This Shadow Birkin is in Black swift leather with tonal stitching, open top, embossed details and double rolled handles.

The interior is lined with black chevre and is one zip pocket with an Hermes engraved pull and an open pocket on opposite side.

The Shadow Birkin was first introduced in 2009 when Jean Paul Gaultier was Hermes’ creative director.  The idea was to take advantage of the Birkin’s basic rectangle shape. It is a true trompe l’oeil (optical illusion). Looking at the bag, one wonders if the straps are actually real or not. Viewed from a perpendicular angle (which need to show), the optical illusion can be quite unsettling. A rare bag, available only in a 35cm Birkin, the Shadow is a real bag that opens on top.