The original Birkin bag, cherished as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, recently achieved unprecedented fame by being sold for €8.6m (£7.4m; $10.1m) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris. Crafted in 1985 for English-French singer and actress Jane Birkin, the handbag has now cemented its status as the most expensive ever sold. The design story began on a flight when Birkin spilled her belongings next to the Hermès CEO, inspiring the creation of a larger, more practical bag. The bidding for this iconic piece was intense, lasting ten minutes among nine determined collectors. Morgane Halimi, the global head of handbags at Sotheby's, described the final sale as a reflection of Birkin's legendary status and the attachment to its unique history. The initial bag's distinctive features, including Birkin's initials and reminders of her philanthropic efforts, underscore its significance. After owning the bag for ten years, Birkin donated it to charity, eventually leading to its recent sale by private boutique owner, Catherine Benier, who kept it for 25 years. This monumental auction surpassed the previous handbag record, reaffirming the Birkin bag's influence on fashion and luxury markets.
The Iconic Birkin Bag Breaks Auction Record with £7m Sale
The Iconic Birkin Bag Breaks Auction Record with £7m Sale
A historic sale of the original Birkin bag has made headlines, as it fetches a staggering £7.4m at auction, setting a new record for the most valuable handbag.
The Iconic Birkin Bag Breaks Auction Record with £7m Sale
A historic sale of the original Birkin bag has made headlines, as it fetches a staggering £7.4m at auction, setting a new record for the most valuable handbag.
The original Birkin bag, cherished as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, recently achieved unprecedented fame by being sold for €8.6m (£7.4m; $10.1m) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris. Crafted in 1985 for English-French singer and actress Jane Birkin, the handbag has now cemented its status as the most expensive ever sold. The design story began on a flight when Birkin spilled her belongings next to the Hermès CEO, inspiring the creation of a larger, more practical bag. The bidding for this iconic piece was intense, lasting ten minutes among nine determined collectors. Morgane Halimi, the global head of handbags at Sotheby's, described the final sale as a reflection of Birkin's legendary status and the attachment to its unique history. The initial bag's distinctive features, including Birkin's initials and reminders of her philanthropic efforts, underscore its significance. After owning the bag for ten years, Birkin donated it to charity, eventually leading to its recent sale by private boutique owner, Catherine Benier, who kept it for 25 years. This monumental auction surpassed the previous handbag record, reaffirming the Birkin bag's influence on fashion and luxury markets.
A historic sale of the original Birkin bag has made headlines, as it fetches a staggering £7.4m at auction, setting a new record for the most valuable handbag.
The original Birkin bag, cherished as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, recently achieved unprecedented fame by being sold for €8.6m (£7.4m; $10.1m) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris. Crafted in 1985 for English-French singer and actress Jane Birkin, the handbag has now cemented its status as the most expensive ever sold. The design story began on a flight when Birkin spilled her belongings next to the Hermès CEO, inspiring the creation of a larger, more practical bag. The bidding for this iconic piece was intense, lasting ten minutes among nine determined collectors. Morgane Halimi, the global head of handbags at Sotheby's, described the final sale as a reflection of Birkin's legendary status and the attachment to its unique history. The initial bag's distinctive features, including Birkin's initials and reminders of her philanthropic efforts, underscore its significance. After owning the bag for ten years, Birkin donated it to charity, eventually leading to its recent sale by private boutique owner, Catherine Benier, who kept it for 25 years. This monumental auction surpassed the previous handbag record, reaffirming the Birkin bag's influence on fashion and luxury markets.
