Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has apparently amassed one of the world’s largest private collections of Hermes luxury bags. The price tag for this extensive collection is reported to be well over $2 million U.S. It is estimated that if one were to recreate the same collection with knockoff purses, it would cost only a few thousand dollars.
Hermes is a French company founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes. Originally, it specialized solely in saddles and other leather goods. In 1930 the company launched its first women’s line, which included the leather handbags for which Hermes has become renowned. It took over 20 years however before the handbag had any real success, with actress Grace Kelly popularizing them in 1956.
Victoria’s husband, renowned British footballer David Beckham has gone to remarkable lengths to oblige her in her love for the chic brand. As a Christmas gift, he recently had one custom made for her in lilac, handmade from ostrich skin, at a cost of about $25,000 U.S. The Los Angeles Galaxy is paying Beckham $32.5 million for his five year contract, but he is expected to make at least $200 million more from endorsements and merchandise fees. His salary is 50 times that of the average MLS player.
Britain’s most famous couple was married in Dublin in April of 1999, at the elegant and historical Luttrellstown Castle. After a private ceremony for family and close friends, there was a larger, more extravagant ceremony involving hundreds of guests (dressed in black and white by request) and a lavish feast. Although it was a carefully kept secret, the couple is said to have honeymooned in a villa in the South of France.
Posh’s love for the Hermes brand no doubt gives a boost to the historic company that has been struggling as of late to compete with knockoff purses. Knockoff purses have seen a recent surge in popularity, as retailers of replica merchandise have seen advancements in manufacturing techniques improve the quality of knock off purses, handbags and clothing to a point where they have become virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Furthermore, the power of the Internet has revolutionized the market for knock off purses. Leading replica sites like sofias replica have found that by reproducing luxury goods in exacting detail, and by making them quickly and easily available, they can bring credibility and legitimacy to the market for knock off purses.
Whether or not Posh’s well-publicized collection of Hermes bags has done anything to combat the rising popularity of knockoff purses is unclear, but the French company has shown their appreciation to their best customer. While most Hermes bags come with a waiting list of up to three years, Beckham has the privilege of purchasing them on the spot. Having spent over $2 million dollars on their bags and purses, she’s probably earned it.