# Birkinstock Shoes

Birkenstocks made from destroyed Birkin Bags

- Launched: 2021/02/08
- Studio: [MSCHF](https://mschf.xyz)
- Live: https://birkinstock.shoes
- Stack: HTML, CSS, Vue, Nuxt
- Page: https://pim.dev/work/birkinstock

## About the project

Birkinstock is MSCHF Drop #39 — a limited run of Birkenstock Arizona-style sandals made from destroyed Hermès Birkin bags. Launched on February 8, 2021, the project fused the ultra-luxury Birkin with the casual Birkenstock to create a deliberate juxtaposition questioning how society attributes value to objects. MSCHF purchased four authentic Birkin bags from resale sites for approximately $122,500, featuring exotic leathers including Porosus Crocodile in burgundy and white, Taurillon Clemence in black, and Ostrich in black. Only around 10 pairs were produced, priced between $34,000 and $76,000 depending on leather type and sandal size.

Before cutting the authentic bags, MSCHF practiced the manufacturing process on counterfeit Birkins. Two leather workshops in Brooklyn refused to participate, scandalized by the idea of destroying a Birkin. Each pair featured custom-made vermeil buckles, "Birkinstock" branding in the Birkenstock font, the Hermès horse and carriage motif stamped on the side, and packaging in Hermès's signature orange box with a scarf-like dust bag. MSCHF described the project as a "transubstantiation" rather than a collaboration, deliberately not seeking approval from either Hermès or Birkenstock.

The birkinstock.shoes website was built with Vue and Nuxt, serving as the exclusive platform for viewing and ordering the sandals. The site presented the product and handled the made-to-order request system for what the New York Times called "the most exclusive sandal ever made."

## Results

All pairs sold out, with three selling before the official launch. Celebrity buyers included rapper Future, singer Kehlani, and an unnamed art collector. Kylie Jenner publicly displayed her black Taurillon Clemence pair on Instagram on February 16, 2021. The project generated massive global press coverage from CNN, the New York Times, Hypebeast, Esquire, and dozens of other publications. MSCHF is represented by Perrotin Gallery, where the Birkinstocks were featured in an exhibition.

## Credits

- Lorenz Mager (Producer)
- [Niek Dekker](https://niekdekker.com/) (Designer)
- Kevin Wiesner (Art Director)
- Stephen Tetreault (Producer)

## Said about the project

> Birkin bags are like a cultural meme, a symbol for a certain kind of wealth.
>
> — Lukas Bentel, Creative Director, MSCHF ([source](https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/mschf-hermes-birkenstock-birkin-bag-birkinstock-luxury-house-slipper-custom-jesus-air-max-97-holy-water-brand))

> We're just sort of fascinated with destroying expensive things and creating something new out of them.
>
> — Daniel Greenberg, Head of Strategy, MSCHF ([source](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/mschf-drops-the-most-exclusive-sandals-ever-made-theyre-called-birkinstocks/))

> We know some people are going to react with, 'What is wrong with you people?' But we're okay being hated. We just don't want apathy.
>
> — Daniel Greenberg, Head of Strategy, MSCHF ([source](https://www.esquire.com/uk/style/shoes/a35458198/birkinstock-mschf/))

> We really think nothing is sacred in our material choices. Normally, no one would touch a Birkin.
>
> — Kevin Wiesner, Creative Director, MSCHF ([source](https://fashionmagazine.com/style/celebrity-style/hermes-birkenstocks-kylie-jenner/))

> In terms of actually wearing it. I don't know if anybody except Future has put it on their feet.
>
> — Kevin Wiesner, Creative Director, MSCHF ([source](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/mschf-not-in-paris/))

## Press

- CNN: [The $76K 'Birkinstock' sandal cut from real Birkin bags](https://www.cnn.com/style/article/mschf-birkinstock-from-birkin-bags/index.html) — Comprehensive coverage of the Birkinstock concept, production process, and MSCHF's approach to luxury goods as artistic material.
- Hypebeast: [MSCHF's $76k USD "Birkinstock" Is Made From Real Hermès Birkin Bags](https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/mschf-hermes-birkenstock-birkin-bag-birkinstock-luxury-house-slipper-custom-jesus-air-max-97-holy-water-brand) — Detailed breakdown of materials, pricing, and the creative philosophy behind destroying Birkin bags to make sandals.
- The Fashion Law: [MSCHF Drops the "Most Exclusive Sandals Ever Made"](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/mschf-drops-the-most-exclusive-sandals-ever-made-theyre-called-birkinstocks/) — Legal analysis of the trademark implications of using Hermès and Birkenstock branding, and MSCHF's deliberate provocation strategy.
- Esquire: [These £50,000 'Birkinstock' Sandals Are Probably Already Sold Out](https://www.esquire.com/uk/style/shoes/a35458198/birkinstock-mschf/) — UK perspective on the drop, featuring Daniel Greenberg on MSCHF's willingness to embrace controversy.
- Paper Magazine: [MSCHF Made Birkenstocks Out of a Birkin Bag](https://www.papermag.com/mschf-birkinstocks) — Coverage of the launch and early buyers, noting rapper Future as one of the first to purchase a pair.
- Highsnobiety: [This Birkenstock Sandal Is Made of Real Hermès Birkin Bags](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/birkenstock-hermes-birkin-sandal-bootleg/) — Design and conceptual analysis of the Birkinstock within MSCHF's broader body of provocative product art.
- Footwear News: [Birkinstock & Birkin Sandals by MSCHF Are Made of Destroyed Bags](https://footwearnews.com/fashion/collaborations/birkinstock-birkin-mschf-sandals-release-info-1203104708/) — Industry trade perspective on the production process and the intersection of luxury fashion and streetwear culture.
- Elle UK: [Kylie Jenner Has The New £55,000 Birkenstocks](https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/celebrity-style/a35516547/kylie-jenner-birkin-bag-birkenstocks/) — Coverage of Kylie Jenner's black Taurillon Clemence pair, revealed on her Instagram.
- Fashion Magazine: [Hermes Birkenstocks: Why Are Celebrities Buying Them?](https://fashionmagazine.com/style/celebrity-style/hermes-birkenstocks-kylie-jenner/) — Celebrity buyer roundup examining why high-profile figures were drawn to the Birkinstock drop.
- Rap-Up: [Future Shows Off $40,000 Birkinstock Sandals](https://www.rap-up.com/article/2021/02/08/future-shows-off-birkinstock-sandals) — Coverage of Future as the first celebrity buyer, showcasing his pair on launch day.

---

Index: https://agent.pim.dev/llms.txt