The very first Hermès Birkin bag, famously sketched on an air sickness bag for its namesake, the late Jane Birkin, sold for a record-breaking 7 million euros (approximately $8.2 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris. The staggering final price, which drew gasps from the audience, obliterated the previous record for a handbag, which stood at $513,040.
The iconic accessory was born from a chance encounter in the 1980s between the singer and actor Jane Birkin and Hermès’ then-chairman, Jean-Louis Dumas, on a flight to London. After spilling the contents of her signature wicker basket, Birkin lamented the lack of elegant, large leather bags suitable for a young mother. She proceeded to sketch her ideal hold-all on an airplane sickness bag, and Dumas, intrigued, commissioned a prototype for her.
Delivered to Birkin in 1985, this one-of-a-kind black leather bag features her initials, J.B., on the front flap. The prototype stands apart from the millions of commercial versions that followed, which became some of the world’s most exclusive and sought-after luxury items. Seven unique design elements distinguish the original, including a nonremovable shoulder strap suited to the practical needs of the busy mother, singer, and activist. It also features a nail clipper attachment, gilded brass hardware, and other details that differ from the standardized models later sold to the public.
Flattered by the creation, Birkin allowed Hermès to commercialize the design in her name. She used the original prototype for nearly a decade before auctioning it for an AIDS charity in 1994. The bag was sold again in 2000 and remained in a private collection until this historic sale.
“There is no doubt that the Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind—a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon,” said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s Global Head of Handbags and Fashion. The bag’s fame became so intertwined with its muse that Birkin, who passed away in 2023, once mused that her obituary would likely mention her “like the bag.”
The bidding for the historic piece began at 1 million euros before escalating rapidly, cementing the Birkin’s status not just as a practical accessory but as a timeless cultural icon and a staple of luxury fashion.
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