Iconic Hermes Birkin Bag Once Belonging to Jane Birkin to be Auctioned at Sotheby's
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Jane Birkin's original Hermès Birkin bag, an icon of luxury and fashion, is set to hit the auction block at Sotheby's this summer. This unique piece, crafted for Birkin herself back in 1984, is expected to create a stir among fashion enthusiasts.
The bag, now a symbol of extravagance, traces its roots back to necessity. Birkin, renowned for her artistry, style, and political activism, found herself in need of a spacious daily-use bag. Her complaint about the lack of such bag to Jean-Louis Dumas, then the head of Hermès, sparked the creation of the Birkin bag.
Sotheby's Fashion Icons auction, scheduled from June 26 to July 10 in Paris, features the one-of-a-kind original. While they're not disclosing the bag's estimated value, interested parties can request an estimate. Sotheby's New York headquarters will be displaying the bag from June 6 to June 12 before it heads to the auction.
Birkin, who passed away in 2023 at 76, was a French icon. Known for her songs, films, and activism, she touched many lives. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to her on social media, stating, "Jane Birkin was the incarnation of freedom, and she sang the most beautiful words of our language."
The original Birkin bag, slightly different from the contemporary models, is a testament to fashion history. It has transformed into a pop culture sensation, epitomizing luxury in its most refined form. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, praises the bag, stating, "The Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind - a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon."
Hermès artistic director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, told "60 Minutes" in 2023 that the high cost of their leather goods, including the Birkin bag, is due to the company's uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship. He clarified that while the items may be costly to produce, they are not "expensive," as they consistently deliver on their promise of quality.
Interestingly, Hermès has never intentionally limited the production of Birkin bags, contrary to some beliefs. Instead, they claim that the limited supply is due to the rigorous training required to make the bag and the enduring demand for it. As Dumas put it, "Whatever we have, we put on the shelf, and it goes."
- Sotheby's
Megan CerulloMegan Cerullo, a New York-based reporter for our MoneyWatch, covers small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending, and personal finance topics. She frequently appears on our News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.
- Enrichment Insights:
- The original Hermès Birkin bag was last sold at a charity auction in 1994 for $2,000.[1][3]
- There is no record of the original Birkin bag selling at Sotheby's in 2023.[1][4]
- The one-of-a-kind original Hermès Birkin bag, a symbol of luxury and fashion, will be auctioned at Sotheby's under the category of Fashion Icons.
- Megan Cerullo, a reporter for MoneyWatch, covers various topics including business, health, and personal finance, and frequently appears on News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.
- The price estimate for the original Birkin bag at Sotheby's is yet to be disclosed, but interested parties can request an estimate.
- Sotheby's New York headquarters will display the original Birkin bag from June 6 to June 12 before it is auctioned, making it a must-see for fashion and celebrity news enthusiasts.
- The high cost of Hermès leather goods, including the Birkin bag, is not due to intentional production limits but rather the company's commitment to quality and craftsmanship, as stated by Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the artistic director of Hermès.
