Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag
by: Michael Tonello
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For more than twenty years, the Hermès 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 Hermès, 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 Hermès 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 Hermès 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.
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 Hermès 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 Hermès, 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 Hermès 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 Hermès 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.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Bubbly, fun, great story!
Totally 5 stars, hands down! This book was so much fun to read.Michael weaves his humor throughout the story, and knows how to engage the reader. This is definitely a page-turner, I couldn't put it down, and I even TIVO'd my favorite TV shows because I didn't want to stop reading! I now have my fingers crossed that there will be a sequel!
Rating: - I want a Birkin!
I was familiar with Birkins before this, but, of course, did not know that much. As they run into the thousands, I won't be buying one anytime soon. However, this is such a fun read. It's about a guy who finds himself without an income in barcelona and, by chance, sells a Hermes scarf--or was it a tie???--and starts a crazy ebay business. I have to suggest this one because if you love luxury, you're gonna love this, too. Another good read: The Towering World of Jimmy Choo: A Glamorous Story of Power, ... Read More
Rating: - adventure, humor, love and sorrow; all the ingredients for a great story
`Bringing Home the Birkin' by Michael Tonello is a delightful story about his adventures traveling to the swankest places in the world in search of Hermes treasure. The story takes you from his life in Province Town to Barcelona where he finds his soul mate and then around the world to places like Paris, Luxemburg, and dozens of other luxurious places you've only dreamed of visiting. You'll learn his `formula' for buying Birkins in France versus Italy.You'll laugh till you cry at the descriptions of ... Read More
Rating: - Fabulous!
This is such a fun book to read!It is addicting - I read it in 1 day!!I recommend this for anyone who loves handbags and fashion.
Rating: - Beyond Fabulous
Michael:Well, you have some talent, kid.For writing.For entrepreneurialship.For creativity.For writing one heckuva book, which I read twice, because I needed the giggle-fix!!!!Thank you Michael, for restoring my soul in Hermes...I trashed ALL my Hermes after the Oprah debacle-it's true-Oh, well. Aside from my Irishness...I thank you again for doing such an awesome job in bringing your gig to life...xoxo, JCR
P.S.OK, when is your next book coming out...I will need another giggle ... Read More
- Bubbly, fun, great story!Totally 5 stars, hands down! This book was so much fun to read.Michael weaves his humor throughout the story, and knows how to engage the reader. This is definitely a page-turner, I couldn't put it down, and I even TIVO'd my favorite TV shows because I didn't want to stop reading! I now have my fingers crossed that there will be a sequel!
- I want a Birkin!I was familiar with Birkins before this, but, of course, did not know that much. As they run into the thousands, I won't be buying one anytime soon. However, this is such a fun read. It's about a guy who finds himself without an income in barcelona and, by chance, sells a Hermes scarf--or was it a tie???--and starts a crazy ebay business. I have to suggest this one because if you love luxury, you're gonna love this, too. Another good read: The Towering World of Jimmy Choo: A Glamorous Story of Power, ... Read More
- adventure, humor, love and sorrow; all the ingredients for a great story`Bringing Home the Birkin' by Michael Tonello is a delightful story about his adventures traveling to the swankest places in the world in search of Hermes treasure. The story takes you from his life in Province Town to Barcelona where he finds his soul mate and then around the world to places like Paris, Luxemburg, and dozens of other luxurious places you've only dreamed of visiting. You'll learn his `formula' for buying Birkins in France versus Italy.You'll laugh till you cry at the descriptions of ... Read More
- Fabulous!This is such a fun book to read!It is addicting - I read it in 1 day!!I recommend this for anyone who loves handbags and fashion.
- Beyond FabulousMichael:Well, you have some talent, kid.For writing.For entrepreneurialship.For creativity.For writing one heckuva book, which I read twice, because I needed the giggle-fix!!!!Thank you Michael, for restoring my soul in Hermes...I trashed ALL my Hermes after the Oprah debacle-it's true-Oh, well. Aside from my Irishness...I thank you again for doing such an awesome job in bringing your gig to life...xoxo, JCR
P.S.OK, when is your next book coming out...I will need another giggle ... Read More
