At the trial, in addition to assets such as savings books and diamond jewelry, defendant Truong My Lan wanted to ask for the return of two albino Hermes bags gifted by a Malaysian billionaire.
This morning (Sept. 27), the trial of defendant Truong My Lan and her accomplices continued with the examination and clarification of evidence, property, and belongings seized from the defendants and the property rights of involved parties.
Defendant Truong My Lan stated that in the second phase, she had many valuables and assets confiscated but could not remember the details. However, she remembered two albino Hermes bags gifted by a Malaysian billionaire. Ms. Lan expressed her desire to retrieve these bags as they hold sentimental value, and she wishes to pass them on to her descendants.
It is known that the Hermes “albino,” also known as the Hermes Himalayan Crocodile Birkin (made from albino crocodile skin), is one of the most controversial product lines. It is introduced as an extremely rare and “most coveted” bag in the world, not easily accessible to everyone.
First, the purchase price can go up to 300,000 USD (over 7 billion VND). The most expensive one has its entire frame plated in 18-carat white gold. The zipper features 68.4 grams of 18-carat white gold and is adorned with 40 white diamonds, totaling 1.64 carats.
Second, the entire bag is made from the skin of an albino crocodile, an extremely rare species in the world. “In 2014, there were only 50 albino American crocodiles in the entire US. The skin of each crocodile can only produce two bags,” said a representative of JaneFinds, the world’s largest Hermès bag retailer.
Third, each bag comes with insurance. One was even sold for 432,000 USD (equivalent to 9.8 billion VND),
And finally, Hermes only produces 1-2 bags of this kind annually, even stars and international celebrities have to wait in line for years to own one of these precious albino crocodile Birkin bags.
With these four reasons, the Hermes Himalayan Crocodile Birkin bag quickly became a sought-after item for fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
Globally, very few celebrities own the Hermes Himalayan. Only a select few like Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian have the financial means and fame to acquire one.
One of the most prized Hermes Himalayan Crocodile Birkin bags belongs to Jamie Chua, a Singaporean socialite known for having the world’s largest collection of Hermes bags.
In reality, when it comes to Hermès Birkin, people immediately associate it with luxury and wealth. Birkin is the name given to high-end accessories of the upper class, those with mountains of money who can afford to buy them. This prestigious accessory line was born in 1922. The story behind the brand began when the wife of Émile – Maurice Hermès, the manager of the label at the time, couldn’t find a handbag she liked. Out of love for his wife, he started designing a gift for his lifelong partner, and this became the first item of the handbag collection.
There are various types of Birkin bags. The regular ones cost a few hundred million VND, while those made from crocodile or ostrich leather can go up to billions of VND. But the pinnacle is the Hermes Himalayan Crocodile Birkin, dubbed “the most expensive handbag in the world.” Its price starts at 2.5 billion VND. Only a few people worldwide own it, and they must be extremely wealthy.
Despite the high price, not everyone with money can buy it. You have to be a VIP customer of Hermes and place an order at least three months to a year in advance to get your hands on this luxurious bag.
