In a landmark event at Sotheby’s Paris on July 10, 2025, the original Hermès Birkin bag, custom-made for the late British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin in 1985, sold for a record €8.6 million (approximately $10.1 million USD), setting a new benchmark as the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction.
The auction attracted nine bidders, culminating in a 10-minute bidding war that ended with a private Japanese collector securing the bag. This sale surpasses the previous handbag auction record, held by a Hermès White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Kelly bag, which sold for $513,040 in 2021.
The original Birkin bag was conceived following a conversation between Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then-chairman of Hermès, during a 1981 flight. Birkin, struggling to find a suitable leather weekend bag, sketched her ideal design on an airplane sickness bag. Hermès crafted the prototype in 1985, featuring distinctive elements such as a non-removable shoulder strap and Birkin’s engraved initials. Unlike its commercial successors, this prototype also includes a nail clipper attached to the strap, reflecting Birkin’s personal touch.
Over the years, the Birkin bag has evolved into a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. However, the original prototype remains a unique artifact, embodying the intersection of celebrity, craftsmanship, and cultural history. The recent sale underscores the enduring legacy of Jane Birkin and her profound influence on fashion.
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