The very first Birkin bag ever made is going on sale

Time of India

a day ago

The first Hermès Birkin bag, originally designed for Jane Birkin, is up for auction at Sotheby's Paris. This iconic black leather bag, born from a chance encounter in 1984, was previously sold by Birkin for AIDS research. Expected to ignite a bidding war, the bag represents fashion history, ethical considerations, and timeless allure.
Struggling to score a Birkin even with all the right connections (and credit cards)? You're not alone and now, the ultimate holy grail of handbags is up for grabs. The very first Hermès Birkin bag ever made, the one that started it all, originally designed for style icon Jane Birkin herself, is hitting the auction block this July.
That's right, the Birkin is coming out of its rarefied vault for Sotheby's Paris Fashion Icons sale on July 10, and fashion history is about to have a new owner.
Crafted in jet-black leather and finished with signature gold hardware, this saddle-style Birkin isn't just a collector's dream, it's a slice of sartorial legend. The story behind it? A chance encounter in 1984 between Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas aboard a flight, where her overflowing straw bag sparked a moment of genius and gave birth to fashion's most desired arm candy.
An undated photo provided by Sotheby's shows the original Hermès prototype for Jane Birkin's iconic bag. The prototype for the Birkin bag will be sold at auction this summer. There is no estimate for how high the bidding may go. (Sotheby's via The New York Times) -- NO SALES; FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY WITH NYT STORY SLUGGED BIRKIN PROTOTYPE AUCTION BY MARISA MELTZER FOR JUNE 5, 2025. ALL OTHER USE PROHIBITED. --
Now, that exact bag-once sold by Jane herself in 1994 to raise funds for AIDS research, is returning to the spotlight. Previously owned by the elusive collector 'Catherine B' (yes, the one with the 'proud owner of the first Hermès Birkin' bio on Instagram), this icon is expected to ignite bidding wars and break records.
'This is a one-of-a-kind moment. The first Birkin is more than a handbag, it's a pop culture artefact,' said Morgane Halimi, Global Head of Handbags and Fashion at Sotheby's.
And here's the kicker: it will be sold exactly as Jane Birkin used it, worn-in charm and all.
But this isn't just a luxury fantasy. It's a reminder of Jane Birkin's bold ethical stance. She famously asked Hermès to remove her name from the crocodile-skin Birkin after learning of the disturbing animal cruelty practices involved. 'I have asked Hermès to debaptise the Birkin Croco,' she said in a statement that shook the luxury world.
With this sale, the original Birkin reclaims centre stage - not just as a style status symbol, but as a cultural relic that tells a bigger story about fashion, ethics, and timeless allure. If there's ever been a handbag worth fighting over, this is it. Let the bidding begin.
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