Adding any new Hermès bag to my collection is a kind of surreal experience that conjures up childlike glee. But when a new recruit to my assortment of Hermès treasures comes unexpectedly AND is a super-rare limited-edition find, it’s somewhat hard to contain my excitement. Introducing my new Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque in Sellier Rouge and Rouge H with Palladium hardware. It’s a mouthful but very much worth it. This very special two-tone burgundy style is a limited-edition piece and is currently one of just five at the moment (but I’m sure this will change). It’s a limited-edition Faubourg bag and you’ll only find it at the famous Faubourg Saint-Honoré Hermès boutique in Paris. Oh, and it’s a blue box bag (the Hermès collectors who know, know).

If you’ve watched my YouTube video reveal you’ll know that my experience purchasing this bag has a pretty interesting backstory so read on for for all the details, plus this limited-edition Hermès bag’s design features, comparisons with other styles and how this bag is slotting into my cherished Hermès collection. It’s an Hermès connoisseur’s dream. 

Casaque design – Sellier Rouge and Rouge H colourway 

Sellier construction 

Size 30 

Epsom leather

Palladium hardware 

Wax finished trim

Classic dual top handles

4 feet on bottom

Crafted in France

Now when I say this bag was spontaneous, that’s no understatement. I originally went to the iconic Hermès Faubourg Saint-Honoré boutique in Paris to pick up my pair of Jumping boots in chocolate brown suede, but while I was there I got sidetracked. The Hermès Faubourg Saint-Honoré boutique is not just a store – it’s a museum, it’s a gallery, it’s a piece of the Maison’s history that is very special to me. I jokingly requested a Mini Kelly to my sales associate and was shocked when I was offered an appointment (?!?!). The surprises kept coming because a blue box was brought out – and this was the biggest blue box I had ever been offered before. Just to decode the Hermès lingo quickly, a blue box bag is essentially an incredibly rare item. 

And then I was introduced to my newest Hermès baby – the Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque in Sellier Rouge and Rouge H. This bag and I were clearly meant to be. It’s bold, super unique and combines two of my favourite Hermès shades. The two external colours of my Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque are Sellier Rouge and Rouge H, both varying shades of rich burgundy. You guys know that I’ve been loving styling this season’s colour of the moment since summer, so I’m super excited to continue my burgundy obsession with the help of this latest Hermès procurement.

In the world of Hermès, a Casaque design is very special. It’s essentially a colourblock style that’s split down the middle with a different colour on either side and a third colour for the interior. Previous Casaque designs have included red and fuchsia plus navy and black colourways. I definitely love when these kinds of designs feature two similar shades next to one another like this (my Sellier Rouge and Rouge H piece presents a stunning subtle contrast). But there are also Casaque designs that showcase a more bolder contrast of colours.

Hermès’ Birkin Sellier designs are a very interesting concept. While a Sellier version of the Kelly bag has long been a part of the Maison’s offering (the Kelly Sellier is in fact more popular and more commonly associated with the Kelly bag’s appeal than its less structured Retourne counterpart), the Birkin Sellier is a much newer Hermès creation. It was first conceptualised a decade ago in 2014 but it wasn’t until 2019 that the style was incorporated more widely into Hermès collections.

A Sellier version of an Hermès bag simply means that it’s more structured. Unlike the slouchier and more relaxed Retourne styles, Sellier bags have stitching on the outside which gives them a very structured and rigid silhouette that maintains its shape over time. The trim of the leather is also finished with wax, adding to this very polished look.

So there’s a new Birkin addition in my Hermès collection, why? Of course I was incredibly fortunate to be offered one but aside from that, this specific bag really adds something to my existing assortment of Hermès styles. My collection at the moment definitely favours bags that are on the smaller side and it’s a lot of Birkins in the 25 size as well as Kellys.

READ: HERMÈS BAGS – MINI KELLY VS. POCHETTE – WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

I already have a GORGEOUS vintage Kelly Sellier 28 in Rouge H in Box leather with Gold hardware but this has a very different look and feel to my new Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque. Size wise they’re pretty much the same but the Birkin is a little roomier inside. The Rouge H colour appears differently on both due to the difference in leathers. And as much as I absolutely adore my Kelly Sellier 28 in Rouge H it definitely has a more vintage look and pairs great with my gold jewellery. Whereas, my new Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque feels a little more contemporary and the Palladium hardware will go great with my silver pieces.

And now to compare the Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque against the original Birkin. It appears all Birkin bags were not created equal. I cherish all of my Hermès pieces but this bag is incredibly special. It’s of course more structured than the traditional Birkin owing to its Sellier construction. The downsize is that it holds less than a typical Birkin 30 as it is instead more comparable in size to my Kelly Sellier 28. It’s altogether a smarter looking bag and has a less casual everyday feel but that doesn’t mean I’m not planning on testing out its versatility with different looks for many different outings.

And that rounds off the complete review of my new Hermès Birkin 30 Sellier Casaque in Sellier Rouge and Rouge H. It’s always such an honour to be offered any Birkin or Kelly but to be offered a blue box bag was a real treat. More styling content with this rare beauty incoming. I’d love to know what kinds of Hermès content you’d all like to see next.

Explore more Hermès content: 

HERMÈS AW24 COLOURS

MY MOST WORN HERMÈS BAGS OF ALL TIME

HERMÈS BAGS: MINI KELLY VS. POCHETTE – WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

xoxo, Tamara

Check out the bag unboxing on my YouTube channel

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