There is a Hermès sandal that has a longer waiting list than a Birkin bag. So much so, that some boutiques limit the purchase to one pair per customer. In some cases, customers who want to try on a pair have to enter private fitting rooms to avoid panic among customers inside the store. As is the case with handbags, these sandals have had a boom in demand that production is unable to satisfy. They are inspired by the Oran model designed by Pierre Hardy in 1997.
A sandal by Hermès
The new interpretation of the classic Oran model is called Chypre (pronounced “shee-prre”). It looks quite similar to its predecessor, but shows two major differences, as the website Bopf explains. It has a second adjustable Velcro strap that allows a better fit. While the other big difference is the sole. It is more contemporary and therefore has more volume. The footbed is curved and is more comfortable. The company describes them as “technical sandals in kid suede with essential lines on an anatomical rubber sole and adjustable strap. Made in Italy”.
A kilometre-long waiting list
These sandals have ended up on the feet of VIPs and influencers: and there has been a boom in demand. For some versions, the waiting list is longer than that for a Birkin bag. Obviously, the price of a pair of Chypre (from €635 to €880 on the brand’s Italian website) is considerably lower than that of a Birkin. Production fails to meet the number of requests, thus increasing the strategy of rarity and exclusivity, so dear to the maison. One of the best-selling models is the one that features shearling both inside and outside the shoe.
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