the leather desk associates in french with a “bonjour madame or monseur”. After they told us no, we asked if there was a better time to come back. One of the ladies was so nice and told us there’s basically no point to come in the morning, since that’s when they try to get everybody in with appointments before their flights. She said between 2-3pm was the best time, since people would cancel appointments if they had to fly out. One of the days, we tried late in the afternoon around 5, 5:30 but you could tell they were finishing for the day and would not take anyone in. So - sweet spot at FSH was 2-3pm.
On our last day, my husband son and I went one final time to FSH straight to the leather desk. Again, we were told no, but we both began explaining how we are leaving Paris, have been trying all week, it’s our anniversary (10 years) and that we’ve been unsuccessful with the lottery. I told him I really wanted to leave with something special and get my dream bag. He asked me which one and I said Birkin 30/35. He asked me to put my name in his phone so he can look up my purchase history in Paris ( i had none). I explained I have a purchase history in US (started my H journey last year -belt, scarves, and a couple mens ties). Also want to say I have a great relationship with my local Hermes SA, and even reached out to her for appointment help, however she told me they’re not able to.
Back at FSH, we hovered around the leather desk, and overheard the lady in front explaining how her friend has an appointment but is running late. That same lady, also asked if “she can make a purchase for her friend, with a picture of her passport”. The leather desk associate likely caught on and realized her friend is never coming, and that this lady had friends playing the lottery for her while she’s in Paris. She went to the side, and that’s when he asked me once again to put my details in his phone and went to speak with another associate or manager at this point, who recognized us from our previous days. They chatted and afterwards he came up to us and said the magic words “follow me”. We took the elevator to the last floor (with stroller still) and he had us wait in a really nice area, it looked like jewelry and something else. The SA came to me and asked me for preference and i told him Birkin 30, but am willing to get 35, in brown, black, neutrals or a pink/red pop of color. I was not picky on the leather but asked the hardware to be gold. He left, and after some time came back with a big box. He said “this isn’t the color you asked for”, at which point I got worried, and said they had run out of b30s and this was a 35. He opened the bag, and it was a gorgeous b35 gold hardware tourillion clemence leather in nata color. I was in love, I was really worried about accepting a color I didn’t like, but this creamy off white is stunning in person. I am so happy and fortunate to have gotten this appointment but honestly IMO it comes down to shear luck, if you are there at the right time when someone else is running late for their appointments. I won’t even go in details about outfits, because although we were dressed nicely, it wasn’t anything too fancy. I also don’t travel with my engagement ring or any jewelry, only a love bracelet, so again, nothing flashy.
In summary, I still can’t believe this all happened and didn’t fully live in the moment bc I didn’t want to get my hopes up. On the even brighter side, for four days, we explored the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Versailles, and ate at Relais de l’ Entrecôte. Bought a cheap check in luggage for my box, though I’m not sure if I should bring it to the states.
Now I would love your opinions on twillies and care tips for this beauty
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ETA: the 35 is a classic, and larger bags are on the runway
i’m 5’8 so small bags get lost on me..i love larger bags
If I'm in a rush, I wait for the first SA available, if not, I ask to see my SA and wait for her until she's done with her current clients.
