A well-worn black leather Birkin bag, once owned by style icon Jane Birkin, has become the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction, fetching €8.6 million ($10 million) at Sotheby’s. The hammer price was €7 million ($8.2 million), with fierce bidding driving the final price far beyond expectations.
A Piece of Fashion History
This 1984 Birkin was the first ever made by Hermès, designed specifically for the British-French actress and singer. Birkin used it daily from 1985 to 1994, long before the bag became a global status symbol. Unlike the pristine Birkins seen today, this one bears scuffs, scratches, and stains—proof of its authentic, well-loved history.
The auction, held online on July 11, 2024, also featured luxury fashion pieces from Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior, but the Birkin stole the show. After a 10-minute bidding war between nine collectors, a private Japanese buyer secured the historic bag.
Why Did It Break Records?
- Provenance: Owned and used by Jane Birkin herself, making it the original Birkin.
- Unique Features: Unlike later models, it has distinct hardware, a wider strap, and Birkin’s initials (“J.B.”) on the flap.
- Personal Touches: A pair of silver nail clippers dangle from the strap (Birkin kept them handy for frequent use).
- Humanitarian Connection: Stickers from Médecins du Monde and UNICEF remain on the bag, reflecting Birkin’s activism.
Sotheby’s had not set a pre-sale estimate, but bidding surpassed €1 million before the live auction even began. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags, called the sale “an important milestone” in fashion history, celebrating Birkin’s enduring legacy.
How It Compares to Other Luxury Handbags
The sale shattered previous records:
- 2022: A diamond-studded “Himalaya Birkin” sold for $450,000.
- 2021: A crocodile-skin Birkin went for $390,000.
- Previous record: A diamond-encrusted Kelly bag at $513,040 (2017).
From Practical Bag to Billion-Dollar Icon
Ironically, the Birkin was born out of necessity. In 1984, Hermès chairman Jean-Louis Dumas met Birkin on a Paris-London flight. She complained about lacking a spacious, functional bag—even accidentally spilling her wicker basket on him.
“Draw it for me,” Dumas said—so she sketched it on an airplane sick bag. Hermès delivered the first prototype in 1985, birthing a luxury phenomenon. Though Birkin received royalties, she donated them yearly to charity.
A Lasting Legacy
Before her death in 2023, Birkin joked to Christiane Amanpour:
“Bless me, when I’m dead… people will possibly only talk about the bag.”
She was right. The Birkin has outperformed gold and the S&P 500 as an investment, yet its original purpose was pure practicality.
Final Thought:
This sale isn’t just about a bag—it’s about the woman who inspired it, proving that true luxury lies in legacy, not just perfection.