Jane Birkin's original Hermès bag, scuffed and all, sells for $10M
A massive price tag isn't unheard of in the world of Birkins, but this one is surely the most iconic.
Sotheby's auction house just sold Jane Birkin's original Hermès bag, designed and named after the British actress and singer. The handmade, sleek black prototype – now a status symbol for the ultra-wealthy – hit the auction block for a starting price of $10,000. The well-worn bag went on to sell over the phone to a private Japanese buyer for €8.58 million, or just over $10 million, at final auction on Thursday, July 10.
The price was the highest on record for a fashion item, Sotheby's said.
First designed in 1984 as a collaboration between Birkin, who was living in Paris at the time, and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, the bag originated via an in-flight conversation.
When seated next to the Hermès executive on a flight, Birkin sketched her ideal tote, and the design house took off running. Her main specifications had little to do with the look of the bag and more with its capacity – at the time, the actress said none of the purses du jour fit what she needed for her busy lifestyle as a young mother.
On the plane, she was carrying a wicker basket, since her handbag was at capacity, and when the contents of it spilled on Dumas, the point made itself.
The first bag, which has been sold twice before, has Birkin's initials on the flap and, as opposed to its successors, has a strap that cannot be removed. Unlike some who handle their Birkin with a ginger touch, sometimes keeping it locked away in a closet, the late actress used the bag daily, often accessorized her bag with scarves and bag charms, and at times wore it tucked in, underneath her arm. She wore it into the ground, unafraid to have it beat up and appear heavily used.
Birkin died in Paris on July 16, 2023, at age 76, after suffering a series of health problems in previous years.
How much does a Birkin cost?
A new Birkin can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000 (or more). It's not an "off the rack" purchase either: Hermès doesn't display its bags, so you'd likely need a relationship with a sales associate to get your hands on one.
The value continues to appreciate, particularly for some bags like the crocodile skin Birkin, which the actress herself asked the design house to stop making in 2015. She took issue with the animal cruelty that went into giving the purse its real-life croc look.
For the folks who don't have $10 million lying around, Walmart made waves in 2024 when it began selling dupes of the purse for less than $100.
Contributing: Reuters