Hermès Birkin 35 SO BLACK Matte Alligator PVD Hardware
Hermès Birkin 35 SO BLACK Matte Alligator PVD Hardware
SO BLACK is the limited-edition Birkin Hermès produced under Jean-Paul Gaultier's direction, debuted in 2010 during his final years as Hermès Artistic Director. The defining design element is the complete monochromatic treatment: black PVD-coated hardware against black leather, eliminating all metallic contrast and producing a tonally unified silhouette where structural identity is read entirely through leather and form rather than metal accent. PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is an engineered metallic coating process rather than paint, producing a durable matte black finish on hardware that retains structural integrity while removing visual presence. Matte Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis, ●● symbol) carries the smaller and rounder scale tiles characteristic of American alligator, with the unbuffed surface absorbing light to deepen the monochrome rather than amplifying surface reflection. Alligator SO BLACK pieces are among the rarest configurations in the entire SO BLACK catalog, produced in even smaller runs than Box Calf and pulled from production after Gaultier's departure. SO BLACK shipped with custom all-black packaging including black box, black dust bag, and black tissue paper, distinct from standard Hermès orange packaging. O □ stamp places production at 2011, the second year of the SO BLACK production run.
Condition: 2 – Excellent
Stamp: O □ (2011)
Color: SO BLACK
Leather: Matte Alligator
Hardware: PVD
Includes: Special Edition Black Box, black dust bag, raincover, care booklet, original CITES
Dimensions: 35 x 25 x 18 cm | 13.8" x 9.8" x 7.1"
Handle Drop: 11 cm | 4.3"
Collector's Insight: SO BLACK was Gaultier's most conceptually radical contribution to the Birkin program, treating the bag as a single tonal object rather than a leather-plus-hardware composition. Matte Alligator SO BLACK occupies the apex within the program: exotic leather compounds the already-restricted production base, matte finish further narrows allocation against the more common shiny exotic, and PVD hardware in well-preserved condition is statistically scarce since the coating is sensitive to handling and surface contact. The Special Edition Black Box and full black packaging set is integral to SO BLACK provenance and supports significantly stronger secondary positioning than examples missing original packaging. The 2011 production places this within the brief SO BLACK production window, a cycle that closed entirely after Gaultier's departure.
Resale Insight: SO BLACK exotic Birkins occupy their own valuation tier, distinct from both standard alligator Birkins and SO BLACK Box Calf examples. Pricing is set by allocation scarcity and design significance against effectively zero new supply, with original Hermès CITES eliminating cross-border documentation friction at this tier. Birkin 35 SO BLACK Matte Alligator with intact PVD coating, complete black packaging, and original CITES captures the most defensible secondary positioning for the configuration. Excellent condition at fourteen years on a piece this sensitive to handling indicates careful preservation.
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Featured product
JaneFinds Beaded Semi-Precious Stone Crossbody Chain
The JaneFinds Beaded Semi-Precious Stone Crossbody Chain is hand-knotted from up to 60 varieties of natural semi-precious stones strung between lobster-clasp hardware at each end. The clasp configuration attaches directly to the sangle hardware of Hermès bags and converts the bag to crossbody or shoulder wear. The chain also functions independently as a long necklace without a bag attached.
Documented stone varieties include amethyst, apatite, carnelian, citrine, emerald, labradorite, lemon quartz, peach moonstone, peridot, Peruvian opal, pink moonstone, prehnite, rose quartz, ruby, sunstone, and tourmaline. Each stone is individually hand-knotted between adjacent stones, securing the strand against bead loss in the event of any single break. Stones are sorted into four documented colorways: Rainbow, Natural, Turquoise, and Malachite. Exact stone composition within each colorway varies by piece due to the natural variation of the source materials.
Standard length is 44 inches (112 cm), which produces a crossbody drop appropriate for Hermès bags 25 cm and smaller, including the Mini Kelly 20 II, Kelly Pochette, Constance 18 and 24, and Birkin 25. The chain can be doubled to produce a shorter shoulder drop or wrist-wrap carry, and worn as a standalone necklace at full length. Hardware (Gold or Palladium clasp) is selected at order.
Length: 44" | 112 cm
Material: Semi-Precious Stones, Hand-Knotted
Hardware: Gold or Palladium clasp (selected at order)
Colorways: Rainbow / Natural / Turquoise / Malachite
Recommended For: Hermès bags 25 cm and smaller (Mini Kelly 20 II, Kelly Pochette, Constance 18, Constance 24, Birkin 25)
Production: Hand-knotted, 7-10 business days
Note: Each chain is unique. Stones fall within the selected colorway range; exact composition varies by piece.
Styling Notes:
The chain pairs with the full JaneFinds accessory chain collection for coordinated multi-chain layering. Standard wear is single-strand crossbody; doubling produces a shorter shoulder carry. The lobster-clasp configuration matches Hermès sangle hardware proportions and does not require additional adapters.
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JaneFinds Cuban Crossbody Chain
The JaneFinds Cuban Crossbody Chain converts top-handle carry of Hermès Kelly and Mini Kelly bags into crossbody or shoulder wear without altering the bag. Cuban link is a flat, twist-pattern chain construction: each link rotates 90 degrees relative to its neighbors and interlocks tightly, producing a chain that lays flush against the body rather than twisting or rolling at the strap line. The pattern is the standard reference for flat-laying chainwork and remains the most stable shoulder-strap chain construction for weighted top-handle bags.
Hardware finish is offered in Gold or Palladium to match Hermès hardware on the carrying bag. Each chain terminates in a lobster clasp at one end and a spring ring at the other, attaching directly to the Kelly's sangle D-rings without adapters. Two clip sizes are offered: Standard Clip for Kelly 25, 28, 32, and 35; Small Clip for Mini Kelly 20 II, Vintage Mini Kelly, and Mini Bolide. Link gauge is selected as Wide or Narrow at order; Wide produces a heavier, more visually present chain, Narrow a finer line.
Standard chain length is 44 inches (112 cm), which produces a standard crossbody drop for most Kelly sizes. The chain can be doubled for a shorter shoulder carry or worn standalone as a necklace. Pairs with the JaneFinds Beaded Semi-Precious Stone Crossbody Chain and other accessory chain collection pieces for layered styling.
Length: 44" | 112 cm
Material: Cuban Link Chain
Hardware: Gold or Palladium (selected at order)
Clip Size: Standard or Small (selected at order)
Link Gauge: Wide or Narrow (selected at order)
Recommended For:
Standard Clip: Kelly 25, 28, 32, 35
Small Clip: Mini Kelly 20 II, Vintage Mini Kelly, Mini Bolide
Production: Made to order
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Condition Rank
Condition Rank1 - Like New, shows little to no evidence of wear, age or handling
2 - Exceptionally well-maintained, very minor signs of use, wear, age, or handling
3 - Pre-Loved, gently used with slight signs of wear
4 - Pre-Loved, exhibits signs of wear and regular use
