Latest news with #Sotheby'sParis
Emirates Woman
18 hours ago
- Business
- Emirates Woman
The first-ever Birkin bag is up for sale. Here's how you can buy it
For fashion connoisseurs and collectors alike, the Hermès Birkin is more than an accessory—it's a cultural artifact, a symbol of status, and, increasingly, a sound investment. Yet even for those with considerable means, securing one is no simple feat. Waiting lists stretch into years, and exclusivity is fiercely guarded. But now, the ultimate sartorial trophy, the very first Birkin bag ever created, is set to go under the hammer. Sotheby's Paris will unveil this historic piece in its Fashion Icons sale on July 10, offering a rare chance to own the prototype that launched a global phenomenon. Estimated to start bidding around $10,000, this isn't just any Birkin—it's the original, once carried by its namesake, Jane Birkin herself. Crafted in supple black leather with gleaming gold hardware, the saddle-style bag bears the engraved initials J.B., a testament to its personal connection with the British-French icon. Its provenance is as legendary as its design: conceived in 1984 during a chance encounter on a flight, when Birkin's straw tote spilled mid-air. Over a casual conversation with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, the blueprint for the Birkin was sketched on an airplane sick bag—an origin story befitting fashion folklore. The bag was gifted to Birkin, who later sold it in 1994 to raise funds for AIDS research. It eventually landed in the hands of a private collector, known only as Catherine B. Now, three decades later, it returns to the auction stage, where it could very well shatter records. Sotheby's has remained tight-lipped on the reserve price, but expectations are high. 'The Original Birkin holds the potential to redefine records,' says Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion. The current auction record for a handbag stands at $510,000, set by a diamond-encrusted crocodile Birkin in 2017. Before the Paris sale, the bag will be exhibited at Sotheby's New York from June 6 to 12, followed by a showcase in Paris. Online bidding opens June 26, closing on July 10—marking the end of an era for one collector, and the beginning of a new chapter for another. For those who covet not just luxury, but legacy, this is the ultimate acquisition. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pinterest
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The very first Birkin bag ever made is going on sale
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. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Shola Branson Shows Solo For The First Time At Sotheby's Paris
A triple-stone cartouche ring by Shola Branson, using SMO gold and ethically sourced Colombian ... More emeralds. Amongst antique Cartier diamonds and mid-century Jean Després bracelets, Shola Branson's new collection shines out in the new exhibition space at Sotheby's Paris. The Fragments collection, on show until April 12, not only highlights his fresh, chic aesthetic, it also showcases a modern approach to materials as well, through the exclusive use of SMO (Single Mine Origin) gold, responsibly sourced Colombian emeralds and Botswanamark diamonds. It's not the first time the British-Nigerian jewelry designer has shown with Sotheby's. Branson was part of the cohort of Black designers who took part in the two Brilliant & Black exhibitions in New York and London, but his first show in Paris feels like an affirmation as well as an opportunity. 'As my work matures and I continue to shape my place in the industry, presenting at Sotheby's Paris feels like a significant milestone,' he says. 'Paris is synonymous with luxury and a gateway to a global network of collectors.' A cuff by Shola Branson from the Fragments collection, using brown Botswanamark diamonds and 18kt ... More SMO gold. Despite the glitter of sizeable gemstones, the satiny gold and gentle geometry of the cartouche shape create the collection's minimalist feel. Branson, who cites sci-fi, architecture, interiors, sculpture and pottery as inspirations, spends 'a lot of time in museums looking at Ancient artefacts.' In Fragments, his inspirations combine in futuristic-feeling forms, gems set into blackened gold to create meteorite-esque texture and diamonds with supernatural sparkle that can be traced back to a single Botswanan mine. The brushed gold of their settings, comes courtesy of SMO gold, an innovative British gold sourcing company that also provides traceability to the mine, representing Branson's 'commitment to sourcing materials responsibly.' FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder The British-Nigerian jewelry designer, Shola Branson. After becoming aware of the opacity of the gold supply chain thanks in part to documentaries like Gold Mafia (Al-Jazeera), he worked with SMO to choose the Sabodala-Massawa mine in Senegal, which has made biodiversity a 'cornerstone of its operations' according to the SMO CEO, Charlie Betts. 'The lack of traceability is an issue that more people are waking up to,' explains Branson. 'Phrases like 'recycled gold' are often no more than green-washing, so as a creator I want to partner with suppliers that support independently audited, safe and responsible mining practices. This feels like a step in the right direction.' For SMO, which works regularly with jewelry brands ranging from manufacturers to makers and lists brands like Boodles, Messika, Fernando Jorge and Emily P. Wheeler as partners, it's a case of the more, the merrier. 'We are thrilled to be working with Shola Branson on his first full collection,' continues Betts. 'More than ever, emerging designers are placing greater importance on the origins and traceability of their materials. Sotheby's has long been a defining force in the jewellery industry, and we are excited that they will be showcasing Shola's SMO collection, bringing the significance of provenance to a wider audience.' Michaela Coel wearing SMO gold jewelry by Emefa Cole on the red carpet at the 2023 Met Gala SMO was launched in 2017 by Betts and his brother, Dan, as a joint venture between their two companies; Betts Group, a British refiner and bullion dealer with over 265 years of history, and Hummingbird Resources, a gold production and development company. The brothers are aiming to raise the bar industry-wide on traceable, responsible gold sourcing, by working with three responsible mines in Africa: Yanfolila in Mali, Ity in Côte d'Ivoire and Sabodala-Massawa. The gold is then refined in Switzerland, in segregation — which pushes the prices up by 2-3% versus non-SMO gold — before being supplied to jewelers as grain or pre-made parts. After building a solid foundation supplying over 2,000 jewelry producers in the UK and Europe, SMO is now expanding into the US, with Rhode Island-based C&J Fine Jewelry Makers as the exclusive distributor in North America. As they gain traction in this market, the hope is that SMO gold could reach a tipping point in the not-too-distant future. Cartouche earrings from the Fragments collection by Shola Branson, currently on show at Sotheby's ... More Paris, crated using ethically sourced Colombian emeralds and SMO gold. Back in Sotheby's showroom, the future is also top of mind, and not only for the futuristic forms of the collection. Fragments explores 'time and technology,' and I'm interested to hear Branson's thoughts on how tech is impacting his craft. For a designer who makes use of the possibilities afforded by new technologies while also upholding traditional jewelry skills for preservation, 'it feels like we are experiencing a degradation of practical skills, as more contemporary makers — including myself — pursue the role of 'designer'. [Yet] the progress of technology [hasn't always been] linear; you see golden ages of mind-bending precision followed by periods of more rudimentary craftsmanship. I find this ebb and flow inspiring and interesting.' Sotheby's Vice Chairman of Jewelry, Frank Everett, has followed Branson's career since the early days, drawn to his original approach to design 'which is both fresh and modern. As a self-taught artisan, Shola consistently brings an element of surprise to his creations, especially in the way he uses coloured diamonds. I also love the unique, warm finish he achieves on the 18K gold pieces.' 'I'm proud to contribute to the evolving landscape of jewellery,' finishes Branson. 'This collaboration with Sotheby's is a step forward in my creative journey.' And for the collectors visiting the collection in Paris, Fragments begs the question: why are more luxury jewelry brands — especially those with the financial flexibility — not making use of single-origin materials?
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jean-Luc Godard's Handwritten ‘Breathless' Manuscript to Be Auctioned by Sotheby's
Jean-Luc Godard's legacy lives on, and now, even fans can own a piece of it. The late auteur, who died in 2022, made his feature directorial debut with 'Breathless,' also known as 'À Bout de Souffle.' The iconic 1960 film ushered in the French New Wave and propelled its stars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg to fame. The film follows an American student (Seberg) in Paris who loves a dangerous criminal (Belmondo) obsessed with Humphrey Bogart. The duo later go on the run. More from IndieWire Who Wants Sundance? Salt Lake, Boulder, and Cincinnati Make Their Pitch 'Coco 2' in the Works for Pixar, with Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina Returning to Direct The only known (and previously unseen) handwritten partial manuscript for 'Breathless' by Godard is being sold at auction by the family of 'Breathless' producer Georges de Beauregard, who also worked with François Truffaut. The auction will be held by Sotheby's Paris, with bidding beginning online from June 4 to 18. This is the first time the manuscript will be offered for sale. There is an estimate of €400,000 – 600,000 as an opening bid, as part of Sotheby's Paris online auction of books and manuscripts. The lot will also include a number of photographs from Beauregard's archive, a further insight into a golden age of French cinema. The manuscript comprises 70 pages, including scene synopses and dialogue. Per Sotheby's, the scenes include the dramatic opening sequence, the scenes in Marseille, the drive back to Paris, Seberg's character Patricia selling the New York Herald Tribune on the Champs-Élysées, Belmondo's Michel entering the telephone booth and the altercation with the motorcyclist, and the famous final sentence uttered by Seberg's character ('Qu'est-ce que c'est dégueulasse?'). The film's original trailer is also mapped out in Godard's hand. 'At the age of 29, Godard directed his first film, an American-style gangster story that was to become one of the cult films of the New Wave,' Anne Heilbronn, head of books and manuscripts, Sotheby's Paris, said in a press statement. 'Without the tenacity of his producer Beauregard, who found it difficult to finance the film, it would never have seen the light of day. This rare manuscript brings together these two of the great forces behind the Nouvelle Vague, in a historic document that captures the birth of one of France's greatest cinematic exports.' Manuscripts for Godard's films are exceptionally rare, as Sotheby's is promoting, due to the director's avant-garde working style. 'Breathless' didn't even have a full synopsis or script, as Godard instead would write dialogue on each day of the shoot. The written records were also later often destroyed. The feature was filmed on location from August 17 to September 15, 1959, and released in March 1960. 'When I made 'Breathless,' I thought I was doing something very precise,' Godard later said. 'I thought I was doing a thriller movie or a gangster movie, but when I saw the print for the first time, I discovered what I'd done was completely different from what I supposed.' Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Only known manuscript of Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave classic to go on auction
The only known manuscript of Jean-Luc Godard 's highly influential 1960 film Breathless will go on auction at Sotheby's in June, the auction house has announced. Godard's feature-length debut, whose French title is À Bout de Souffle, is considered one of the most important films in cinema history for helping usher in the French New Wave, which introduced a slick and innovative style of filmmaking. The crime drama also created stars out of Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg, the latter of which became a fashion icon thanks to the role. Breathless follows a wanted criminal who tries to convince an American student to run away with him, and is a favourite of notable directors including Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. An English language remake, starring Richard Gere and Valérie Kaprisky, was released in 1983. Godard's previously unseen and rare manuscript of the film, which consists of 70 pages of every iconic moment and quote, will be placed on auction courtesy of the family of the film's producer Georges de Beauregard. The document also contains a detailed breakdown of the film's trailer as well as a number of photographs from De Beauregard's archive, a further insight into the golden age of French cinema. The producer worked with many of the great French filmmakers of the period including Jean-Pierre Melville, Agnès Varda, Jacque Rivette, Éric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol and Jacques Demy. Any sort of manuscript for Godard's films is considered to be extremely rare, a testament to his avant-garde working style. For example, À Bout de Souffle's manuscript does not contain a synopsis or script. Instead, Godard would write up the dialogue just moments before the actors would begin filming their scenes. His vision was for the actors to react as naturally as possible, and he would often even destroy these written records after they were used. De Beauregard, who died in 1984, first met Godard through another icon of French cinema, François Truffaut. The producer was convinced to work with Godard, who was a complete unknown at this point, after reading a loosely-written four-page synopsis of the film, penned by Truffaut and fellow director Claude Chabrol. Godard, whose other landmark films include Alphaville and Pierrot le Fou, died in 2022, aged 91. The lot will be placed on sale for the first time, with an estimate of €400,000 –600,000, as part of Sotheby's Paris online auction of books and manuscripts. Bidding will be open from 4-18 June.
