Latest news with #CatherineBenier
Kuwait Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
The $10 million bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction
The first-ever Birkin bag designed by French luxury brand Hermes for celebrity Jane Birkin sold for 8.58 million euros ($10 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris on Thursday, smashing previous price records for a handbag. The modern design classic, owned by a Paris-based handbag collector, sparked a telephone bidding war up to seven million euros, with the final sale price set at 8.58 million with commission and fees, the Sotheby's website showed. 'After weeks of anticipation, the bidding opened at 1 million euros — prompting a gasp from the room,' Sotheby's said in a statement. The final buyer, who eclipsed eight other rivals, was a 'private collector from Japan', the auction house added, without giving further details. The previous record price for a handbag at auction was set by a diamond-encrusted crocodile skin Hermes Kelly 28, which fetched $513,000 in 2021 at Christie's in Hong Kong. Sotheby's had advised that the Birkin prototype was expected to beat that level during its sale. But the staggering price tag for a well-worn item is in keeping with the fashion world's recent flashy aesthetics. After years of so-called 'quiet luxury' dominating catwalks, designers have embraced more ostentatious looks in recent seasons that have been dubbed 'boom boom' by some trend forecasters. Modern-day Birkin bags are offered by Hermes to loyal clients, with prices starting at around $10,000. 'Nostalgic' The original Birkin has changed hands twice since being put up for sale by Birkin at an auction in 1994 where the proceeds went to an AIDS charity, according to Sotheby's. Thursday's sale represents an extraordinary pay day for owner Catherine Benier, who has a boutique in the upmarket 6th district in Left Bank Paris. She said she was 'astonished at the result' in a statement sent by Sotheby's. 'I'm already very nostalgic at the thought of knowing the bag is no longer mine but extremely happy it has found a new loving home,' she added. She told The New York Times before the sale that the bag, which she bought at auction 25 years ago, was the 'jewel in my collection'. The bag is now the second-most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, Sotheby's said. The record was established by a pair of ruby red slippers worn by actor Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz in 1939, which sold for $32.5 million in 2024 in Dallas, Texas. 'Many years of use' The birth of the Birkin bag has become a modern fashion legend. During a Paris-London flight, the singer and film star -- who died in 2023 -- complained to fellow traveller Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermes, about not being able to find a bag suited to her needs as a young mother. The result of their conversation was a spacious tote with room for baby bottles, created in 1984 and named the Birkin. The protoype, which Birkin regularly carried with her and customized with stickers, is engraved with the initials J.B. and has several unique features, including closed metal rings, a non-detachable shoulder strap and a built-in nail clipper. Its condition 'reflects the many years of use by the actress and singer', Sotheby's said beforehand. A slightly differently sized version of the original has become the flagship product of the immensely profitable family-owned Hermes ever since. Produced in very limited numbers, the bag has maintained an aura of exclusivity and is beloved by celebrities from the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez to Victoria Beckham. Frustrated fashionistas in America even sued Hermes in a class-action suit in California last year after they were refused access to the bags. Birkin had a sometimes strained relationship with Hermes, once threatening to take her name off the bags because of the group's treatment of crocodiles whose skins are used for its products. The former wife of French singing legend Serge Gainsbourg championed a host of causes, including animal rights.--AFP
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Das ist die teuerste Handtasche der Welt
PARIS, FRANKREICH 10. JULI 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 1. 00:00-00:05 Halbnahe the Birkin bag before the sale 2. 00:05-00:08 Totale the auctioneer during the sale 3. 00:08-00:13 Totale the room during the auction 4. 00:13-00:17 Halbnahe the auctioneer marks the end of the sale 5. 00:17-00:21 Halbnahe applause after the sale 6. 00:21-00:43 O-TON 1 - Catherine Benier, founder of the luxury vintage boutique Les 3 Marches and seller of the bag (Frau, French, 22 Sek.): "Je ne sais pas si c'est tellement d'argent, vous savez, dans le monde, trop de choses sont très chères, mais pour le sac Birkin, le prix représente l'histoire d'Hermès, le prix correspond au travail artisanal, vous savez, pour le sac, donc je pense que c'est un bon prix pour un sac Birkin, le tout premier." "I don't know if it's so much money, you know, in the world too much thing are too much money, but for the Birkin bag, the price is the price of the Hermès story, the price is the price of the handmade, you know, for the bag, so I think it's a good price for a Birkin bag, the first one." 7. 00:43-00:45 Halbnahe an employee places the bag on a stand 8. 00:45-00:48 Schwenk von links nach rechts an employee handles the bag LONDON, GROSSBRITANNIEN 27. NOVEMBER 2024 QUELLE: AFPTV 9. 00:48-00:52 Totale original ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz 10. 00:52-00:56 Schwenk von unten nach oben original ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz PARIS, FRANKREICH 10. JULI 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 11. 00:56-00:59 Halbnahe an employee places the bag on a stand 12. 00:59-01:02 Nah the first Hermes Birkin handbag, with Jane Birkin's initials 13. 01:02-01:06 Schwenk von unten nach oben the first Hermes Birkin handbag 14. 01:06-01:12 Totale a wall display of 'The Original Birkin'
eNCA
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
The $10 mn bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction
PARIS - The first-ever Birkin bag designed by French luxury brand Hermes for celebrity Jane Birkin sold for 8.58 million euros ($10 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris on Thursday, smashing previous price records for a handbag. The modern design classic, owned by a well-known Paris-based handbag collector, sparked a telephone bidding war up to 7 million euros, with the final sale price set at 8.58 million with commission and fees, the Sotheby's website showed. The previous record sale price for a handbag at auction was set by a diamond- and white gold-encrusted crocodile skin Hermes Kelly 28 which fetched nearly $513,000 in 2021 at Christie's in Hong Kong. "After weeks of anticipation, the bidding opened at 1 million euros — prompting a gasp from the room," Sotheby's said in a statement. Sotheby's had advised that the Birkin prototype was expected to set records. But the staggering price tag is in keeping with the fashion world's recent flashy aesthetics. After years of so-called "quiet luxury" dominating catwalks, designers have embraced more ostentatious looks in recent seasons that have been dubbed "boom boom" by some trend forecasters. The identity of the buyer has not been revealed so far. - Fashion legend - The original Birkin has changed hands twice since being put up for sale by Birkin at an auction in 1994 where the proceeds went to an AIDS charity, according to Sotheby's. Thursday's seller, Catherine Benier, who has a boutique in the upmarket 6th district in Left Bank Paris, told The New York Times before the sale that the bag was the "jewel in my collection". The birth of the bag has become a modern fashion legend. During a Paris–London flight, the singer and actress -- who died in 2023 -- complained to a fellow traveller about not being able to find a bag suited to her needs as a young mother. That fellow passenger happened to be Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermes. The result of their conversation was a spacious tote with room for baby bottles, created in 1984 and named the Birkin. It is engraved with the initials J.B. and has several unique features, including closed metal rings, a non-detachable shoulder strap and a built-in nail clipper. Its condition "reflects the many years of use by the actress and singer," Sotheby's said beforehand. A slightly differently sized version of the original has become the flagship product of the immensely profitable family-owned luxury French leather goods maker ever since. Produced in very limited numbers, the bag has maintained an aura of exclusivity and is beloved by celebrities from Khloe Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez to Victoria Beckham. Frustrated fashionistas in America even sued Hermes in a class-action suit in California last year after they were refused access to the bags. By Adam Plowright
NDTV
11-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Jane Birkin's Hermes Bag Sold For Rs 85 Crore At Paris Auction
France: The first-ever Birkin bag designed by French luxury brand Hermes for celebrity Jane Birkin sold for 8.58 million euros ($10 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris on Thursday, smashing previous price records for a handbag. The modern design classic, owned by a Paris-based handbag collector, sparked a telephone bidding war up to seven million euros, with the final sale price set at 8.58 million with commission and fees, the Sotheby's website showed. "After weeks of anticipation, the bidding opened at 1 million euros — prompting a gasp from the room," Sotheby's said in a statement. The final buyer, who eclipsed eight other rivals, was a "private collector from Japan", the auction house added, without giving further details. The Birkin has become a modern design icon that is so exclusive that Hermes only offers it to loyal clients. The previous record price for a handbag at auction was set by a diamond-encrusted crocodile skin Hermes Kelly 28, which fetched $513,000 in 2021 at Christie's in Hong Kong. Sotheby's had advised that the Birkin prototype was expected to beat that level during its sale. But the staggering price tag for a well-worn item is in keeping with the fashion world's recent flashy aesthetics. After years of so-called "quiet luxury" dominating catwalks, designers have embraced more ostentatious looks in recent seasons that have been dubbed "boom boom" by some trend forecasters. Modern-day Birkin bags are offered by Hermes to loyal clients, with prices starting at around $10,000. 'Nostalgic' The original Birkin has changed hands twice since being put up for sale by Birkin at an auction in 1994 where the proceeds went to an AIDS charity, according to Sotheby's. Thursday's sale represents an extraordinary pay day for owner Catherine Benier, who has a boutique in the upmarket 6th district in Left Bank Paris. She said she was "astonished at the result" in a statement sent by Sotheby's. "I'm already very nostalgic at the thought of knowing the bag is no longer mine but extremely happy it has found a new loving home," she added. She told The New York Times before the sale that the bag, which she bought at auction 25 years ago, was the "jewel in my collection". The bag is now the second-most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, Sotheby's said. The record was established by a pair of ruby red slippers worn by actor Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz in 1939, which sold for $32.5 million in 2024 in Dallas, Texas. 'Many years of use' The birth of the Birkin bag has become a modern fashion legend. During a Paris-London flight, the singer and film star -- who died in 2023 -- complained to fellow traveller Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermes, about not being able to find a bag suited to her needs as a young mother. The result of their conversation was a spacious tote with room for baby bottles, created in 1984 and named the Birkin. The protoype, which Birkin regularly carried with her and customised with stickers, is engraved with the initials J.B. and has several unique features, including closed metal rings, a non-detachable shoulder strap and a built-in nail clipper. Its condition "reflects the many years of use by the actress and singer", Sotheby's said beforehand. A slightly differently sized version of the original has become the flagship product of the immensely profitable family-owned Hermes ever since. Produced in very limited numbers, the bag has maintained an aura of exclusivity and is beloved by celebrities from the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez to Victoria Beckham. Frustrated fashionistas in America even sued Hermes in a class-action suit in California last year after they were refused access to the bags. Birkin had a sometimes strained relationship with Hermes, once threatening to take her name off the bags because of the group's treatment of crocodiles whose skins are used for its products. The former wife of French singing legend Serge Gainsbourg championed a host of causes, including animal rights.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
The US$10mil bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction
PARIS: The first-ever Birkin bag designed by French luxury brand Hermès for celebrity Jane Birkin sold for €8.58 million (US$10 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris on Thursday, smashing previous price records for a handbag. The modern design classic, owned by a Paris-based handbag collector, sparked a telephone bidding war up to €7 million, with the final sale price set at €8.58 million with commission and fees, the Sotheby's website showed. "After weeks of anticipation, the bidding opened at €1 million – prompting a gasp from the room," Sotheby's said in a statement. The final buyer, who eclipsed eight other rivals, was a "private collector from Japan", the auction house added, without giving further details. The previous record price for a handbag at auction was set by a diamond-encrusted crocodile skin Hermès Kelly 28, which fetched US$513,000 in 2021 at Christie's in Hong Kong. Sotheby's had advised that the Birkin prototype was expected to beat that level during its sale. But the staggering price tag for a well-worn item is in keeping with the fashion world's recent flashy aesthetics. After years of so-called "quiet luxury" dominating catwalks, designers have embraced more ostentatious looks in recent seasons that have been dubbed "boom boom" by some trend forecasters. Modern-day Birkin bags are offered by Hermès to loyal clients, with prices starting at around US$10,000. The original Birkin has changed hands twice since being put up for sale by Birkin at an auction in 1994 where the proceeds went to an AIDS charity, according to Sotheby's. Thursday's sale represents an extraordinary pay day for owner Catherine Benier, who has a boutique in the upmarket 6th district in Left Bank Paris. She said she was "astonished at the result" in a statement sent by Sotheby's. "I'm already very nostalgic at the thought of knowing the bag is no longer mine but extremely happy it has found a new loving home," she added. She told The New York Times before the sale that the bag, which she bought at auction 25 years ago, was the "jewel in my collection." The bag is now the second-most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, Sotheby's said. The record was established by a pair of ruby red slippers worn by actor Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz in 1939, which sold for US$32.5 million in 2024 in Dallas, Texas. The birth of the Birkin bag has become a modern fashion legend. During a Paris–London flight, the singer and film star – who died in 2023 – complained to fellow traveller Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermès, about not being able to find a bag suited to her needs as a young mother. The result of their conversation was a spacious tote with room for baby bottles, created in 1984 and named the Birkin. The prototype, which Birkin regularly carried with her and customised with stickers, is engraved with the initials J.B. and has several unique features, including closed metal rings, a non-detachable shoulder strap and a built-in nail clipper. Its condition "reflects the many years of use by the actress and singer", Sotheby's said beforehand. A slightly differently sized version of the original has become the flagship product of the immensely profitable family-owned Hermès ever since. Produced in very limited numbers, the bag has maintained an aura of exclusivity and is beloved by celebrities from the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez to Victoria Beckham. Frustrated fashionistas in America even sued Hermès in a class-action suit in California last year after they were refused access to the bags. Birkin had a sometimes strained relationship with Hermès, once threatening to take her name off the bags because of the group's treatment of crocodiles whose skins are used for its products. The former wife of French singing legend Serge Gainsbourg championed a host of causes, including animal rights.
