Influencer Janice Joostema shared the distressing moment her new Birkin bag was stolen while trying on clothes in a VIP changing room at a luxury London store. The theft, captured on CCTV, shows a thief in a white coat watching for an opportunity before sneaking in and taking the bag worth over £10,000. Joostema, who was unaware, turned to change and was left stunned as the thief made her escape. This incident highlights a rising trend of luxury handbag thefts in the city, prompting Joostema to warn others about the brazen criminals targeting unsuspecting shoppers.
Social media influencer and model Janice Joostema, who boasts 1.2 million Instagram followers, recently revealed the distressing theft of her brand-new Hermès Birkin bag while trying on clothes at a luxury boutique on Oxford Street, London.
Captured by CCTV footage, the incident occurred in the VIP changing room of Manière De Voir. A thief, wearing a long white coat, is seen prowling the store before entering the changing room where Ms. Joostema was trying on a top. Exploiting her distraction, the thief brazenly snatched the coveted bag and fled the premises.
A Targeted Theft
Ms. Joostema, visibly shaken in the video, described the experience as “gut-wrenching.” She noted that the thief likely saw her exposed while she was facing away from the door. The thief briefly stepped into the room, confirmed her opportunity, and returned to grab the Birkin bag before making a hasty escape. The stolen bag, a rare red Hermès JPG Shoulder Birkin valued at over £10,000, had been purchased just a week prior.
In addition to the bag, the thief took Ms. Joostema’s passport, derailing her planned trip to Switzerland. The influencer expressed her devastation, saying, “To work so hard for something and have it snatched away like this is heartbreaking. It’s not just about the bag—it’s about the ethics and principles behind valuing hard work and money.”
Designer Theft Surge
This incident adds to a concerning trend of luxury thefts targeting designer handbags in London. Two recent high-profile cases have left the luxury market on edge. On December 3, thieves broke into a North London showroom owned by consignment retailer Evey Amery, stealing pre-owned Chanel, Hermès, and Dior handbags worth thousands of pounds in just four minutes.
Less than three weeks earlier, a separate heist at Sellier, a luxury consignment shop in Belgravia, resulted in £500,000 worth of merchandise being stolen. Both robberies involved masked men who used tools like crowbars to force entry and swiftly fill duffel bags with designer goods.
A Call for Awareness
Ms. Joostema has issued a warning to Londoners, urging them to remain vigilant while shopping. “Thieves are entering dressing rooms while you’re distracted, taking advantage of your vulnerability,” she wrote in her Instagram post, sharing footage of the theft to raise awareness.
The influencer has also called on the public to help identify the thief, expressing her gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received. Despite the incident, Ms. Joostema remains hopeful but admitted, “This has shaken my faith in humanity.”
Heightened Precautions
Retailers in the luxury sector are now taking extra precautions as the holiday season approaches. The growing black market for high-end goods has made designer handbags a prime target for thieves, with Hermès pieces like the Birkin bag often fetching significant resale value.
Authorities, including the Metropolitan Police, are investigating these thefts. While there is no confirmation linking the incidents, the wave of designer robberies underscores the vulnerabilities faced by both consumers and retailers in the luxury goods market.
