In a remarkable auction event, the original Birkin bag has set a new record by selling for €8.6 million (£7.4 million; $10.1 million), marking it as the most expensive handbag ever sold.
**Historic Sale: The Original Birkin Bag Fetches £7 Million at Auction**
**Historic Sale: The Original Birkin Bag Fetches £7 Million at Auction**
The legendary handbag, once owned by Jane Birkin, breaks auction records, exemplifying fashion's most coveted accessory.
The authentic Birkin bag, an emblem of luxury and desire, has shattered previous records, thanks to a 10-minute bidding frenzy at Sotheby's in Paris. Crafted in 1985 for acclaimed singer and actress Jane Birkin, the handbag was born from a mid-flight conversation that sparked its innovative design. Birkin, having spilled her items while seated next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, expressed the need for a more practical bag, which led to him sketching a prototype on the nearest available paper—a sick bag.
The astounding sales price of €8,582,500 includes auction fees and far exceeded the previous handbag record of €439,000 set earlier. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, remarked on the sale's significance, highlighting its testament to the "power of a legend" and the allure of collector items with unique heritage.
Notably, the original bag features personalized touches, such as Birkin's initials engraved on the flap, a lasting shoulder strap, and even marks from stickers she used to promote charitable causes, reflecting its unique history. Following a decade of ownership, Birkin donated the bag to charity in 1994, aiming to raise funds for AIDS awareness. It subsequently changed hands before being sold again by Catherine Benier, a luxury boutique owner in Paris.
As luxury handbags evolve, the Birkin remains an unrivaled symbol of exclusivity, with many styles priced at tens of thousands of dollars. Celebrities such as Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez are among the elite who own these coveted accessories. The sale resonates as not just a fashion statement, but as a monumental moment in the world's appreciation for luxury and heritage in the fashion industry.
The astounding sales price of €8,582,500 includes auction fees and far exceeded the previous handbag record of €439,000 set earlier. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, remarked on the sale's significance, highlighting its testament to the "power of a legend" and the allure of collector items with unique heritage.
Notably, the original bag features personalized touches, such as Birkin's initials engraved on the flap, a lasting shoulder strap, and even marks from stickers she used to promote charitable causes, reflecting its unique history. Following a decade of ownership, Birkin donated the bag to charity in 1994, aiming to raise funds for AIDS awareness. It subsequently changed hands before being sold again by Catherine Benier, a luxury boutique owner in Paris.
As luxury handbags evolve, the Birkin remains an unrivaled symbol of exclusivity, with many styles priced at tens of thousands of dollars. Celebrities such as Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez are among the elite who own these coveted accessories. The sale resonates as not just a fashion statement, but as a monumental moment in the world's appreciation for luxury and heritage in the fashion industry.
