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Jane Birkin’s Original Hermès Bag Goes on Sale
- Jane Birkin's original black leather Birkin bag, created in 1984 after a chance meeting with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight, will be auctioned this summer by Sotheby's in Paris.
- The bag originated when Birkin explained her need for a large, practical bag while seated next to Dumas, who sketched the prototype on an airplane sick bag.
- This unique saddle-stitched bag, which differs in several ways from later versions, has been exhibited at MoMA, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and will be displayed in New York from June 6 to 12 before the Paris auction.
- Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s head of handbags and fashion, described the bag as a unique piece that epitomizes luxury in its most elegant form, while Sotheby’s chose not to reveal the anticipated sale price.
- The auction highlights the bag's cultural legacy and continuing demand for Birkin bags, which Sotheby's regularly sells secondhand for $5,000 to $220,000, reflecting its status as a luxury icon.
75 Articles
75 Articles
First ever Birkin bag heads to auction at Sotheby's
The first-ever Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin is set to be sold at auction in Paris, with the piece of modern fashion history likely to spark a bidding frenzy. The Birkin has become a modern design icon that is so exclusive that Hermes only offers it to loyal clients, with prices starting at around $10,000. Auction house Sotheby's, which is handling the sale of the Birkin prototype in Paris on …
The model ordered by actress Jane Birkin in 1984 goes to the leion by Sotheby's in July. The estimated value was not made public, but it is believed to be worth as much as a shirt from Princess Diana.
Legend has it that the prototype was sketched out in 1984, during a joint flight between Jane Birkin and the CEO of Hermès. The bag is expected to fetch a record price, with the auction set for July 10.
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