The iconic Hermès Birkin bag was created in 1984 but it wasn’t an immediate hit: it only really took off in the late ’90s, at the dawn of the It-bag era. Since then, it has become one of the most desired items in – almost – every woman’s list. According to Baghunter, a luxury retail company, in the last 35 years, the Birkin handbag has increased in value by more than 500 percent!

The company compared three different types of popular investments: the S&P 500, gold and Hermès Birkin Handbags. The study shows that the bag has never shown a downward decrease in value, making it worth more than both gold and the S&P 500. Read the full story here.

* The first of these incredible handbags was manufactured in the early 80′s for model, singer, and it-girl Jane Birkin. After being seated next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London, Jane expressed her disdain for her messy datebook (only to receive one with a pocket in the back cover) and her quest to find the perfect weekend bag.

* Hand-built by expertly trained craftsman, the production of one Birkin can take up to 48 hours of work, more than a week for a single bag on a regular full-time schedule.

* An Hermès Birkin bag with diamonds set a record for the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction, bringing $221,846.

* Originally, Jane Birkin accepted a free bag in exchange for the use of her name. Although she’s still not a paid ambassador or face of Hermès, the brand does now give her an annual payment for use of her name, which she donates to charities of her choice. Jane uses a single Birkin in a neutral color until it is wrecked; only then does she get a new one and auction the used bag for charity.

* The wait list for a Birkin can be as long as six years, a factor that has also worked to drive demand and value.

* Hermès most famous two bags, the Birkin and the Kelly, are not even listed on the fashion house’s website.

Photo credit: Purse Blog