Michelle Berk, Forbes France’s Fall 2021 Cover Star, Talks Being the CEO of Privé Porter

Appearing on the cover of the most recent copy of Forbes France is Michelle Berk, the accomplished CEO of luxury reseller Privé Porter. Since its launch, the brand has become a household name for luxury fashion collectors, with its most recognized and sold product being the coveted Hermès Birkin bag. Privé Porter has become the go-to source amongst celebrities (including Paris Hilton, Cardi B., and Kris Jenner) for rare styles, colors, and exclusive designs.

In the issue, Berk discusses the growth of Privé Porter, a brand that initially posted bags on Instagram for purchase, connected with clients on Whatsapp, and occasionally organized their own pop-up stores. Only a year ago did the brand open up their first brick-and-mortar store in Miami’s Brickell City Centre. One of the secrets behind the brand is the amount of knowledge they offer to their clients when it comes to making a hefty purchase of any Birkin, considering that the starting price of the handbag can be $10,000, with the most expensive Birkin costing around $2 million. What attracts clients (who can afford it) to Privé Porter is how they do not require the many obstacles that Hermès have set in place to score a Birkin bag. 

Privé Porter’s popularity is attributed to their growing clientele list of celebrities. Arguably one of the most stunning pieces sold by Privé Porter is the rare Rose Tyrien Hermès Birkin, custom made with 30,000 Swarovski crystals and said to cost $65,000. The bag was exclusively made for Paris Hilton, who had her previous Birkin collection stolen by the notorious Bling Ring. The wealthy socialite adored her bag, describing it as, “If I were a bag, this would be me.” While the rare pink Birkin may be the most recognizable piece exclusively from Privé Porter, it is not the most extravagant handbag custom-made by the brand. Another bag that was encrusted with 80,000 crystals and cost around $98,000 holds that place. 

Moneybags, the title of the magazine issue is a side venture introduced by Berk that makes owning a Birkin even more elite by selling Birkins adorned by artisans with Swarovski crystals. The exclusive bags have already appeared on Cardi B. and her daughter, Kulture. Within the issue, Berk is seen holding her rare creations from the Moneybags collection. On the cover, she’s holding a Birkin embellished with ruby red and black crystals over a lipstick print. In other photographs, she’s holding a handbag with a camo design and a purse with a design of $100 bills, both made up of crystals. 

With the success of Privé Porter and Moneybags, we’ll see what Berk’s next entrepreneurial move will be within luxury.