In 1985, Jane Birkin, the renowned singer and actress, inadvertently inspired the creation of the original Birkin bag during a flight when she spilled her belongings next to the Hermès CEO. Her request for a larger handbag led to a design sketched on an airplane sick bag, which ultimately became the coveted Birkin model. Sold to a private collector from Japan during a thrilling 10-minute bidding war involving nine collectors, this sale has eclipsed the previous handbag auction record of €439,000 (£378,000; $513,000). Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags, described the resulting price as "a startling demonstration of the power of a legend," highlighting the bag's storied provenance.
Birkin carried the bag for ten years and later donated it to charity before it was purchased by Catherine Benier, a luxury boutique owner in Paris, who sold it at the auction after 25 years. The original Birkin bag is distinguished by Birkin's initials, a unique shoulder strap, and mementos reflecting her charitable values. Today, the Birkin bag remains a lavish luxury item, owned by various celebrities, with many styles commanding tens of thousands of dollars and multi-year waiting lists. Birkin, who passed away in 2023, leaves behind a remarkable legacy intertwined with one of fashion's most iconic products.
Birkin carried the bag for ten years and later donated it to charity before it was purchased by Catherine Benier, a luxury boutique owner in Paris, who sold it at the auction after 25 years. The original Birkin bag is distinguished by Birkin's initials, a unique shoulder strap, and mementos reflecting her charitable values. Today, the Birkin bag remains a lavish luxury item, owned by various celebrities, with many styles commanding tens of thousands of dollars and multi-year waiting lists. Birkin, who passed away in 2023, leaves behind a remarkable legacy intertwined with one of fashion's most iconic products.
