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The history of the Kelly bag is as iconic as the handbag itself. To understand more about the Kelly, it is important to understand about Hermès. This iconic French house started out making harnesses and saddles for horses. So it comes as no surprise that the first version of the Kelly bag was much larger and intended to hold saddles. This version was introduced...

When it comes to choosing an Hermès Birkin vs. Kelly, what type are you? What do you like better? Which one best describes you? We tend to lump people into distinct classifications. Whether it’s liberal or conservative, downtown or uptown, Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie, these categorizations are a relatively clear way to distinguish personality types and show outsiders one’s Modus Operandi. In regards...

Behold Taurillion Novillo, a rich leather that has the advantages of both Togo/Clemence and Epsom. In limited production since 2015, it has now taken center stage in Hermès new fall line-up. Taurillion Novillo, made from bull leather is a natural finely textured grain, much finer than either Togo or Clemence. It is lighter in weight and more rigid than these other two leathers. Like...

The type of leather used in making a luxury bag dictates the vividness of the color and the overall look.  However, the most important factor comes down to your preferences and how you want your bag to perform. This is perhaps why Hermès has a far-reaching catalogue of leathers that all have their own unique qualities, offering a myriad of options for a multitude...

What is the significance of SO and HSS bags at Podium? Prior to attending semi-annual Podium, each store is allocated a certain number of so-called “Special Order” (SO) bags.  They are typically limited to Birkins, Kellys and Constances, and have a Horseshoe stamped next to the Hermès name on the front, hence being know by Hermès afficiandos as “HSS” bags.  Bags made in accordance...

In early June 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court legitimized the resale market when it decided in favor of Impression Products in the case Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark Int’l, Inc. The case revolved around a lawsuit of patent infringement brought by Lexmark against Impression Products, which took used Lexmark ink cartridges, refilled them with their own ink and resold them at a discount.  Initially,...

What is Podium exactly? About 1,000 of Hermès’s store representatives—from directors to managers—go to Paris twice a year (in February and July) to select and bid for goods to carry in their respective outlets. The events are usually held at a building, where a sea on of products are lined up and displayed in a tradeshow-style fashion. Here, new collections are debuted, and orders...

In its long, storied history, Chanel has built a reputation that few in the fashion industry can surpass. It continues to thrive in the saturated marketplace by keeping to certain motifs that its founder, Coco Chanel, instilled from the onset, reinventing them for modern times. These include boucle jackets, camellias and the ubiquitous little black dress. In the handbag category, quilted leather and chains...

“The best things come in small packages”—a proverbial phrase that is often attributed to things that sparkle, and whose value is determined by the amount of karats. Lately, however, one of the most iconic bags is getting in on the action, giving diamonds and other baubles a run for their money. Last fall, Hermès introduced a revamped miniature version of one of its most...

We started Madison Avenue Couture almost eight years ago with a true love for the quality of Hermès and Chanel handbags and accessories and a recognition that the finest products of these brands are often hard to procure. Our mission was to simplify the process of purchasing ultra-luxury merchandise and enable those wanting an Hermès Birkin or Kelly or a Chanel classic to get...