There are luxury brands, and then there is Hermès. For nearly two centuries, the French maison has built a reputation—not merely for exquisite craftsmanship but for an aura of exclusivity unmatched in the modern fashion world. A Hermès bag is more than an accessory. It is a cultural symbol, a financial asset, a generational heirloom, and for a select group of global collectors, the centerpiece of an art-like pursuit. From record-breaking auction buyers to discreet billionaires and celebrity super-collectors, the world of Hermès enthusiasts is an ecosystem of passion, patience, and prestige.
Hermès collecting requires deep knowledge, an understanding of leathers and colour codes, a relationship with the brand, and, often, a willingness to wait years for a single piece. The top collectors, however, operate on another level entirely. They amass Birkins and Kellys in shades that rarely surface publicly, commission exotic-skin masterpieces, and often shape the secondary market through their acquisitions. Here is the most comprehensive look at the world’s top Hermès collectors and what makes their collections so extraordinary.
Jamie Chua: Singapore’s Most Famous Hermès Super-Collector
No modern list of Hermès collectors would be complete without Jamie Chua, perhaps the most publicly visible Hermès collector in the world. With more than half a million followers on Instagram and global media coverage, Chua has transformed her collection into part of her personal brand. Her famously climate-controlled Hermès closet in Singapore houses more than 200 Hermès bags, including multiple Himalaya Birkins, a rainbow of Kellys, rare Mini Kelly II models, and leather variations most collectors never encounter in person.
Chua is known for her exquisite understanding of Hermès colour theory. She owns several shades that are discontinued or produced in extremely limited runs, such as Vert Cru, Rose Scheherazade, and the much-desired Bleu Aztec. Her collection also includes special-order (“horseshoe”) pieces customised in unique colour combinations and hardware choices. Beyond quantity, what sets her apart is curation. Each bag appears meticulously selected for rarity, resale value, and visual harmony with the rest of her display—an approach that mirrors how museums curate art.
The Ultimate Hermès Auction Buyer: Anonymous Middle Eastern Royalty
Some of the most prolific Hermès collectors come from the Middle East, where royalty and ultra-high-net-worth families have historically supported the brand’s most exotic and exclusive creations. While names are rarely disclosed publicly, auction house insiders consistently note that Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are home to some of the world’s largest Hermès closets.
Middle Eastern collectors are known for commissioning special-order Birkins in exotic skins such as shiny porosus crocodile, matte niloticus, and the rarest colourways reserved only for VIPs—shades like Bleu Marine, Poussière, and Rose Lipstick in crocodile. Many of these collectors maintain relationships with Hermès that span decades, often purchasing across multiple categories—ready-to-wear, homeware, tableware, saddlery, and fine jewelry—to secure priority access to ultra-rare handbags.
While these collectors seldom share their acquisitions online, their presence is felt at every major luxury auction in Hong Kong, Geneva, and London, where million-dollar bids for Himalaya Birkins often trace back to anonymous Middle Eastern paddles.
Heart Evangelista: The Philippines’ Global Hermès Style Icon
Heart Evangelista, the Filipino actress, artist, and fashion influencer, has earned international recognition for her elegant and deeply personal Hermès collection. Unlike collectors who focus purely on rarity, Evangelista styles her bags as part of her everyday wardrobe, often painting custom artwork on her favorite pieces—an approach that has made her collection one of the most distinctive in the world.
Her closet includes an enviable range of Birkins and Kellys in tailles 25, 30, and mini sizes, including several exotic-skin models and rare neutrals like Craie and Gris Tourterelle. She also possesses highly sought-after vintage Hermès pieces and limited-run designs from older collections. Evangelista’s appreciation for the brand runs deeper than trends; she views Hermès bags as canvases of heritage, artistry, and personal expression—a sentiment that has resonated strongly across Asia and beyond.
The Hong Kong Power Collectors: Asia’s Auction Titans
Hong Kong is often considered the epicenter of the Hermès secondary market. The city has produced some of the world’s most influential collectors—many of whom remain nameless but whose bidding behaviour shapes global pricing. These collectors frequently purchase directly from Hermès boutiques worldwide, supported by high purchasing power and deep knowledge of the brand’s craftsmanship.
Hong Kong collectors tend to favour exotic skins and neutral tones, such as black, Etoupe, and gold, as well as limited-edition runway pieces like the Cargo Birkin, Shadow Birkin, and the ultra-rare Faubourg Sellier Birkin that mimics the storefront of the Hermès flagship on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Their collections often extend to special-edition Kelly Dolls, Picnic Kellys made of wicker, Kelly Cuts in swift leather, and other niche models prized among connoisseurs.
Many of these collectors eventually consign select pieces through Christie’s or Sotheby’s, fueling a continuous cycle of rare bags entering and exiting the market—and contributing to Hong Kong’s status as the global capital of luxury handbag auctions.
Jane Birkin Herself: The Original Icon and Accidental Collector
Though Jane Birkin famously commented that she didn’t consider herself a collector, her role in Hermès history makes her inextricably linked to the Birkin bag itself. Her personal collection was never about amassing for rarity or value; she used her Birkins freely, adding stickers, charms, and personal touches that contrasted sharply with the reverential way others treat theirs.
Birkin’s approach unintentionally created a secondary culture in which “Jane-worn” aesthetics—soft, slouchy, lived-in bags—became just as desirable as pristine pieces. In many ways, she is the most influential Hermès owner of all time, not for volume or rarity but for shaping how the world emotionally connects with the Birkin.
The American Ultra-Collectors: Hollywood’s Quiet Hermès Elite
While celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez are widely known for their Hermès closets, the most serious American Hermès collectors are often discreet. Some are Silicon Valley executives, art collectors, or financiers with reserved tastes but deep appreciation for craftsmanship. These collectors often focus on vintage Hermès, especially early Kelly Sellier bags, older box calf leather Birkins, and historically significant pieces from the 1980s and 1990s.
Victoria Beckham is one of the few exceptions whose Hermès collection is public. Part of her extensive wardrobe includes dozens of Birkins in nearly every size and colour, several crocodile models, and exceptionally rare special-order pieces—making her one of the most recognisable Hermès collectors in celebrity culture.
Furthermore, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian are known for regularly acquiring runway-exclusive Hermès bags, including rare Kelly Danse models, So Black Birkins, and matte white Himalayas. Kardashian’s fashion archive strategy, which emphasizes long-term preservation, positions her as one of the most future-focused Hermès collectors globally.
The Future of Hermès Collecting: An Expanding but Ever-Elite World
Hermès collecting is evolving. Younger collectors in Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S. are now building curated micro-collections focusing on colour rarity, limited runs, and hard-to-source mini sizes. Meanwhile, investment-focused collectors view Himalaya Birkins and rare exotics as appreciating assets, leading to record-setting auction prices year after year.
Yet even as the community grows, the essence of Hermès collecting remains unchanged. It is not about showing off wealth but about honoring craftsmanship, preserving heritage, and embracing artistry. The top collectors in the world embody that ethos. Their closets are more than storage—they are archives. Their acquisitions are more than purchases—they are cultural moments.
As Hermès continues to innovate with new models, reinterpret classic silhouettes, and produce colour combinations destined for future rarity, the next era of collecting is already unfolding. And whether you admire from afar or dream of owning a single Birkin someday, the world of Hermès collectors offers a glimpse into fashion’s most exclusive—and endlessly fascinating—obsession.
2 Comments