The original Hermès Birkin bag, once carried by the late actress and singer Jane Birkin, has been auctioned off in Paris for over $10 million (£7.9 million), making it the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction, according to Sotheby’s.
The bag fetched a staggering $10.1 million following more than ten minutes of “heated bidding,” the auction house announced on Thursday via social media. The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed.
Before the auction, the one-of-a-kind leather handbag was owned by a private collector. It was briefly exhibited in New York City before going under the hammer in Paris as part of Sotheby’s Fashion Icons sale.
The creation of the Birkin bag dates back to 1984, when Jane Birkin, then a young mother, happened upon Hermès executive Jean-Louis Dumas during an Air France flight. Birkin mentioned her struggle to find a handbag spacious enough for her daily essentials. Dumas responded by sketching a design mid-flight, reportedly including a compartment for baby bottles, and thus, the legendary Birkin was born.
“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 that signals luxury in the most refined way possible,” said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s Global Head of Handbags and Fashion.
Hermès Birkin evolution
Since its inception, the Hermès Birkin has evolved into one of the most coveted accessories in the world, available in an array of colours, sizes, and materials. Sotheby’s currently lists various Birkin bags priced between $5,000 and $220,000.
According to Hermès artistic director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, who spoke to 60 Minutes in December, only a select few craftspeople are trained to make the bags, keeping supply intentionally limited.
“Whatever we have, we put on the shelf and it goes,” Dumas remarked.
This latest sale not only cements the Birkin’s place in fashion history but also underscores the enduring legacy of Jane Birkin, whose namesake bag continues to symbolise timeless elegance and exclusivity.
