The original Birkin bag has achieved a record-breaking auction price of €8.6 million (£7.4 million; $10.1 million), as it was sold at Sotheby's in Paris, becoming the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction. This iconic black leather bag was originally crafted for the renowned singer and actress Jane Birkin in 1985, following a chance encounter on a flight, where she inspired its design while speaking with the head of the luxury brand Hermès.
The unique appeal of this bag was highlighted in a thrilling 10-minute bidding battle that attracted nine passionate collectors, demonstrating the enduring allure of the Birkin brand. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags, emphasized how this sale exemplifies the profound impact of legendary fashion items and the intense passion they instill in collectors seeking pieces of notable history and provenance.
Originally introduced as a solution to a practical dilemma, the Birkin bag has since evolved into an exclusive status symbol within the fashion industry, with some examples fetching tens of thousands of dollars and lengthy waiting lists. The bag's final sold version, which features Birkin's initials on the front, a non-removable shoulder strap, and unique wear marks from her personal use, connects deeply to its past owner’s legacy and her charitable endeavors.
Prior to the auction, the esteemed handbag had been owned by Catherine Benier for 25 years, who acquired it from Birkin after the musician donated it in support of Aids charity efforts in 1994. The sale not only surpasses the previous handbag auction record of a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28 but also solidifies the iconic status of the Birkin bag in contemporary fashion history. Following the death of Jane Birkin in 2023 at 76, this sale stands as a lasting tribute to her impact on style and culture.
The unique appeal of this bag was highlighted in a thrilling 10-minute bidding battle that attracted nine passionate collectors, demonstrating the enduring allure of the Birkin brand. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags, emphasized how this sale exemplifies the profound impact of legendary fashion items and the intense passion they instill in collectors seeking pieces of notable history and provenance.
Originally introduced as a solution to a practical dilemma, the Birkin bag has since evolved into an exclusive status symbol within the fashion industry, with some examples fetching tens of thousands of dollars and lengthy waiting lists. The bag's final sold version, which features Birkin's initials on the front, a non-removable shoulder strap, and unique wear marks from her personal use, connects deeply to its past owner’s legacy and her charitable endeavors.
Prior to the auction, the esteemed handbag had been owned by Catherine Benier for 25 years, who acquired it from Birkin after the musician donated it in support of Aids charity efforts in 1994. The sale not only surpasses the previous handbag auction record of a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28 but also solidifies the iconic status of the Birkin bag in contemporary fashion history. Following the death of Jane Birkin in 2023 at 76, this sale stands as a lasting tribute to her impact on style and culture.
