Original Birkin Bag Fetches Record-Breaking £7M at Auction

The original Birkin bag, created in 1985 for singer Jane Birkin, has sold for €8.6 million (£7.4 million; $10.1 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, breaking the previous record for a handbag sold at auction and highlighting its status as a fashion icon.

The original Birkin bag, which set the benchmark for one of the most sought-after accessories in the fashion industry, has achieved a monumental sale price of €8.6 million (£7.4 million; $10.1 million), making it the highest-selling handbag ever at auction. This legendary black leather bag was crafted for renowned singer and actress Jane Birkin in 1985 after she expressed a need for a larger bag during a flight next to a Hermes executive, prompting him to sketch its design on an airplane sick bag.

At Sotheby’s in Paris on Thursday, the prototype drew intense interest, culminating in a fierce 10-minute bidding battle among nine passionate collectors, eventually selling to a private individual from Japan. The auction house characterized the atmosphere as “electrifying,” reflecting the unique allure and historical significance of the piece.

Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, remarked that the sale was a striking testament to the "power of a legend," indicating that collectors are eager to possess exceptional items that carry a rich story and unique provenance. She noted that the Birkin prototype signifies the beginning of an extraordinary journey that has led to the Birkin bag becoming an emblem of luxury and status.

The total amount of €8,582,500 includes commissions and fees, with Sotheby’s refraining from providing a pre-auction estimate for the item.

After Hermès designed the bag for Birkin, it entered commercial production and has since become synonymous with exclusivity within the fashion realm. Modern-day versions often sell for tens of thousands of dollars, accompanied by lengthy waiting lists, with high-profile owners such as Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, and Victoria Beckham donning the coveted accessory.

This original bag possesses several distinctive features, including Birkin's initials embossed on the front, a non-removable shoulder strap, and even nail clippers she attached to it, symbolizing her personal connection to the item. Notably, after a decade of ownership, Birkin donated the bag to an auction in 1994 to benefit an AIDS charity, paving the way for its subsequent sale to Catherine Benier, a luxury boutique owner in Paris, who held it for 25 years before recently selling it.

The record for the most expensive handbag sold at auction was previously held by the White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28, which sold in 2021.