Birkin Shatters Records: €8.58M / $10.1M for Jane Birkin’s Iconic Bag at Sotheby’s Paris
- Luxe magazine Switzerland
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 13
Birkin Shatters Records: €8.58M / $10.1M for Jane Birkin’s Iconic Bag at Sotheby’s Paris
In a landmark moment for the luxury and fashion world, the original Hermès Birkin bag owned and used by Jane Birkin herself sold at auction this week for a staggering €8.58 million (approximately $10.1 million). The sale took place on July 10, 2025, at Sotheby’s Paris, cementing the Birkin as not only a symbol of timeless style but also as a record-breaking collectible.
An Icon is Born
The story of the Birkin bag has long been part of fashion folklore. In 1984, on a Paris-to-London flight, actress and singer Jane Birkin happened to sit next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. She lamented to him about not being able to find a handbag that was both chic and practical enough for her everyday needs. Inspired on the spot, Dumas sketched out a design on an airplane sickness bag: a capacious, structured tote with a flap closure and plenty of pockets a marriage of craftsmanship and functionality.
That sketch became reality the following year, and the first prototype was delivered to Jane Birkin. She used it extensively, famously decorating it with stickers, keychains, and scuffs a reflection of her effortless, unpretentious style.
The Auction
Fast forward four decades: Sotheby’s brought this original, history-making bag to the block as part of its Paris Luxury Week. Bidding was fierce and lasted nearly 10 minutes, with nine bidders from around the world competing for the iconic accessory. The winning bid came from a private Japanese collector, bidding by phone, who secured the piece for €7 million at the hammer price, which rose to €8.58 million including buyer’s premium and fees (Wall Street Journal, E24).
This sale shatters the previous auction record for any handbag a diamond-encrusted Hermès Kelly that sold for around $513,000 in 2021 by an extraordinary margin.
More Than a Bag: A Cultural Artifact
The staggering price reflects more than just a love of luxury goods. As Sotheby’s specialist Morgane Halimi noted, the Birkin “is a cultural symbol, but also a personal one,” representing the intersection of celebrity, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Unlike pristine “store-fresh” Birkins that have become status symbols, Jane’s bag bore the marks of her bohemian life stickers, ink stains, and all adding to its charm and unique story.
This aligns with an ongoing shift in the luxury market, where consumers are increasingly drawn to items with provenance, heritage, and emotional resonance, rather than mere rarity.
What This Sale Means
The sale underscores how luxury collecting continues to evolve. As ultra-high-net-worth individuals look beyond traditional investments, iconic objects with powerful narratives like this Birkin are commanding unprecedented prices. It also signals the enduring allure of Jane Birkin herself, who passed away in 2023, and whose style remains influential decades later.
In her own words, Birkin once said she found it amusing that her name was attached to “the most expensive bag in the world,” especially given her lifelong penchant for understated chic. Today, her original bag holds a special place in both fashion history and in the auction world’s record books.
Sources:
Sotheby’s official Paris sale results (July 10, 2025)
Wall Street Journal, “Hermès Birkin Bag Sells for $10.1 Million at Sotheby’s Paris”
E24.no, “Jane Birkin’s Original Birkin Sells for Record €8.58M”
AHOLDENER PATRICIA
Editor In Chief
Luxe Magazine Switzerland
