Hermès' authentic bag once owned by Jane Birkin hits the marketplace for sale.
Ready to behold the legendary Hermès Birkin bag? This iconic piece, which kickstarted a global obsession, will be auctioned off at Sotheby's Paris next month. The coveted handbag, inspired by the late actress and singer Jane Birkin, will lead the "Fashion Icons" sale on July 10, 2025.
Dubbed "The Original Birkin," this sleek, all-black leather bag is a testament to timeless luxury. Its creation was sparked by a serendipitous encounter on a plane between Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then-CEO of Hermès, back in 1984. Birkin, wanting a bag half the size of her suitcase, sketched her idea on a sick bag during the flight.
Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, calls it a moment that transcends fashion trends and becomes a legend. Halimi compares it to other exceptional items with similarly dazzling provenance, such as Princess Diana's black sheep sweater and Freddie Mercury's crown and cloak, hinting at its potential to redefine records. Unfortunately, Sotheby's hasn't revealed an estimated selling price for this one-of-a-kind bag yet.
Birkin herself recognized the bag's pop cultural impact. In an interview with CNN in 2020, she jokingly admitted that the bag might overshadow her movie career and hit song "Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus."
The original Birkin differs from subsequent versions in several ways. Its size, metal rings, brass hardware, shoulder strap, zip, and bottom studs set it apart from other Birkins. The bag, branded with Birkin's initials - "J.B" - on the front flap, also comes with a pair of nail clippers hanging from the shoulder strap.
This extraordinary piece will go on display at Sotheby's New York galleries from June 6 to 12. Thousands flocked to see it during its previous public exhibitions in Sotheby's Paris Galleries last autumn and at Sotheby's Maison in Hong Kong earlier this year. Due to its cultural and historical significance, experts predict it will sell for far beyond typical Birkin bag prices.
Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts and celebrities alike will undoubtedly be captivated by the long-anticipated auction of the original Hermès Birkin bag, as it is set to redefine pop-culture and entertainment industry headlines when it leads the "Fashion Icons" sale at Sotheby's Paris on July 10, 2025. Its impressive provenance, boasting a lineage that includes iconic figures like Jane Birkin and Princess Diana, positions it as a legendary artifact within the sphere of lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty trends.
