The Bag That Started It All: Jane Birkin's Original Hermès Bag Up For Auction Soon
The original Hermes Birkin bag made for Jane Birkin will be auctioned at Sotheby's Paris Fashion Icons sale on July 10.
Struggling to get your hands on a Birkin bag despite having the means to afford one? The original Hermes Birkin bag, famously crafted for singer and actress Jane Birkin herself, is about to go under the hammer in an upcoming Sotheby's auction. This iconic piece will be featured in Sotheby's Paris Fashion Icons sale, scheduled for July 10.
Renowned worldwide for its exclusivity and unmatched desirability, the Birkin bag is a symbol of ultimate luxury. Even those with ample resources often find it difficult to acquire one due to its rarity. Now, the very first Birkin bag ever created is being offered to the public – a true treasure for fashion enthusiasts.
Let's take a closer look at this historic handbag.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys)
The original design is a saddle-style, all-black leather bag adorned with elegant gold hardware. It represents a timeless emblem of luxury that has shaped the fashion world for over four decades. The creation of this legendary bag came about following a serendipitous meeting on a flight between Jane Birkin and then Hermes CEO Jean-Louis Dumas.
In 1994, Jane Birkin decided to sell her personal Birkin bag to raise funds for an AIDS charity. As reported by Business of Fashion, 'It was auctioned again in 2000, and has since belonged to the collector who goes by the name 'Catherine B' on Instagram. Her account biography on the platform says she's the 'proud owner of the first Hermes Birkin bag.'"
As reported by Times Now, Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's Global Head of Handbags and Fashion, emphasised the significance of this piece, stating, 'There is no doubt that the original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind piece, a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most refined way possible." Sotheby's assures that the bag will be presented in the exact condition it was in when used by Jane Birkin.
In a notable development, Jane Birkin requested that Hermes remove her name from the crocodile-skin versions of the Birkin bag. While the Birkin bag itself stands as a symbol of wealth and is adored by celebrities worldwide, the crocodile leather variants have drawn criticism from animal rights advocates. As The Guardian reported, Jane expressed her concerns: 'Having been alerted to the cruel practices reserved for crocodiles during their slaughter to make Hermes handbags carrying my name … I have asked Hermes to debaptise the Birkin Croco until better practices in line with international norms can be put in place."
This rare auction represents not only an opportunity to own a piece of fashion history but also highlights Jane Birkin's ongoing commitment to ethical concerns within the luxury industry.
First Published:
June 06, 2025, 14:53 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why is BLACKPINK's Lisa facing 'sexual harassment' accusations from Kentaro Sakaguchi's fans? All we know about Dream controversy
Lisa of BLACKPINK recently released a visually stunning and emotionally raw short film titled Dream, where she stars opposite acclaimed Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. While the project itself was meant to capture themes of love, loss, and longing, it's an off-camera moment between the two leads that has stirred a heated conversation online, even sparking 'sexual harassment' claims. Kentaro Sakaguchi's fans accuse Lisa of 'sexual harassment' A behind-the-scenes photo, shared by Lisa herself on her Instagram account, from the shoot of Dream has been circulating online, showing Lisa biting Kentaro Sakaguchi's arm while the two were off-camera. While many found the gesture playful, the photo has now ignited controversy online. In Japanese online spaces, some users criticised the gesture, calling it unprofessional or even labelling it as sexual harassment. One viral comment questioned, 'What if the roles were reversed?' suggesting that male celebrities wouldn't be excused in similar situations. Japanese netizens bully Lisa online Ever since the now-controversial photo went viral, some Japanese users have launched aggressive online smear campaigns targeting the BLACKPINK star. What began as criticism over a single moment quickly escalated, with individuals digging up old videos of Lisa and flooding social media with harsh comments and insinuations. These resurfaced clips—completely unrelated to the Dream project—have been used to frame Lisa in an unflattering light, sparking concern among fans who see the attacks as excessive, targeted, and deeply unfair. Many have called the behaviour outright bullying, urging others to step back and consider context before fuelling the fire. LISA receives racist commens & wishes for her to d*e EVERYWHERE: Weibo, IG, Twitter, even VLIVE where she clearly saw the comment SINCE EVER. Most ot4 are a bunch of hypocrites for being silent abt making up fake twts to drag Lisa is just the tip of the iceberg 人気K-POPグループ『#BLACKPINK』のLISAが、日本の俳優 #坂口健太郎 とミュージックビデオで共演↓恋人役を演じた2人だったが、カメラが回ってなさそうなタイミングでLISAが坂口健太郎の腕を噛みじゃれ合う↓「撮影外で腕を噛むのはセクハラ！」と主張する日本人登場↓タイ人がブチギレ(今ここ) Fans caught in the middle In the face of the backlash, many fans tried to ground the conversation in perspective: both Lisa and Sakaguchi are seasoned professionals, working on an intimate story that requires trust and emotional openness. Fans emphasised that chemistry between co-stars often requires a close bond, both on and off screen. Others pointed out that playful gestures, like the bite, may have been a sign of comfort or camaraderie, not meant to be dissected in public discourse. nah I'm acc sick ??? these japanese people are calling her all kinds of names in the qrts they're worse than the little sevens 😟😟 Lisa I need u to never work with a man again until we figure out what's going on More about Dream At the heart of it all is Dream, the short film itself, a poetic, 5-minute piece released on August 13, 2025, as part of Lisa's solo music project. Directed by Ojun Kwon, it tells the story of a woman grieving the loss of her partner (played by Sakaguchi), and carrying his memory through everyday moments. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Economic Times
20 minutes ago
- Economic Times
John Crawley, known as 'KingBeardX,' dies at 47; Know the family and networth of TikTok star
TikTok star KingBeardX John Crawley dies at 47 after hospitalization; GoFundMe set up for family support John Crawley, the beloved TikTok personality known as 'KingBeardX,' passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 47. His death was confirmed by his friend and former podcast co-host, Anthony Caruso, who had initiated a GoFundMe campaign earlier this month to assist with Crawley's medical expenses. The campaign was later updated to support funeral costs and aid his family during this difficult time. John Crawley, under his online persona KingBeardX, had amassed a substantial following, with over 3.5 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. His content, largely focused on comedic reactions, food challenges, and relatable humor, resonated with a wide demographic, making him a household name among social media users. Born on November 28, 1977, in New Albany, Mississippi, John Crawley gained widespread recognition for his humorous reaction videos on TikTok, where he amassed over 3.5 million followers. His content, often centered around comedic responses to food-related videos, resonated with a diverse audience, earning him a dedicated fan base across multiple platforms, including Instagram and YouTube. Earlier this month, Crawley experienced severe breathing difficulties and was admitted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his placement in the ICU and the use of a ventilator. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to cardiac arrest on August 18. At the time of his hospitalization, Crawley did not have health insurance and was the primary breadwinner for his family. This financial strain prompted his friend Anthony Caruso to launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses. Following Crawley's passing, the campaign was repurposed to assist with funeral costs and provide support to his mother. According to Hafi, before his untimely death, Crawley had an estimated annual income ranging from $145,800 to $199,640, primarily from sponsored content and platform earnings across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His estimated monthly earnings were between $15,280 and $20,960, reflecting his significant influence in the digital content creation obituary, published by Glenfield Funeral Home, highlighted his vibrant personality and the positive influence he had on his audience.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gauahar Khan gives a glimpse of her lavish Baby Shower ceremony; shares adorable moments with Husband zaid
Actress Gauahar Khan celebrated her upcoming arrival in style with a lavish baby shower, surrounded by close friends and family. The star looked radiant in a bright yellow gown, perfectly matching the festive and vibrant décor of the celebration. The actress is set to welcome her second child with husband Zaid and has been keeping fans updated on her pregnancy journey. The baby shower featured elaborate decorations, a beautifully designed cake, and intimate moments captured with her husband, making it a memorable day for the actress. Guests were seen joining in the celebrations, adding to the warmth and joy of the occasion. Gauahar shared a series of pictures and videos on her Instagram stories, where she can be seen enjoying the festivities and interacting with friends. The lavish party featured beautiful décor and a fun vibe. She also shared pictures of herself receiving gifts and flowers on the special occasion. Fans took to social media to wish Gauahar Khan, flooding her posts with messages of love and admiration. One fan wrote, 'Congratulations! God bless you and your little one,' while another commented, 'Wishing you endless happiness and health. You deserve all the love today and always!' These messages reflect her enduring popularity and the strong connection she shares with her fans. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo On the work front, Gauahar continues to impress audiences with her ongoing projects, balancing her professional commitments alongside personal milestones with grace. The baby shower not only showcased Gauahar's style and elegance but also offered fans a glimpse into her personal life, filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt wishes.
