Bijan vs. Hermès: Which brand is better? [2026]

Bijan offers bold, Hollywood-style glamour through its exclusive fragrances and flamboyant accessories, catering to a clientele that values overt luxury and uniqueness. In contrast, Hermès is the worldwide standard for understated elegance and timeless craftsmanship, famous for its investment-grade leather goods and classic designs that prioritize quality over trends.

Let's compare these two titans of luxury to help you decide which brand best aligns with your style and priorities.

Bijan: The Epitome of Hollywood Glamour

Founded by the legendary Bijan Pakzad in the 1970s, Bijan is a brand synonymous with exclusivity and opulent, statement-making style. Best known for its ultra-luxurious fragrances and custom-designed accessories, Bijan caters to high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, and collectors who desire one-of-a-kind pieces that command attention. The brand’s essence is theatrical, bold, and unapologetically lavish.

• Product mix: The core of the brand lies in high-end fragrances, alongside bespoke fashion pieces, limited-edition apparel, and custom accessories like watches and ties.
• Price point: Fragrances typically start around $300, while bespoke accessories and apparel can easily reach into the thousands or tens of thousands.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Flamboyant, theatrical, and glamorous. Expect vibrant colors, intricate details, and designs that are meant to be seen and celebrated.
• Target Customer: A wealthy individual who wants their luxury to be instantly recognizable. Bijan attracts those who embrace bold fashion and value the story and exclusivity behind a piece.
• Shopping Experience: Extremely exclusive and private. A legendary Beverly Hills boutique that operated “by appointment only” set the standard. Today, products are available through select luxury channels and private showings.

Bijan is for the luxury buyer who views fashion as performance art, prioritizing bold statements and rarity above all else.

Shop Bijan: bijan.com

Hermès: The Standard for Timeless Craftsmanship

Established in 1837 as a Parisian harness workshop, Hermès has evolved into a global symbol of refined taste and exceptional quality. The French luxury house is celebrated for its leather goods - most notably the iconic Birkin and Kelly bags - as well as its silk scarves, ready-to-wear fashion, and jewelry. Hermès represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship, appealing to discerning customers who value longevity and quiet luxury.

• Product mix: An extensive range including leather handbags, small leather goods, silk scarves, neckties, ready-to-wear clothing, watches, jewelry, home goods, and fragrances.
• Price point: While fragrances can be found from $80 to $250, the brand’s core products are significantly more expensive. Silk scarves are typically $400+, while iconic handbags often start around $10,000 and can reach six figures.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Classic, understated, and timeless. The designs transcend runway trends, focusing instead on clean lines, exquisite materials, and versatile elegance.
• Quality &, Materials: Unmatched in the industry. Hermès uses the finest leathers and silks, and its artisans undergo extensive training to execute every stitch by hand with painstaking precision.
• Target Customer: The sophisticated, affluent consumer who appreciates heritage, superior quality, and discreet luxury. They see their purchases as lifelong investments.

Hermès serves clients who seek timeless pieces that function as both accessories and heirlooms, representing the highest standards of artisanal quality.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Bijan vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

While both brands operate in the highest tier of luxury, their pricing structures cater to different product focuses. Bijan's fragrances start around $300, making them an accessible entry into the brand's ultra-exclusive world. Its custom accessories and apparel, however, are priced well into the thousands, reflecting their bespoke nature.

Hermès offers a broader range of price points. Its fragrances and small accessories are luxury starting points, but the brand is defined by its handbags, which are serious financial investments. A Birkin or Kelly bag starts around $10,000 and can easily exceed $100,000 on the secondary market for rare editions. From a value perspective, Bijan offers bold exclusivity, while Hermès offers long-term, tangible investment value, as its iconic bags often appreciate over time.

Quality & Materials

Hermès has built its reputation on exceptional craftsmanship and is widely considered the industry benchmark for quality. Each leather good is handcrafted by a single artisan, often taking dozens of hours to complete. The materials - from Barenia Faubourg leather to pure silk twill - are the finest available, ensuring products are durable enough to be passed down through generations.

Bijan also uses high-quality materials, particularly in its fragrances that feature rich, opulent notes and its intricately detailed accessories. However, as a more niche, design-focused house, its reputation is centered more on aesthetic and exclusivity rather than the standardized, generational durability that defines Hermès's entire product line.

Style & Aesthetic

This is the most significant point of difference. Bijan’s style is flamboyant and theatrical. It is designed to be noticed, featuring bold colors, lavish materials, and a sense of drama that channels classic Hollywood excess. It caters to an assertive style identity where luxury is an outward expression.

Hermès, conversely, champions understated elegance. Its design philosophy is rooted in timelessness and versatility. The brand avoids loud logos and fleeting trends, focusing on classic silhouettes and impeccable construction. It is the definition of "quiet luxury," appealing to those who prefer their status to be recognized by fellow connoisseurs, not the general public.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Bijan has historically been an experience of ultimate exclusivity, famously epitomized by its "by appointment only" Rodeo Drive showroom. This model ensures privacy and a highly personalized encounter, making the acquisition of a piece part of its allure. Availability remains limited to select high-end channels today.

Hermès offers a more accessible footprint with luxurious boutiques in major cities worldwide and a comprehensive online store. While anyone can walk into a store, acquiring its most coveted items (like a Birkin) often requires establishing a relationship with a sales associate and a purchase history. The experience is welcoming yet retains a clear hierarchy of access.

Sustainability & Ethics

Hermès has made dedicated efforts toward transparency in its supply chain, emphasizing responsible sourcing of materials and supporting artisanal craftsmanship. The brand invests in eco-friendly practices and is committed to maintaining its products through an extensive repair service, promoting longevity over disposability.

Information on Bijan’s sustainability practices is less public, which is common for smaller, privately held luxury houses. The brand's focus on bespoke and limited-production items inherently avoids the pitfalls of mass production but without the public-facing commitments seen from larger corporations like Hermès.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand depends entirely on your personal definition of luxury and what you want your purchases to say about you.

Choose Bijan if:

• Your personal style is bold, flamboyant, and designed to make a statement.
• You are looking for an opulent, unique fragrance that stands out.
• Exclusivity is a key motivator, and you enjoy owning items that very few others have.
• You appreciate the glamour and heritage of old Hollywood luxury.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are making a long-term investment and want a piece that holds or increases its value.
• You prefer timeless, understated elegance that never goes out of style.
• Tangible quality and meticulous craftsmanship are your highest priorities.
• You want to build a collection of versatile, classic luxury goods that function as heirlooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bijan or Hermès more expensive?

It depends on the item. Hermès is generally more expensive at the top end due to its handbags, which start at $10,000 and can cost hundreds of thousands. However, Bijan's fragrances (starting at $300) are more expensive than Hermès' fragrances (starting around $80). A bespoke Bijan suit or accessory can also be extremely expensive, rivaling the cost of some Hermès items.

Which brand is more exclusive?

Bijan is more exclusive due to a highly limited production and a private, appointment-focused shopping model. While securing an Hermès Birkin is famously difficult, the brand has a global retail presence and a much wider product range that is more accessible.

What is Bijan best known for?

Bijan is best known for its opulent and distinctive fragrances, particularly the well-known and original Bijan for Men in the doughnut-shaped bottle, as well as its flamboyant, bespoke menswear and accessories.

What is Hermès best known for?

Hermès is world-famous for its handcrafted leather goods, especially the Birkin and Kelly handbags. Its signature orange branding and patterned silk scarves are also globally recognized symbols of the brand.

Which brand has better quality?

Hermès is widely considered to have the most consistent and superior craftsmanship in the luxury industry. Its artisans train for years, and every product is made to last for generations. While Bijan products are high-quality, Hermès' entire brand identity is built on its unparalleled standards of quality.

Is Hermès a good investment?

Yes, certain Hermès items, particularly the handcrafted Birkin and Kelly bags, are considered strong investments. Due to their limited supply and high demand, they often retain and even increase their value on the resale market over time.

Where can I buy Bijan products?

Bijan products are sold through a very limited number of select luxury retailers, private appointments, and occasionally at high-end auction houses. Their distribution network is intentionally small to maintain an aura of extreme exclusivity.

Is Bijan only for men?

While Bijan built its reputation on menswear and men's fragrances and is strongly associated with a masculine aesthetic, it has also offered women's fragrances and bespoke items for women, catering to its elite clientele regardless of gender.