The original Birkin, the first ever made by Hermes for Jane Birkin crafted in 1984 is displayed during the press preview of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Sale at Sotheby’s Auctions in New York on June 6, 2025. Brendan McDermid/Reuters
PARIS—The original bag custom-made for actress Jane Birkin, which became one of the era-defining designs of the 20th century, was sold in Paris on Thursday for a record 8.6 million euros ($10.04 million), auctioneer Sotheby’s said.
According to fashion lore, the first Birkin bag was born when the Franco-British actress and singer sat next to Hermes executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in 1984 and told him she needed a stylish yet functional bag as a young mother.
