The original Hermès Birkin bag, the prototype that launched a global phenomenon, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's Paris on July 10. This historic piece, once carried by Jane Birkin herself, represents a significant moment in fashion history.
Crafted in black leather with gold hardware, the bag bears the initials J.B. It was conceived in 1984 during a flight when all the contents spilled out of Jane Birkin's bag. The design was sketched on an airplane bag during a conversation with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas.
The bag was gifted to Birkin, who later sold it to raise funds for AIDS research. It eventually landed in the hands of a private collector. The auction is expected to attract significant interest, potentially breaking records. The bag will be exhibited in New York and Paris before the online bidding opens on June 26.