The very first Hermès Birkin bag, designed in 1984 for Jane Birkin, has shattered auction records in Paris. A true icon of luxury, the one-of-a-kind piece sold for over €8.6 million, redefining the value of fashion history.
The first-ever Hermès Birkin bag, custom-made for Jane Birkin in 1984, was sold at auction in Paris on Thursday for €8.582 million, including fees, according to Sotheby’s.
This oversized black leather tote was the original prototype of what would become one of the most iconic and expensive handbags in the world.
Until now, the most expensive Hermès bag ever auctioned was a diamond-studded crocodile Kelly bag, finished with white gold, which sold for over $513,000 (€438,000), according to Sotheby’s.
This “historic handmade prototype,” engraved with Jane Birkin’s initials “J.B.,” features several unique details that make it truly one-of-a-kind: an unusual size, closed metal rings, a non-detachable shoulder strap, and even a built-in nail clipper. Faint sticker residue is still visible on its well-worn leather.
Jane Birkin, a style icon known for her effortless chic, always favored function over flash. On a flight from Paris to London in 1984, the late British singer and actress — who passed away in 2023 — lamented to her seatmate that she couldn’t find a bag that fit the needs of a young mother.
That seatmate happened to be Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermès. Inspired by her complaint, he created a practical yet stylish carryall with room for baby bottles. The result: the Birkin bag was born.
Forty years later, the leather handbag has become the signature product of the French luxury house. Produced in extremely limited quantities, the Birkin has maintained an aura of exclusivity, with prices ranging from a few thousand euros for basic versions to several hundred thousand for ultra-luxury models.
In addition to the Birkin, Sotheby’s “Fashion Icons” sale also featured runway pieces by legendary designers such as Christian Dior, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler, and Alexander McQueen.
With AFP
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