Jane Birkin's Original Birkin Bag To Auction Off: A Fashion History Icon
Iconic Handbag Belonging to Jane Birkin to be Sold at Auction
Get ready to gaze upon a piece of fashion history, folks! The original Hermès Birkin Bag, born from the mind of the legendary Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned off on July 10 at Sotheby's Paris during Paris Fashion Week. Wanna catch a glimpse of this iconic accessory before it's gone? Sotheby's in New York will showcase it from June 6 to 12, with free, public exhibition access.
The fairytale of the bag starts with a casual chat between Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight. Birkin shared her desire for a practical bag half the size of her suitcase, and after sketching her idea on a vomit bag mid-flight, the prototype of the Birkin Bag was born.
This prototype bag is unlike any other Birkin Bag in seven significant ways, including size, metal rings, brass fittings, shoulder strap, zipper, and bottom studs. Its unique features give it a special charm and make it a one-of-a-kind legendary piece. Take, for example, the "J.B." initials on the front flap and the nail clipper attached to the shoulder strap.
"This piece transcends any trend and becomes a legend," says Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's in charge of handbags and fashion. With its potential to "break records," the bag might even outshine iconic auction pieces like Princess Diana's famous "sheep" sweater or Queen's Freddie Mercury's costume crown, paving the way as the most valuable Birkin ever sold.
So, fashion aficionados and collectors mark your calendars for July 10! This is one fantastic piece you won't want to miss.
- Auction
- Paris
- New York
enrichment dataThe original Hermès Birkin bag, crafted for Jane Birkin in 1984-85, is expected to shatter previous records for the Birkin bag. The current record stands at over USD$450,000, set by the Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30 in 2022 at Sotheby’s. The Jane Birkin original features unique custom elements, such as its unique size, hardware, and the non-removable shoulder strap. Additionally, the bag has a signed charity auction certificate from Jane Birkin herself. Due to its special provenance and rarity, the bag is anticipated to become the most expensive Birkin ever sold. [Source: 1, 2, 4]
I'm not going to be able to do this - purchasing the original Hermès Birkin Bag, as its auction price might break existing records, potentially surpassing USD$450,000, making it the most expensive Birkin ever sold.
Investing in fashion, the auction of the original Jane Birkin Birkin Bag in Paris on July 10th could prove to be a lucrative decision for its buyer, given its special provenance and rarity.
This auction adds an exciting twist to both fashion-and-beauty collectors' lifestyles and the finance world, as the iconic piece could potentially revolutionize the market for high-end handbags.
