It started with a gasp and ended with a global standing ovation (well, almost). Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin — yes, the prototype that birthed the most desired bag on the planet — has officially shattered records at Sotheby’s Paris, selling for a jaw-dropping €8.6 million / $10.1 million. That’s not just a handbag; that’s haute history.
The sale now holds three world records:
- The most valuable handbag ever sold at auction
- The most valuable fashion item sold in Europe
- The priciest luxury item ever sold at Sotheby’s Paris
Let that sink in.
Bidding opened at a casual €1 million (no big deal), instantly blowing past the previous handbag record of $513K. Cue the drama: nine collectors, ten adrenaline-fueled minutes, and one triumphant phone bid from a Japanese private collector repping through Sotheby’s Maiko Ichikawa. When the hammer fell, applause echoed. Fashion folklore was made.
From Muse to Museum-Worthy
The bag in question isn’t just a pretty accessory. It’s the original Birkin — handcrafted for Jane Birkin herself, the British singer and actress who inspired Hermès’ now-iconic design during a fateful flight in 1983. It’s the prototype that launched a thousand waitlists, carried history in its seams, and, today, carries a price tag to match.
A Global Pilgrimage
The Birkin made the rounds before the sale: Paris, Hong Kong, New York, and back to Paris again — drawing thousands of fans across continents who queued up just to glimpse the legendary leather. Sotheby’s confirmed over 270 bidders from 38 countries registered for the Fashion Icons sale, proving once and for all: the world still bows to the Birkin.
A Sentimental Goodbye
Catherine B, the collector who won the bag 25 years ago, shared an emotional statement:
“I’m astonished at the result… but profoundly moved. Watching collectors chase this bag with such passion reminded me of my own bidding battle. I’m nostalgic, but thrilled it’s found a loving new home.”
More Than a Bag
“This is more than just the sale of a handbag,” said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s Global Head of Handbags and Fashion.
“It’s a celebration of an icon — of Jane Birkin, of design history, and of the magic that happens when storytelling meets craftsmanship.”
In a world of quiet luxury, this was a thunderclap. Jane’s Birkin isn’t just a relic — it’s a revolution in a handle, proof that fashion’s most powerful currency isn’t just style. It’s story.
And this one? Sold.
