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Jo Min, 34, the daughter of Rebuilding Korea Party policy research institute head Jo Guk, has revealed that she owns an Hermès bag worth several million won — but has barely used it. She said the bag's steep price made her self-conscious about carrying it in public. The item in question is the Picotin, one of Hermès's signature small leather handbags.
Jo recently showcased her bag and accessory collection on her YouTube channel "Jjomin minchobae."
Pulling an iconic Hermès orange box from her wardrobe, she said, "This one is the most expensive. There's exactly one orange box."
Inside was an Hermès Picotin bag. The production crew remarked that it looked as though it had never been opened, and the bag showed almost no signs of use.
"I can't bring myself to carry expensive things," Jo said. "It's so pricey that I worry I'll look like I'm showing off if I take it out. So I've barely carried it at all."
She added that she had visited multiple stores to find the specific color she wanted, and that the bag cost just under 4 million won ($2,890) when she bought it.
Bought for around 4 million won — the Picotin Lock 18 now sells for 5.36 million won
The Picotin Lock 18 currently retails for 5.36 million won on Hermès Korea's official online store for select models. Versions in different materials or designs can cost even more — the Picotin Lock 18 Pocket Bag has been listed in the 6 million won range. Compared with the just-under-4-million-won price Jo paid, the official domestic price of the same base model has risen considerably.
True to its name, the Picotin Lock 18 is a compact handbag measuring about 18 centimeters across. The current Clémence calfskin model measures 18 centimeters wide, 19 centimeters tall and 13 centimeters deep. It is designed to be carried by hand rather than over the shoulder, and its defining features are a leather strap closure at the top and a small padlock charm.
Compared with other Hermès leather bags, the Picotin has a relatively simple construction — and a lower price point. The Lindy Mini currently listed on the domestic official online store is priced at 12.86 million won, and the Bolide 1923 25 at 11.88 million won, making the Picotin Lock 18 at 5.36 million won the more accessible option. Jo herself described the Picotin in the video as Hermès's "entry-level" piece.
Born from a horse's feed bag — and with no lining inside
The Picotin's distinctive rounded, drooping silhouette traces its origins to Hermès's equestrian heritage.
According to Hermès, the bag was inspired by the oat pouches used to feed horses. The name "Picotin" itself comes from an old French word for the measure of oats given to a horse. The official Hermès Group timeline records the Picotin bag as having debuted in 2002.
Its construction is similarly straightforward. The basic leather model has no interior lining, leaving the raw inner surface of the hide exposed, and the design plays up the central seam and the bag's naturally soft drape. The opening is cinched with a leather strap and secured with a small padlock.
The Clémence leather commonly used for the Picotin has a naturally grainy surface and a relatively supple feel, and it grows softer with use. Unlike structured bags with rigid corners, the Picotin's gently collapsing silhouette is part of the design itself.
As a result, the same Picotin can look quite different depending on the leather type, color and hardware. Jo's account of visiting multiple stores to track down a specific color suggests she placed considerable importance on that choice.
Too expensive to carry, so it sits in the wardrobe — but is storing a leather bag enough?
Many buyers of high-end leather bags leave them unused for long periods out of fear of scratches or stains. But natural leather is not a material that stays frozen in its original condition indefinitely.
Hermès itself describes leather as a material that changes color, softens and develops a natural patina over time — meaning the leather will continue to evolve even when the bag is not being used.
Storage conditions matter more than most owners realize. Hermès recommends protecting leather goods from moisture, prolonged light exposure and excessive heat. Extended exposure to strong sunlight can cause color changes, and overly humid environments can also affect the leather's condition.
Particularly for soft-leather bags like the Picotin, it is best to avoid placing heavy objects on top of the bag or storing it compressed in a tight space for extended periods. To prevent deformation, keep the bag away from others and store it somewhere well-ventilated.
Direct contact with perfume, cosmetics or hand sanitizer should also be avoided. Using an off-the-shelf leather cleaner to remove stains requires caution as well. Hermès notes that no single care product works across all of its leather types, and recommends professional cleaning and repair when necessary.
The instinct to keep an expensive bag pristine and untouched is understandable, but natural leather inherently changes with time. For those who want their investment to last, proper storage and care suited to the material matters far more than simply locking it away in a wardrobe.
rainbow@heraldcorp.com
