And just in case you’re no fan of the Kelly, meet Tiny Birkin in Kiwi Epsom Calfskin, which also comes with the strap. Adorable, isn’t it?

Might as well show you the Tiny Birkin in exotic lizard as well, in Blue Mykonos that’s oh so lush. And click here to see the rest of the family.

Images: Hermès

What’s more intriguing is perhaps the fact that Kongo was a Vietnamese refugee who must have have faced adversity growing up. Having had the chance to ask him a few questions, I did just that, and then some.

Bagaholicboy: From Vietnamese refugee to celebrated graffiti artist living and working in France. How did that happen?

Kongo: I painted and drew but when I arrived in France to live with my grandparents, it was clandestine. I was a refugee from the Vietnam war and had no papers. Being really shy, I used painting to express myself. I needed to dream and live my imagination. Graffiti was perfect for me.

Your real name is Cyril Phan. Why did you take on the moniker ‘Kongo’?

K: People who didn’t know me used to judge my tag and think that Kongo would be a big, black man. They didn’t know it would be a skinny Vietnamese kid. I used Kongo after living in Africa from the age of 13 to 18. It was a tribute to the most cherished parts of my childhood.

Working with Hermes has got to be a huge honour, for any artist. How did that come about?

K: The first time I met with the team, I was told, ‘We like your work, but we don’t know what we can do with it. Show us what you’re doing, bring us your style and the door will stay open.’

From a distance, the impression may be that Hermès is only for the rich but that’s not true. Its philosophy is very human. Hermès is like the graffiti community in some ways; it’s not just about the form, how things look, but the heart, what’s within.

Your first collaboration with Hermès resulted in the Graff Hermès scarves. What was the inspiration behind it?

K: The Graff Hermès scarf took two years to design. I take my time and Hermès takes their time. I took my letters which I’ve used in the streets and made them chic. I wanted to express energy, the energy of the street, of my travels. So I created an explosion of Hermès letters exploding to every side with splashes of paint.

Usually, in classic Hermès carrés, there are four borders. Here are only two so it’s open. It isn’t hemmed in. You can’t hem graffiti in. It’s a blast of freedom.

Kongo will be in attendance during the opening of the Hermès Scotts Square store this Friday (9 December 2011), where he will be unveiling more artwork and creating custom graffiti name tags. And if you’re keen on getting yourself a Graff Hermès, they will be available for sale at SGD620 a pop.

Images: Hermès

Measuring 45 cm by 45 cm, it is one of those pieces you should buy even if you’re not in the habit of wearing scarves, as it is destined to be a collector’s item in the years to come. Available in 4 different colour combinations, the one shown above is obviously my favourite in gorgeous Hermès hues of orange and brown.

Here’s another, in brilliant blues and reds that’s not less alluring. Priced at SGD270 a piece (affordable, no?), they have been released in Singapore though I have a feeling they are probably already sold out by now. Still, no harm heading down to check it out for yourself and perhaps put yourself on the wait list for them.

Yes, they are really worth it. I would know, I managed to get the one in brown and orange and it’s so beautiful! Makes a superb X’mas gift too, if you ask me.

Before I sign off, here’s another design for those in love with all things horological. Meet Monsieur Montres.

Images: Hermès

To start you on your way, here are some of my favourite things in black, which will also make great gifts for the man in your life. Especially interesting are the wool scarf from McQueen and the bear lapel pin from 3.1 Phillip which are on my own personal wish list as well.

Clockwise from top left: WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie leather card holder, GBP100, YSL aviator sunglasses, GBP230, Hermès heavy silk twill tie, from SGD300, 3.1 Phillip Lim Bear Label Pin, USD95, Dolce & Gabbana chunky leather brogues, GBP595, Alexander McQueen skull wool scarf, GBP260, Vivienne Westwood gunmetal crystal cufflinks, GBP95, Bottega Veneta Intreccio Uno CD, SGD60, Mulberry BlackBerry Cover, GBP70, Burberry grainy leather iPad sleeve, SGD575

Images: Burberry, Mulberry, Mr Porter, My-Wardrobe, Net-A-Porter & Shopbop

Traditionally made in sizes from 40 cm through to 55 cm (which refers to the width of the bag), it has stayed true to its original form, large and imposing, which also happens to be its Achilles’ heel. Being so huge also means it is a less popular option as far as the guys are concerned. Sometimes, trying to spot one on the streets is like trying to find a unicorn, but when you do, you’ll drop everything you’re doing just to stare at it a little longer, taking in its magnificence and basking in its glory.

The one shown above, in Togo calfskin, is a HAC50. A gorgeous hue of golden cocoa brown, it is priced at SGD19,000, which while out of reach to most mere mortals does also makes it all the more covetable as well.

There are newer sizes which include the smaller 28 cm, 32 cm and 36 cm (though I think they are only made when special orders are received), catered specially to ladies who like its vertical shape as opposed to the Birkin‘s more squarish proportions, but that’s irrelevant as far as this post is concerned, since I’m still on the fence as to whether a HAC50 (or a HAC45 for that matter) is one of the bags I should be seriously considering, even if I will only probably use it as a carry on when I travel. What do you think?

Image: Hermès

While the premise may be similar, the approach and attention to detail is more in-depth this time round. I, for one, spent hours going through all the links, which included pages of gorgeous silks and their accessories, each wonderfully presented to show you every single detail contained within.

Also available online for your viewing pleasure, enamel bracelets from Hermès in all shapes and colours, from the printed to the plain.

Especially fascinating are the knotting cards, which show how to make the most of your precious silks. Use them to adorn your bags, create a completely new one or simply turn the silks into accessories for your head, neck and bust (turning them into toga tops, capes and even belts).

An inspiring way to spend a lazy afternoon, do log on and experience first-hand all that is Paris Mon Ami and the story it has to tell.

Images: Hermès

Measuring 60 cm across by 40 cm, it features the Quadrige print, the handles in woven lotus wood. On the inside, it is unlined with no zippered pockets or slots.

Priced at USD2700, you can still get it in Singapore at the Hermès store at DFS Scottswalk Galleria where it retails for SGD4550. Which begs the question. As beautiful and as unique as it may be, would you get it?

Image: Hermès

The first Asian stop after its tour in Europe and the States, the Hermès Festival des Métiers (Festival of Crafts) officially opens to the public on 3 September 2011 (Saturday) all the way till 7 September 2011 at Paragon, a massive exhibition that has many different stations set up within the main atrium.

Each station covers a different craft, some showing the making of bags and ties, while others show you how their legendary scarves are created and then silkscreened, a laborious process when each individual colour is silkscreened on layer by layer.

There is even a station where they show you how the gorgeous Collier de Chien cuff is put together, the craftsman using the tiniest of tweezers to affix diamonds onto the studs with the help of the microscope that magnifies it 20 times. It takes 21 days alone just to affix all the diamonds, each stud holding over a hundred glittering stones.

I could go on and on but I shan’t. Instead I urge you all to head down and have a look for yourselves (before or after you’ve jostled at H&M), where I promise you’ll come away appreciating every single piece you already own a little more.

Or make you start wanting some Hermès of your own.

Images: Hermès

Exactly the same as the former, the only difference is the diameter, which is a tad larger. While the original measures 6.35 cm in diameter, the new one for mens measures almost 7 cm.

Besides the diameter, all the other details are the same, including the hardware’s design, as well as the price. I did a quick check online; in the US it retails for USD1050, a boon for those heading to the States soon.

Why? Because it is also the best time to get yourself a bracelet or two, since it will only cost SGD1260 or so after conversion, compared to the SGD1800 or so you have to pay for it if you get it locally. If you can even get one in the first place.

The only dilemma you’ll have now is to decide on a colour combination you like best.

Image: Hermès

YOU SHOULD SEE: Hermès Collier de Chien Bracelet
YOU SHOULD SEE: Hermès Kelly Double Tour Bracelet

Instead, I would like to share this short clip with you that features the adorable Illico in everyday scenes, slung over the shoulder, perched on the table and just being out and about enjoying her day in the sun.

Adorable, isn’t it?

Image & Video: Hermès

YOU SHOULD SEE: Hermès Illico