Little-known story about the $10 million Hermès Birkin bag, the most expensive in history

(Dan Tri) - The first Hermès Birkin bag set a record when it was sold for more than 10 million USD at an auction in July, becoming one of the most expensive fashion items ever sold.

Fashion item surpasses $10 million mark

On November 12, Valuence Japan introduced to the media in Tokyo (Japan) the first Birkin bag - a model designed exclusively for the late actress Jane Birkin and considered a global fashion icon.

Previously, the bag was purchased by Shinsuke Sakimoto, CEO of Valuence Holdings Inc., at a Sotheby's auction in Paris (France) in July. With a total value of 10.1 million USD after fees, this is the most expensive Hermès bag ever sold at auction, surpassing the record of the Hermès White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28 model in 2021.

The first Birkin bag, designed exclusively for the late actress Jane Birkin, sold for more than $10 million at auction in July (Photo: Reuters).

The leather accessory, described at the auction as “absolutely unique” and “the most famous bag of all time,” started at $1.17 million and quickly soared as phone bidders and fierce competition ensued.

The buyer was initially kept anonymous, only known as a Japanese collector. However, Sakimoto later came out himself, calling it a “personal milestone” and a “defining moment” for Valuence, the company he founded in 2011.

“The value of the product is not only in the price, but also in the story and philosophy of the brand,” Sakimoto shared. The bag will not be resold but is expected to be displayed in museums and exhibition spaces for the public to admire.

The birth of a fashion icon

The Birkin bag was created in 1984 when Hermès designed it exclusively for Jane Birkin, a British artist born in London. Her initials “JB” were engraved under the bag’s clasp. A year later, the bag was completed and delivered to Birkin.

From the success of the custom-made bag, Hermès began producing miniature versions, making the Birkin an iconic bag, helping to bring the French fashion house to global fame.

Jane Birkin and the world's first Hermès Birkin handbag (Photo: Vogue).

The story originated from a chance meeting between Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas - then CEO of Hermès - on a flight to London (UK) in the 1980s.

When she dropped her things on the floor, Birkin complained about the lack of a bag large enough to use. She used a sick bag to sketch out her ideal. The idea inspired Dumas to design her own bag. When Hermès asked if she could commercialize the bag under her name, Birkin agreed.

According to auction house Sotheby's, the first Hermès Birkin is a “unique piece of fashion history”, transforming from a utilitarian accessory into a pop culture phenomenon that represents refined luxury.

The original Hermès bag for Jane Birkin was handcrafted, with gold-plated brass, bottom studs, and other details different from the commercial versions. It was also the only Birkin with a fixed shoulder strap, meeting the artist’s frequent travel needs. She also included a nail clipper because she “doesn’t like long nails.”

Later, many Hermès Birkin product lines were born and became coveted fashion items (Photo: Vogue Teen).

Jane Birkin kept the original bag for 10 years, before auctioning it off to raise money for AIDS relief in 1994. It was sold again in 2000 and has been privately owned ever since. The previous owner, Catherine B., described it: “It has all the characteristics of a star. Its price reflects the Hermès story, far beyond an accessory.”

Jane Birkin - the person who gives life to the world's most expensive bag

Decades after her heyday in the 1970s, Jane Birkin’s influence on fashion has not diminished. She is a British actress and singer who became famous in France. Jane is famous for her free-spirited beauty and minimalist yet attractive style, and is considered one of the fashion icons of the 20th century.

Unlike many celebrities, Birkin prioritizes the usefulness of her belongings. Before having her own handbag, she appeared everywhere with a simple wicker basket. On the streets of Paris (France), Birkin was always associated with messy hair, a tight T-shirt, old jeans and a wicker basket filled with all her belongings, a contrasting image, praised as a breath of fresh air at that time.

Birkin's style encourages women to embrace imperfection and let fashion serve them. Her favorite formula of minimalist T-shirts and classic jeans has become a key inspiration for many fashion houses such as Celine, Saint Laurent and Khaite.

Jane Birkin owns 5 Hermès Birkin bags and turns them into everyday items instead of luxury fashion items (Photo: Pinterest).

Even the world’s most expensive bag, the Birkin, is used as an everyday item. She applies stickers, hangs key chains, leaves it messy, and even attaches toys to it. This challenges traditional notions of luxury, turning a bag worth a fortune into a personal possession.

Throughout her life, Jane Birkin only owned 5 Birkins, a number considered small compared to her position. She once said: "I don't like to have too many bags. Any bag that accompanies me goes through the same journey, from the plane's hold to being deformed from overuse."

Despite being the soul of the bag line, Jane Birkin once asked Hermès to change the product name after PETA warned about the exploitation of crocodile skin. Hermès later affirmed its commitment to ethical care and exploitation at partner farms.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/chuyen-it-biet-ve-tui-hermes-birkin-gia-10-trieu-usd-dat-nhat-lich-su-20251114102340271.htm