Privé Porter’s Guide To: RAYE’s Black 35cm Birkin Is Good Enough to Eat
We get it, RAYE. That bag does look good enough to eat. 🖤
In a new Instagram post, RAYE was photographed quite literally sinking her teeth into a 35cm Hermès Birkin in Black Togo leather with Palladium Hardware, and frankly, this may be one of our favorite Birkin sightings lately.
The British singer-songwriter was seated inside what appears to be a boutique, dressed casually in jeans and a striped knit, with the oversized Black Birkin planted firmly on her lap. And rather than giving us the expected perfectly posed handbag shot, RAYE did what RAYE does best: made the whole thing completely her own.
We already loved her. Now she's biting a Birkin 35 covered in charms? We love her even more.
RAYE Is Having a Major Moment
There is plenty to celebrate beyond the handbag.
RAYE has become one of the most exciting artists in contemporary music, and 2026 has only expanded her reach. Her sophomore album, This Music May Contain Hope, was released in March 2026, and her official site describes the project as a four-part journey structured around the seasons. She's also been on a massive international arena tour, with dates across Europe, the UK and North America.
And while RAYE's music may be the reason millions know her name, we have increasingly found ourselves watching her fashion too.
She has a wonderfully individual approach to getting dressed. Glamorous when she wants to be, vintage-inspired at other times, and completely willing to abandon the overly polished celebrity formula.
Which brings us back to the Birkin.
The Bag: A 35cm Hermès Birkin in Black Togo
RAYE is carrying one of the great Hermès classics: a 35cm Hermès Birkin in Black Togo with Palladium Hardware.
There are rarer combinations. There are brighter colors. There are exotic skins and limited editions that immediately announce themselves across a room.
But there is something almost impossible to beat about a Black Togo Birkin.
Black is one of those foundational Hermès colors that works regardless of season, wardrobe or decade. Pair it with the relaxed texture of Togo leather, the generous proportions of the Birkin 35 and cool Palladium Hardware, and you have the definition of an Hermès workhorse.
This isn't a Birkin that needs to sit perfectly upright on a shelf.
It begs to be used.
Apparently, it also begs to be tasted.
We LOVE Seeing the Birkin 35 Again
The Hermès Birkin 35 has been having the comeback it deserves.
After years in which the Birkin 25 dominated wish lists, the larger sizes have returned to the conversation in a major way. And we are here for it.
The 35cm has presence.
It is substantial enough to actually carry your life while still maintaining the unmistakable proportions of the original Birkin silhouette. On RAYE, the larger size feels particularly right. She isn't treating the bag like a delicate accessory. She's hugging it, piling charms onto it, carrying it against denim and, yes, biting the handles.
It feels personal rather than precious.
And that is exactly what makes a great Birkin sighting interesting.
Black Togo + Palladium Hardware Is an Hermès Classic
If you're building an Hermès handbag collection, Black Togo deserves serious consideration.
Togo leather is beloved among Birkin collectors for its recognizable grain and relatively relaxed character. On a larger Birkin, particularly a 35cm, the leather complements the silhouette beautifully.
Then there is the Palladium Hardware.
Against Black Togo, Palladium creates a crisp, cooler combination than Gold Hardware. The silver-toned hardware almost disappears into the overall look rather than competing with it, making this one of the easiest Birkin combinations to style.
Black Togo with Palladium Hardware doesn't need to scream for attention.
You simply know it's good.
But Look at Those Charms
The bag itself may be classic, but RAYE clearly wasn't interested in leaving it untouched.
Her Black Birkin is decorated with a collection of colorful charms hanging from the front of the bag, including bold red accents that immediately break up the otherwise monochromatic combination.
And we LOVE this.
Hermès bags become infinitely more interesting when they start reflecting the person carrying them. Twillies, charms and other additions can completely change the personality of an otherwise classic Birkin.
A pristine Black Birkin is beautiful.
A Black Birkin covered in things its owner actually loves? Even better.
The contrast also feels particularly appropriate for RAYE. The underlying bag is timeless and sophisticated, while the styling is playful, expressive and a little unexpected.
A Birkin Should Be Lived With
There is an entire culture surrounding keeping Hermès bags pristine. Protect the corners. Watch the handles. Don't put it on the floor. Be careful with rain. Don't overfill it.
And then there is RAYE.
Chomp.
We obviously don't recommend actually eating your Hermès collection, but there is something refreshing about seeing one of the world's most famous handbags treated like a beloved possession rather than a museum object.
The Birkin was conceived as a functional carryall, after all.
And a 35cm Birkin is arguably at its best when it actually looks like somebody owns it.
The charms, the casual outfit, the way she's clutching it to her body and the sheer ridiculousness of the photo make this feel less like a celebrity showing off an expensive handbag and more like someone who genuinely loves her bag.
We get it.
We would probably hug it too.
Maybe skip the biting.
Is the Birkin 35 Officially Back?
At Privé Porter, we've been watching larger Hermès bags return to the spotlight for some time, and celebrity sightings like this only make the case stronger.
There will always be demand for the Birkin 25, particularly among collectors who prefer smaller bags. But the return of the Birkin 30, Birkin 35 and larger Hermès silhouettes has brought practicality and attitude back into the handbag conversation.
And the Black Birkin 35 may be one of the easiest ways into the look.
It is big without becoming luggage. Classic without being boring. Luxurious without requiring an exotic skin or particularly unusual color.
RAYE's version is proof that the most recognizable Hermès combination can still have plenty of personality.
You just have to make it yours.
RAYE, You Can Sit With Us
We admittedly didn't need another reason to love RAYE.
But anyone willing to pose for 169,000+ Instagram likes while pretending to take a bite out of a charm-covered Black Birkin has our attention.
The music? Incredible.
The personality? We love her.
The 35cm Black Togo Birkin with Palladium Hardware?
Apparently delicious.
10/10. No notes. 🖤
Photo Credit
📸 Images via RAYE / @raye on Instagram
Contact Privé Porter
Looking for a 35cm Hermès Birkin, Black Togo Birkin, classic neutral Hermès bag or another difficult-to-find combination?
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