The original bag, named after United Kingdom (UK) actress and singer Jane Birkin, was put up for auction in Paris yesterday, announced the auction house Sotheby’s.
An original bag made for actress Jane Birkin that became one of the most memorable designer creations of the 20th century has sold at auction in Paris for a record €8.6 million.
The commercialized version of the Jane Birkin bag became one of the most exclusive luxury fashion accessories in the world, with years-long waiting lists for purchase.
The bag came about by chance, when Birkin, during a flight from Paris to London in the 1980s, complained to then-Hermes chief Jean-Louis Dumas that she couldn’t find a bag big enough on the market.
The two of them then, according to Birkin, sketched the prototype of the bag on the plane, and she later agreed that the model would be sold under her name.
Sotheby’s claims that there are seven design elements that distinguish the handmade prototype from later models.
“As more than just a bag, the Birkin has evolved from a practical accessory to a timeless cultural icon,” stated the auction house.
Photo: Vogue
