president of hermes, bob chavez, says that equestrian heritage is still very much a part of the company. >> we always love to say a horse was our very first client. every last element of it is taken into consideration. all for the comfort of not just the rider, but also the horse, which is very important. >> reporter: whether it's a saddle or a purse, the merchandise can be more than a status symbol. >> people like to make smart investments in the stock market. people like to make smart investments in their home. and i think people like to make smart investments in the products that they are going to purchase and keep for quite a while. >> reporter: that may explain why customers sometimes remain on a waiting list for years to have the privilege of buying an iconic birkin bag. they range in price from about $6,000 to $150,000. strong demand is reflected in 25% revenue growth last year. profits surged 44%. the stock, which is majority owned by the hermes family, has gained about 60% in the past year. at first it may seem strange that luxury retailers like hermes are doing well at time wh