Jane Birkin’s Original Hermès Bag Sells for a Jaw-Dropping $10.1 Million at Auction
Jane Birkin's original Birkin bag has found a new owner.
The black leather Hermès purse—designed by the French label's former chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas in the early '80s during a chance meeting with the late actress—was sold for $10.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris July 10.
Nine collectors across the globe competed in a 10-minute bidding war through phone, online and in-person, according to the auction house. An unidentified buyer from Japan offered up $7.2 million, then $7.6 million, then $7.9 million before landing the winning bid.
As the story goes, the bag was created after Dumas noticed how Birkin was carrying her belongings in a wicker basket during a Paris-to-London flight. As the two started chatting, Birkin shared her frustrations in how handbags at the time were too small to carry all of her belongings.
Hermès created a prototype to fit Birkin's needs. Though she was eventually gifted four other pieces, the Death on the Nile star continued to carry her original bag for a decade before parting ways with it in 1994. (Birkin passed away in 2023 at age 76.)
In fact, the prototype still has traces of Birkin—known to wear out her bags rather than keep them in pristine condition—all over it, according to Sotheby's. Not only does it bear a stamp of her initials "J.B." on the front, but Birkin's nail clippers still hang on one of the straps today.
Plus, the purse features design elements that are no longer used for other Hermès Birkin bags, including a non-removable shoulder strap, gilded brass hardware and smaller bottom studs. The size of the purse is also one-of-a-kind, with a height and width of the conventional Birkin 35 but the depth of a Birkin 40.
Birkin auctioned off the bag in 1994 for charity. It was sold again in 2000 to a collector identified as Christine B.
"I’ve loved being the owner of the Birkin bag for 25 years now—it’s been a way of reminding myself and others of my commitment to helping make the Birkin the most famous bag in the world," Christine told Sotheby's. "Ultimately its sale is not the end of the bag’s story, rather the beginning of a new set of wonderful adventures."
To see celebrities with their own Birkin bags, keep reading...
Celebrities, much like the rest of us, have long had a love affair with the coveted Hermes Birkin bag. The ultimate status symbol in fashion, Birkins go with everything from casual outfits to formal ensembles. Here, stylish socialite Olivia Palermo flaunts her 35cm Birkin on the streets of New York, the perfect finishing touch to her cozy chic look.
Birkin bag devotees are known to collect the carryalls in a beautiful array of colors and this reality star is no exception. Here, Kourtney brightens her white maternity dress with a show-stopping orange Birkin with gold hardware.
The OG Birkin holder with one of her namesake bags while visiting Tokyo, Japan.
Behold the power of the Birkin! J.Lo's sweat suit and sneakers are suddenly chic when paired with a glossy red crocodile Birkin during an outing in London.
This Birkin bag lady owns quite a few colors including yellow, olive, white and black. Here, she flaunts a black crocodile version with palladium hardware and pairs it with a peplum leather top.
The Hart of Dixie star, known for her on-trend ensembles, elevates her casual tank and jeans with a 35cm black Birkin.
The former Desperate Housewives star was spotted at LAX airport with a 35cm bag in Abysse blue.
Khloe accessorized with a bright yellow Birkin bag at a NIVEA event in 2011.
The stylish actress holds her black Birkin with pride as she poses with Jennifer Aniston and January Jones at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund event in Los Angeles.
Generic diaper bags just won't do for this stylish mom! The star's then-fiancé, Jay Cutler, surprised his baby mama with a 40cm Birkin in Etain (that's gray for those of you who don't speak Birkin), which she joyfully toted on the streets of Los Angeles.
The actress owns a bright fuschia ostrich Birkin. She pairs this luxury item with a maxi dress and sunglasses for a casual look with a touch of glamour.
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……SE Asia Fashion Entertainment International
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