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

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

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.

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

Michael weaves his humor throughout the story, and knows how to engage the reader. Totally 5 stars, hands down. This book was so much fun to read. 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 was familiar with Birkins before this, but, of course, did not know that much. 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. As they run into the thousands, I won't be buying one anytime soon. However, this is such a fun read. 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, Profits, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Shoe.

You'll laugh till you cry at the descriptions of the typical Hermes sales people. `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. It isn't all frolic and gallivanting though. 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. After cleaning out all the Hermes stores in Europe and Asia Michael finds that even traveling to the luxury capitals of the world to shop dine and visit the finest hotels can get old. His final trip to the beautiful Island of Capri (pronounced CAP ree) Italy is to recover after the loss of a very close loved one.The story has adventure, humor, love and sorrow; all the ingredients for a great story.

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.

For writing one heckuva book, which I read twice, because I needed the giggle-fix. For writing. Michael: Well, you have some talent, kid. Thank you Michael, for restoring my soul in Hermes.I trashed ALL my Hermes after the Oprah debacle-it's true-Oh, well. For entrepreneurialship. For creativity. Aside from my Irishness.I thank you again for doing such an awesome job in bringing your gig to life.xoxo, JCRP.S. OK, when is your next book coming out.I will need another giggle-fix soon.