The original Birkin bag has sold: The history of Jane's legacy
The lot began at €1 million, with advanced bids having already been placed at €1.3 million before bids went to the room at 15:18 BST.
It quickly jumped from €1.5 million to €2.4 million and €2.8 million within a minute before a fair warning was given.
Another fair warning was given at €4 million, before climbing to €6.5 million when another was given.
The bids escalated for a further eight minutes until the hammer was lowered and sold to a mystery buyer for €7m (€8.5m including commission fees), smashing previous price records for a handbag.
The Hermès Birkin is now known to be the most coveted designer bag in the world.
The ultimate style symbol of status and social ascension – the Birkin's growing high-profile fan club, which includes models Kate Moss and Miranda Kerr, Victoria Beckham, the Kardashian-Jenners, Jennifer Lopez and more, helps it remain one of the most desired bags in the world.
The current owner, Catherine Benier, a private collector and founder of the Paris vintage boutique Les 3 Marches, announced she was selling it on 5 June.
Bernier purchased the bag for an undisclosed sum in 2000, and even today, she declines to reveal how much she spent.
The tale of the Birkin begins in 1981, when actress Jane Birkin happened to be seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas – then artistic director of Hermès – on an Air France flight.
As she attempted to store her belongings in the overhead compartment, the contents of her now-iconic wicker basket came tumbling into Dumas's lap. It was a serendipitous mishap that would go on to change fashion history.
Bemoaning the lack of handbags spacious enough to carry the essentials – especially while travelling with her young daughter, Charlotte – Birkin explained her frustration with the dainty designs of the day.
Ever inspired by a practical muse, Dumas and Birkin began sketching a concept on the back of a sick-bag. That drawing would become the basis for what is now arguably the world's most coveted handbag.
By 1985, Hermès had produced a prototype and presented it to Birkin, requesting her permission to name the new style in her honour. That very first design – known as the Original Birkin – was unlike any the house would later release commercially, with subtle distinctions that set it apart as a true one-off.
This is the bag being auctioned. It features a shoulder strap, which was never included on the commercial version, gilded brass hardware instead of the classic gold-plated and zips sourced from Éclair instead of Riri, which has manufactured Birkin zippers since the 1990s.
The most exciting differentiating details, however, are undoubtedly the personalisation of the bag.
Birkin's Original Birkin was deeply personal to her and proudly bore her initials, "J.B" embossed on the front flap.
And known for her effortlessly cool, 'French girl' chic style, Jane Birkin preferred a natural look over long, painted nails. So in order to keep her nails neatly trimmed on the go, she kept a nail clipper attached to a chain hanging from the base of the shoulder strap inside her bag, which is being included in the sale.
Birkin, who died at the age of 76 in 2023, was paid an annual royalty, which was then passed on to her nominated charities.
Birkins have never gone out of style – and never will – and have historically increased in value over time owing to the heritage at their core.
And the Original Birkin represents a piece of fashion folklore – a moment where function, personality and design came together to create something truly iconic.
With its sale in Paris yesterday, a new chapter begins for a bag that redefined what luxury means, not just in price, but in cultural impact.
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Irish Examiner
16 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Why ‘French girl hair' is the ultimate cool summer look & how to copy it – from ‘Birkin bangs' to underdone bobs
Messy, sexy, can't-be-bothered hair is the look of the moment — and the French have been doing it forever. From Bardot to 5 Brigitte Bardot's messy-chic French look is back in Credit: Alamy 5 TikTok is obsessed with Daisy Edgar-Jones' French girl look Credit: getty TikTok is obsessed, searches for ' But what actually is French girl hair and how do you get it without spending hours with straighteners or forking out hundreds at a salon? Well, the magic is in the mess. French girl hair is never too neat, too bouncy or too 'done'. Read more on hair Less is more 5 French songwriter, Louise Verneuil, asks for an 'easy cut' Think cool, tousled, soft texture, and just the right amount of volume that says 'I didn't try,' even though you definitely did. Paris-based hair pros say the whole aesthetic is about pretending not to care. Louise Verneuil, a French singer-songwriter told 'It suggests you don't have time but still look cool. The French way is always 'less is more'.' Most read in Fabulous The songwriter said she doesn't ask for a glam blow-dry or anything too neat when she visits her hairdresser. More than half of Americans admire the French way of life, with good work-life balance topping the list, survey shows She goes for an 'easy cut' to suit her hair and mood. Louise added: "I prefer something timeless — something fun, not too perfect, that mixes all the movies, books and heroines I love.' So no poker-straight strands, no chunky highlights, and definitely no extensions down to your bum. Instead, it's lived-in layers, French actress, Isabelle Huppert is a great example of how to achieve this look, with her tousled mid-length look. Some women even go a week without washing, tying their hair into a messy bun or low chignon when it starts to look greasy. But don't be fooled, while it may look scruffy, it actually starts with really healthy hair. French women invest in good care and keep styling to a minimum. Hairstylist Sam McKnight told The Times: 'French women really look after the health of their hair. "They purposefully underdo it on the styling front." A diffuser is a secret weapon if you've got natural waves or just rough dry your hair and twist sections as you go. Ditch the hairbrush and use your fingers to add texture, volume and that perfectly imperfect finish. Birkin Bangs 5 Jane Birkin's iconic hair-do features wispy bangs and soft, messy hair Credit: Getty And of course, no French-inspired hair look would be complete without a signature fringe. To get the 'Birkin bang' you'll want to go short in the middle, longer at the sides, and then softly frames the eyes. It's wispy, windy, and looks best when it's just a little out of place. Underdone bobs 5 Isabelle Huppert wears a stylish long bob French haircuts tend to be timeless, boho and a bit undone, not too sharp, not too polished. Think chipped-in bobs, grown-out pixies and shoulder-length chops that have a bit of rock 'n' roll about them. French actress, Isabelle Huppert is a great reference for this look. And just because you're getting older doesn't mean chopping it all off. French girl hair isn't really about trends or tools. It's about confidence, coolness and pretending you didn't try, even if you totally did. How often should you be washing your hair? Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at You take your hair and scalp to the same places you take your face, and it gets just as dirty. Your scalp is also a living tissue; it sweats, produces oils and sheds skin cells. You wouldn't leave two days between washing your face, and you likely wouldn't wear the same outfit more than a few times before washing it – apply the same thinking to your hair. It is a myth that washing your hair too often causes your hair to get greasier.
