Jane Birkin's Original Hermès Bag Breaks Auction Records
The original Hermès Birkin bag, created for Jane Birkin in 1984, sold for over $10 million at a Paris auction, setting new records in luxury fashion.
Overview
- The original Hermès Birkin bag, made for Jane Birkin in 1984, sold for €8.6 million ($10.1 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris.
- The auction featured a heated bidding war among nine collectors, culminating in a record-breaking sale price.
- This bag is now the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction and the second-most valuable fashion item globally.
- Originally auctioned in 1994 for AIDS research, the bag has a rich history and has changed hands multiple times.
- The Birkin bag is an iconic luxury accessory, with its unique design and connection to humanitarian causes enhancing its value.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Birkin bag's auction as a significant cultural event, emphasizing its luxury status and historical context. They highlight Jane Birkin's legacy and the bag's evolution into a symbol of wealth. Implicit biases suggest admiration for high-value items while critiquing consumerism's impact on society.
"The very first of the famed Hermès Birkin handbags, owned by actor Jane Birkin, sold at auction on Thursday for $10.1 million dollars."
NBC News"The original Hermès Birkin bag once worn by late actor and singer Jane Birkin has been auctioned off in Paris for over $10 million, making it the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction, Sotheby's said Thursday."
CBS News"The original Birkin bag, which set the template for arguably the most coveted accessory in fashion history, has been bought for €8.6m (£7.4m; $10.1m), becoming the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction."
BBC News"The unique and original Birkin bag that fashion house Hermès made for actor and singer Jane Birkin sold for 7 million euros or $8.2 million at auction in Paris."
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FAQ
The Birkin bag was created after actress Jane Birkin met Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London in 1984. She expressed her need for a functional yet stylish bag, leading to the design of the Birkin.
The original Birkin bag has a unique design that distinguishes it from later versions. It was made to Jane Birkin's specific requirements and has a distinct history in the luxury fashion market.
The original Birkin bag sold for a record 7 million euros, while current Birkin bags start at around $9,000 for a Birkin 25 in Togo leather.
History
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