A Birkin Like No Other:

The World's First Hermès Birkin Bag Sells for €8.58 Million

On July 10, 2025, a piece of fashion history went under the hammer at Sotheby’s in Paris — the very first Hermès Birkin bag, originally owned by the iconic British singer and actress Jane Birkin, sold for an astonishing €8.58 million, setting a new world record for the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction.

This one-of-a-kind handbag, crafted in 1985 specifically for Jane Birkin, sparked the beginning of what would become the most coveted handbag in the world. The buyer? A private collector from Japan.

A 10-Minute Bidding Frenzy

As the 8th lot of the day, bidding for the legendary Birkin began at €1 million. Nine determined bidders vied for the treasure, pushing the final price to €7 million before fees — with the total landing at €8.5825 million including commission.

It now replaces the previous record-holder: a rare diamond-inlaid Himalayan Kelly that fetched HK$4 million (approx. £370,000) at Christie’s in 2021.

How the Birkin Was Born

The Birkin bag's origin is nearly as legendary as the woman it was named after. In 1981, Jane Birkin found herself seated next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight. As her belongings spilled from an overloaded straw tote, she lamented the lack of stylish, practical bags for women. Dumas sketched what would become the Birkin right then and there. Four years later, Hermès presented her with the first finished version — the very bag that just made auction history.

7 Distinct Features That Set This Birkin Apart

Unlike its commercial counterparts, this original Birkin boasts several unique features:

1. Fixed Shoulder Strap — the only Birkin in the world with one.

2. Custom Dimensions — 36L x 21P x 27H cm, blending the size of a Birkin 35 with the depth of a Birkin 40.

3. Material — crafted from all-black Box calfskin, a signature Hermès leather.

4. Hardware — made with gilded brass, unlike later models that use plated copper, palladium, or rose gold.

5. Vintage Construction — includes a closed metal ring buckle (Pontet), smaller feet, and Éclair zippers (used before Hermès switched to Riri zippers in the 1990s).

6. Personal Touches — embossed with Jane Birkin’s initials “JB” on the flap, and even includes her personal nail clippers attached inside.

7. Heritage Design — inspired by the Haut à Courroies, the original Hermès equestrian harness bag.

A Handbag with a Rich History

Jane Birkin received four Birkin bags during her lifetime. This particular bag remained with her for nearly a decade before she auctioned it in 1994 to raise money for charity. It changed hands again in 2000 and has been held in a private collection for the last 25 years.

In that time, it was exhibited publicly only three times:

• 2018 – Museum of Modern Art, New York: Items: Is Fashion Modern?

• 2020 – Victoria and Albert Museum, London: Bags: Inside Out

• 2024 – Sotheby’s, Paris: Excellence à la Française

Why It Matters to Fashion Lovers Today

At KYM, we see handbags as more than accessories — they’re cultural artefacts. This sale reaffirms what many collectors and fashion lovers already know: luxury handbags have timeless appeal, and their stories matter.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or dreaming of your first Birkin, this landmark sale is a reminder of how a single design can shape generations of style.