The original Birkin bag, created by Hermès for the iconic actress and singer Jane Birkin, has set a new record as the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction. The black leather accessory fetched a staggering €7 million (approximately $8.2 million) at a Paris auction on Thursday, October 5, 2023. When auction fees are included, the total cost for the anonymous buyer reaches an impressive $10 million.
The Birkin bag, which has visible signs of wear from its previous use, was originally designed for Birkin about 40 years ago, following a memorable encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas, then-head of Hermès, during a flight to London. According to popular legend, Birkin voiced her frustration about the lack of spacious handbags while on the flight, leading her to sketch a design on an airplane vomit bag. Dumas took her idea and brought it to life, resulting in the launch of the Birkin line in 1984.
The Legacy of a Fashion Icon
Before her passing in July 2023 at the age of 76, Jane Birkin remarked that her legacy would be inextricably tied to the bag that bears her name. In a candid reflection, she noted that obituaries might describe her as “like the bag,” adding with a touch of humor, “Well, it could be worse.”
Her influence on fashion remains profound, and the Birkin bag has become a symbol of luxury and prestige. Author Marisa Meltzer, who recently published a biography titled It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin, stated in a promotional video for the auction, “This is the bag. Mother of all ‘it’ bags, really.”
The bag has changed hands multiple times over the years, including a donation made by Birkin in 1994 to benefit a French charity for AIDS. It was later sold to Parisian collector Catherine Benier in 2000 for an undisclosed amount.
A Symbol of Exclusivity and Wealth
In the current market, Birkin bags command prices that range from tens of thousands to even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their exclusivity is heightened by a notoriously selective purchasing process. Potential buyers often navigate a challenging path, which can include cultivating relationships with Hermès boutique staff, spending significant sums on other luxury items, and hoping to be deemed worthy of acquiring a Birkin.
Meltzer elaborated on this phenomenon, stating, “The problem with everyone who wasn’t Jane Birkin is that if you wanted a Birkin, you couldn’t necessarily get one — to this day. So it became this kind of myth. The Birkin bag meant that you had made it.”
The Birkin’s status has been immortalized in various cultural references, including a memorable scene from the television series Sex and the City, where a sales associate famously declares, “It’s not a bag, it’s a Birkin!”
While the identity of the winning bidder from Thursday’s auction remains undisclosed, it is known that numerous socialites and celebrities have amassed extensive collections of Birkin bags. Notably, Singaporean socialite Jamie Chua possesses the largest known collection, which includes a $500,000 Himalayan diamond Birkin. Other celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, also showcase their own impressive Birkin collections.
As the legacy of Jane Birkin continues to influence fashion and culture, the record-breaking sale of her original Birkin bag is a testament to her enduring impact and the lasting allure of this iconic accessory.
