Birkin bags from the Hermes brand have been wildly popular among consumers for decades due to their inaccessibility, but who could have known that this particular strategy would lead to a lawsuit against the brand?

California residents Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga, as well as other buyers, were unhappy with this sales policy for Birkin bags, and accuse the brand of violating antitrust laws. They claim that the brand artificially limits access to bags, creating a shortage with its own hands, and due to this, it inflates prices. And also, the brand is accused of extortion, allegedly Hermes forces customers to buy other products, not those that the buyer originally wanted, in order to open access to Birkin bags.

The plaintiffs are seeking refunds for unnecessary merchandise pushed by the brand to open up access to the iconic bags, and changes to sales policies to make the brand's products more accessible.

The lawsuit was filed on March 20, 2024, and trial has not yet begun. The Hermes brand did not respond to the lawsuit.

Images from the series “Sex in the City” 1998-2004

Do you want to keep abreast of the main events in the fashion industry and brand news?