Jane Birkin’s original Birkin bag sold for $10 million

The original Hermès handbag designed for Jane Birkin has sold for $10.1 million at a public sale organised by Sotheby’s Paris. As a result, it became the most expensive handbag ever auctioned. The figure also makes it the second most valuable fashion item in history.

Created in 1984, the piece was an exclusive prototype for Birkin, inspired by a conversation with Jean-Louis Dumas during a flight in 1981. It differs from commercial models in its actual use. Birkin wore it daily until 1994, personalising it with stickers from organisations such as Doctors of the World and UNICEF. As well as incorporating functional details such as nail clippers.

The bag was acquired by a private Japanese collector after a 10-minute bidding session involving nine bidders. The sale far surpasses the previous record of $513,040 set by a diamond-studded crocodile Kelly in 2021.

According to Morgane Halimi, Global Head of Handbags and Fashion at Sotheby’s, “It is incredible to think that a handbag originally designed as a practical accessory has become the most desirable handbag in history.” Aurélie Vandevoorde, the auctioneer in charge of the sale, called it ‘the most famous handbag of all time’.

The high price paid for the handbag is due to its rarity, original condition, direct provenance and cultural value as an object intimately linked to Jane Birkin, who died in 2023.