Original Hermès Birkin Set for Paris Auction

Jane Birkin's original Hermès Birkin bag, custom-made for her in 1984 and regarded as the prototype for the iconic Birkin line, will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Paris on July 10 during the 'Fashion Icons' sale. The black leather bag, created after Birkin’s chance encounter with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, features her initials and unique personal touches. After Birkin donated the bag to a French AIDS charity in 1994, it was acquired by a Parisian collector and has since been exhibited globally. The bag remains on display at Sotheby's in New York and Paris ahead of the auction, which coincides with Paris Haute Couture Week. Experts predict the bag could set new auction records due to its unique provenance and cultural significance, though Sotheby’s has not published an estimate. The sale follows Jane Birkin’s death in 2023, further cementing the bag’s status as a symbol of her legacy.