Record-Setting Original Birkin Bag Sells for £7 Million at Auction

The original Birkin bag, designed in response to a serendipitous encounter onboard an aircraft, has shattered previous auction records, redefining luxury accessories.

In a historic auction at Sotheby’s in Paris, the original Birkin bag has sold for €8.6 million (£7.4 million; $10.1 million), establishing itself as the most valuable handbag ever sold. This unique black leather bag, created for renowned singer and actress Jane Birkin in 1985, came into existence through a spontaneous design session that occurred on a flight with the head of the luxury brand Hermès. Following a mishap where she spilled her belongings, Birkin suggested the need for a larger bag, leading him to sketch the first prototype on an airplane sick bag.

The auction attracted fierce competition, leading to an exhilarating 10-minute bidding session among nine collectors, ultimately ending with a private collection in Japan securing the historic handbag. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, referred to the auction outcome as a reflection of the bag’s legendary status and its continued influence on collectors eager for items with exceptional heritage.

Unique features of the original bag include Birkin's initials engraved on the front flap, a non-removable shoulder strap, and personal touches like nail clippers and stickers supporting various causes, demonstrating the bag's intimate connection to Birkin herself.

After using the bag for ten years, she donated it to charity in 1994 to raise funds for an Aids charity, after which it was owned by Catherine Benier for 25 years before the recent auction. The sale eclipsed the previous handbag record of $513,000, set by a luxury crocodile handbag in 2021, and has spotlighted the enduring appeal and significance of the Birkin bag in global fashion culture.