Image courtesy: sothebys.com
The original 1985 Birkin, created for its namesake Jane Birkin, just sold at auction for €7 million (plus the not-insignificant buyer’s premium). As stated by the auctioneer, this is the “most famous bag of all time.” Rested in a glass case during the Sotheby’s event, bidding was fierce, starting at €1 million and quickly rising. No word yet on the identify of the purchaser.
As fashionistas (and now likely the world) know, the Birkin bag originated from a sketch done on an Air France sick bag. Actress and singer Jane Birkin’s overflowing straw bag spilled out as Birkin just happened to complain to fellow passenger, and then Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, about being unable to find a proper leather handbag for traveling with her daughter. Dumas then sketched out the bag mid-air, using design elements of the already existing Hermès HAC. and when produced in black leather with gold hardware, Hermès asked to name it after Jane. And voilà – the Birkin bag was born.
This original bag included a shoulder strap and, more interestingly, nail clippers. Birkin was known to carry, and decorate (aka Birkinifying) the bag for nearly a decade.
The €7 million bid comes with a hefty additional charge as well. Per Sotheby’s website, this is the calculation of the buyer’s premium to be added to winning bids.
Image courtesy: sothebys.com
What do you think Jane’s bag is worth? And who do you think purchased it?
- Maura Carlin posted 2 months ago
- last edited 2 months ago
