Designer "Birkin"

• Or Should We Call it, Firkin?

I don't know why, or is it a trend now of having a Birkin inspired bag?

Well some of these "inspired" bags do come out nicely, but mostly they look just awkward. And what's more awkward is that, recently there are SO MANY designer labels that came out with Birkin inspired bags. Have a look here.

Burberry. As it was seen on the Burberry Prorsum Menswear for Autumn/Winter 2011, I think this "Firkin" doesn't look that bad. I like the red leather trims, but I'm not sure about the canvas though. I would fall for it if the canvas was dyed in a light red colour. What's ok for me on this bag is the lockpad, it is not exactly like the Birkin's. Oh by the way, you can order this bag RIGHT HERE for GBP1,195/US$1,895 and it's only for a limited time (or you'll have to wait till the winter collection comes out)!

The "Grunge" Birkin by Mihara Yasuhiro. Lol to that. What I think is, if you want to get an "inspired" designer bag, get one that looks FAR AWAY from the authentic one. One that looks very ... "inspired". Ok fine, in my language, fake. Well, this bag is now available at Club 21, Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore, for only S$1490. "Inspired", weird, but still, it has a designer label on it, and it's in real leather. Why not?

(Ugh, Malaysia still doesn't have any Club 21 store except for that mini booth at Parkson, Pavilion.)

Furla. LOL. This one's a see-through bag, and at the description section of this bag, it says that this feature would allow inspection at the airport more convenient. Lol? But why would I wanna let everyone see what I'm gonna carry up to the plane? But still I wouldn't mind getting it for shopping. And since it's still a designer bag, why not splurge US$540 for something a little more "convenient"?

Ah, Gucci. I have seen one in Python skin myself and I think I kinda liked it. The thing was, it was open. The "Girkin" (Gucci Birkin, geddit? XD) above is closed, and for me ... it's just hideous. Really. Oh well, what more to say. The one on the left retails for US$5300 and the other one retails for US$4200. Both are 37cm long.

These ones are 32cm long. It comes Violet, Green and Taupe. The violet and green one retails for US$3,600, and the one in taupe, US$4,500. Don't ask me why. Oh they have the 32cm "Girkin" in orange and violet crocodile skin too and both retails for US$26,000. I would definitely LOVE to see these 2 in person.

This one's ... hmmm ... not too bad. 37cm long, in snake skin (oh yeah I have an obsession with snake skin XD) but I don't know how much this one costs. I'm sure it has a hefty price tag.

Last but not least, a "Girkin" for the men. This one, I approve! It looks SO MUCH better than the women's "Girkin". I also don't know how much this costs. If it weren't for the crocodile skin, this would have been up to my 2011 resolutions list.

So, you've seen the "Firkin"s which is the "Bur-kin", the "Mirkin-Yirkin", the "Fur-kin" and the "Girkin", or perhaps, "Gur-kin" (Goor-keen LOL!). Some are nice, some are REALLY wonderfully made, some awkwardly attractive, others, ugh. But always remember...

Nothing beats the original Birkin.

Hmmm ... since a Birkin (according to advice and online forums) could have a waiting list of 2 years and up to 6 years, I was thinking of placing an order for one, any advice for me anyone?

Source : Burberry, MyMANyBags, Furla, Gucci.