Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag

Overview

An insider's hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin

For more than twenty years, the Hermes Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermes, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello . . .

Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermes scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermes to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs--and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women.

With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his "shoppers" held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag "reserved" bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers.

Whether he's relating his wining and dining, buying and selling, dodging and weaving, laughing and crying, or schmoozing and stammering, Michael is a master raconteur who weaves together tales of hunting Birkins in the world's most posh locales, memories of meals that would make any gastronome salivate, anecdotes of obsessed collectors with insatiable desires, and sweetly intimate stories about his family, friends, and finding true love. The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.

Editorial Reviews

In a funny, whip-smart memoir sure to be a sensation among Vogue and W devotees, erstwhile hair and makeup artist Tonello (now a columnist for HuffingtonPost.com) chronicles a surprising (even to him!) trans-Atlantic move from Provincetown, R.I. to a city he'd fallen in love with on a short trip: Barcelona, where he knows no one and doesn't speak the language. Tonello's initial euphoria dissolves when his new job fails to materialize. To stay afloat, Tonello starts selling items on Ebay with startling results: his first, heart-racing success, a year-old $99 Polo scarf he sold for $430 to a Midwesterner ('I guess he really liked plaid') makes Tonello an instant believer in the resale capabilities of high-end luxury items. Thus his new trade, and his quest for the Birkin, the 'it bag' of all time, famous for its impenetrable waiting list ('What do you mean the waiting list is closed? It's a waiting list. So I can't wait?'). After many failed attempts, Tonello plans a weekend drive to Madrid in search of the haute couture holy grail; the result is a both a hilarious raid on fashion's strongholds and a memoir that satisfies like a novel. Fashion die-hards, and many others, will be delighted from beginning to end. Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.

Author Information

Bio of Michael Tonello

Michael Tonello grew up in Massachusetts. He traveled the world as a makeup artist and hairdresser until a chance job assignment in Spain proved fateful, and he resettled in Barcelona. Pressed to find a profession that didn't necessitate working papers, he started a lucrative business on eBay as a reseller of all things Herm�s. Michael lives in Barcelona with his partner, Juan.

Customer Reviews

• Bringing Home the Birkin is Priceless!!!

  Posted March 14, 2009 by Cindy , Sebring

  I don't know how many times I've read the book. More than 5 for sure! It's funny and heart-warming! His tale is richly and vividly described. A fantastic read all the way thru!
  I highly recommend this book, especially for the handbag shopaholic like myself!!!! I hope he writes another book sometime, he is a true story-teller!!!

Additional Info

Imprint

William Morrow &Company

Filesize

1.10 MB

Number of Pages

272

eBook ISBN

9780061645846