An iconic black leather Birkin bag sold for €8.6 million at a recent Sotheby's auction, establishing itself as the most valuable handbag ever auctioned.
Record-Breaking Birkin Bag Fetches £7 Million at Auction
Record-Breaking Birkin Bag Fetches £7 Million at Auction
The original Birkin bag, crafted for Jane Birkin in 1985, shatters auction records as it sells for £7.4 million.
The original Birkin bag has made history after fetching an astonishing €8.6 million (£7.4 million; $10.1 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris, making it the highest-selling handbag to date. This unique black leather bag was originally designed for the legendary singer and actress Jane Birkin in 1985, following an in-flight revelation about the need for larger bags. The design was creatively sketched on an airplane sick bag by Hermès' executive, leading to the birth of a modern fashion icon.
The bidding process was intense, lasting around ten minutes and drawing nine avid collectors eager to acquire a piece of history. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, emphasized the significance of the prototype as an emblem of luxury and provenance, igniting the enthusiasm of collectors.
This extraordinary bag bears distinctive features, including Birkin's initials, a unique shoulder strap, and remnants of her advocacy work, reflecting its rich history. Birkin retained the bag for a decade before donating it to a charity auction in 1994, where it was later acquired by luxury boutique owner Catherine Benier, who held onto it for 25 years before its record-breaking sale.
The previous record for a handbag was set in 2021 for a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28. As the Birkin bag continues to epitomize exclusivity and luxury within the fashion realm, its latest sale further cements its status as a coveted accessory for both collectors and celebrities alike.
The bidding process was intense, lasting around ten minutes and drawing nine avid collectors eager to acquire a piece of history. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, emphasized the significance of the prototype as an emblem of luxury and provenance, igniting the enthusiasm of collectors.
This extraordinary bag bears distinctive features, including Birkin's initials, a unique shoulder strap, and remnants of her advocacy work, reflecting its rich history. Birkin retained the bag for a decade before donating it to a charity auction in 1994, where it was later acquired by luxury boutique owner Catherine Benier, who held onto it for 25 years before its record-breaking sale.
The previous record for a handbag was set in 2021 for a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28. As the Birkin bag continues to epitomize exclusivity and luxury within the fashion realm, its latest sale further cements its status as a coveted accessory for both collectors and celebrities alike.
