u/TimeConflict3212

He kept telling me he’d found something “really special,” so I was expecting a classic color or maybe an older limited piece.

Then he sent me this.

My first reaction was honestly: what era of He-rmès is this even from?? It’s so over-the-top that I can’t decide whether he has incredible taste or is just messing with me.

Does anyone actually know this rainbow BK — iconic or completely unhinged?

I’ve been looking for this exact combination since 2023: K25, Box leather, Sellier, PHW, in this warm brick red.

I passed on a few along the way because the size or hw wasn’t right, and at some point I honestly thought I was being too picky.

Then this one finally showed up.

The color is even better in person — deep, warm, and slightly different depending on the light. After waiting this long, opening it felt a little unreal

I’d been thinking about a black Mini Kelly for a while, but kept wondering if it would feel too formal for how I actually dress. I finally went with this 89 Noir + GHW from Ben, and I’m glad I did.

The first thing I noticed in person was the contrast—the black looks very deep, while the gold hardware gives it just enough warmth. I also spent a lot of time looking at the front shape, handle, flap and hardware placement, and everything feels balanced overall.

My only concern is that this finish shows fingerprints and tiny marks almost immediately, so this definitely won’t be a carefree bag for me.

Still, it’s one of those pieces that looks even better in person than it did in the photos. Very happy I finally went for it.

Ben had sent me a few natural-light photos before shipping, and the texture looks even better in person.

I’m still being careful with the corners and handles, but overall I’m really happy with it.

9/10 so far.

I kept telling myself black was the “safe” choice… and somehow that turned into an entire collection.

Every little block was painted by hand, turning the whole bag into something closer to pixel art.

Part of me loves how unique it feels. The other part would be terrified to alter the original leather.

Wearable art—or an expensive mistake?

When comparing two Picotins, don’t decide based only on which one stands straighter. Clemence is naturally soft and becomes more relaxed with use.

1. Leather movement
   Au-th Clemence feels supple but not lifeless. When lifted, the body stretches and falls into soft, rounded folds. r-ep leather may feel unusually thick or collapse into sharper, flatter creases.

2. Grain
   Au-th leather usually shows natural variation across the surface. r-ep grain can look overly uniform, heavily pressed, or repeated.

3. Handles
   Au-th handles should feel rounded and balanced, with clean attachment points. r-ep handles may appear too flat, bulky, or unevenly positioned.

4. Stitching
   Au-th stitching typically has a subtle slant and controlled tension. r-ep stitching often looks completely straight, machine-like, or untidy around the corners.

5. Hw and closure
   Check the lock’s weight, engraving, plating, edges, and movement. The strap should also sit naturally through the bag rather than looking stiff or poorly aligned.

No single detail can confirm anything on its own, but when the leather movement, grain, handles, stitching, and hardware all point in the same direction, the difference becomes much easier to see.

Based on these two, which one looks more convincing to you—and what detail gave it away first?

I’ve usually been more drawn to sellier K-ellys, but this Etoupe B25 with GHW completely won me over.

The color, size, and hardware feel so balanced together, and I’m genuinely happy with it. Such a lovely birthday surprise.

What do you think of this combination?

Came across this in my camera roll today. The bag looked so perfect against the snow that I couldn’t resist setting it down for a few photos.

When I picked it back up, the shearling was covered in tiny bits of ice and it looked like a frozen Kelly.

At least I can confirm one thing: the Teddy handles cold weather surprisingly well.

The second I saw how many bright orange bags I had to carry out, I asked for the plain kraft ones instead.

I love what’s inside, but walking around with the logo everywhere makes me weirdly uncomfortable. The discreet packaging honestly felt like a lifesaver.

Does anyone else immediately hide luxury shopping bags, or do you carry them proudly?

I picked this up as a little reward after a pretty exhausting few months, and Ben just sent the photos. I don’t have the strongest eye for exotic leather, so any honest feedback is welcome. The overall shape and front scales look good to me, but I’d especially appreciate opinions on the handle shape, flap alignment, and whether the GHW looks too yellow in these photos.

I’ve heard Ben does a great BK, so I decided to go with him for this one.

I think the overall shape looks good and nothing stands out to me at first glance, but I’d really appreciate any opinions or recommendations!

Would love some help checking this K25 from Ben. Overall I’m not seeing any major issues from the P-SPs, and I really like how soft the Cream looks with palladium hardware.

This is my first ostrich bag, so I’m not very confident judging the pore pattern or whether the front panel looks even. Nothing is really jumping out at me, but I’d appreciate more eyes on the handle, flap and overall shape before I GL.

I wanted a small evening bag in a dark color, but I didn’t want another plain black one. Vert Cypress was the main reason I chose this combination.

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. The color looks almost black in lower light, while brighter light brings out a deep blue-green tone. The shiny Mississippiensis alligator has a strong gloss without looking flat, and the variation in the scales gives the front more depth.

The gold hardware works especially well with Vert Cypress. It adds warmth to the cool green and stands out clearly without making the bag look too busy. The flap, handle and front closure all look balanced, and the bag holds its structured shape well.

Overall, I’m very happy with the color and finish. It is dark enough to wear like a neutral, but much more interesting once the green appears under the light.

Timeline:
Ordered: June 18
P-SPs received: July 3
Shipped: July 7
Arrived: July 21

I originally asked Ben about a darker Constance because I wanted something easy and low-maintenance. Then he showed me this Gris Perle Ombré lizard with brushed gold hardware, and I kept going back to the photos even though it was the complete opposite of what I had planned.

My biggest hesitation was the hardware. I usually prefer brighter gold, so I worried the brushed finish might look dull next to the pale leather. In person, it actually reminds me more of an older piece of jewelry. It is warm, but not shiny, and it lets the lizard pattern stand out without making the whole bag feel too formal.

The clasp, flap and scale placement were the areas I checked most. Everything looks balanced overall, although I am still getting used to how careful I have to be around the front clasp. This is definitely not a bag I will throw onto a chair or carry in bad weather.

Ben was straightforward when I kept changing my mind between this and a darker option. He sent a few ordinary daylight photos instead of only polished ones, and those were what finally helped me decide.

Confirmed: June 17
P-SPs received: July 4
Shipped: July 7
Arrived: July 20

Just got this gold crocodile mini bag and wanted to share a quick shot.

The texture looks a lot richer in person, especially how the light hits the surface.

The long strap makes it easy to wear crossbody or carry by hand depending on the day.

Still deciding how I’ll style it, but it’s definitely one of those pieces that stands out even with a simple outfit.

I just received this mini house-shaped bag and wanted to share a quick look.

The top handles are in a grey textured leather, and the main body has a mix of darker tones with small orange window details.

It’s definitely more of a statement piece than something I’d use every day, but it’s really interesting to look at in person.

I usually keep my etoupe Birkin pretty minimal, but I added this green chain recently just to see how it looks.

The contrast between the muted leather and the brighter green actually grew on me more than I expected.

Still not sure if I’ll keep it on all the time, but it’s been fun switching things up a bit.

I’m not very experienced with bags, so I’d really appreciate some help from people who know this style better.I tried taking photos from a few angles to show it as clearly as possible.

If anything looks off or worth noting, I’d be really grateful for your thoughts. Thanks in advance

I unboxed my new bag, and my cat is giving me the “I need one too” eyes