One of the most significant moments in fashion history is taking place this year in Paris: the first authentic Hermès Birkin bag, created for Jane Birkin herself, will be auctioned for the first time by Sotheby's.
As announced on Thursday by the prestigious auction house, the bag will be at the center of the "Fashion Icons" collection, which will be held on July 10.
It is a hand-stitched black leather Birkin that was specially created for singer and actress Jane Birkin, who passed away in 2023.
The story of this legendary bag began nearly 40 years ago, during a flight where Jane Birkin happened to sit next to Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermès. Their conversation about the lack of a bag that was both elegant and functional became the spark that led to the birth of one of the most famous accessories of all time.
"There are times when an object transcends its function and becomes a cultural symbol. The original Jane Birkin bag is one of those rare cases," said Morgane Halimi, director of the handbags and fashion department at Sotheby's.
Halimi compared this Birkin to other well-known objects of historical value, such as Princess Diana's 'black sheep' sweater or Freddie Mercury's crown.
“Like them, the original Birkin has the potential to change the rules of fashion auctions,” she added.
Although the estimated price has not been made public, the bag's historic status and its connection to an icon like Jane Birkin are expected to attract tremendous interest from collectors and fashion houses around the world.
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