The iconic Hermès Birkin bag, first designed in 1984 for Jane Birkin, sold in Paris for a record €8.2 million Euros (estimated 10M USD). That makes it the most expensive handbag ever sold and the priciest luxury item ever auctioned in Europe.
The sale happened during Sotheby’s Fashion Icons auction, which highlighted the bag’s cultural and artistic value. Sotheby’s called it the 'Mona Lisa' of handbags, a nod to its place in fashion history.
The bidding war was intense. For ten straight minutes, nine collectors went head-to-head for Birkin’s 'crown jewel.' Excitement filled the room as offers shot past €1 million, turning the auction into a high-stakes showdown. Sotheby’s didn’t name the winning bidder, as required by law.
Rumors first surfaced that Lauren Sánchez was the anonymous runner-up in the bidding war, even Vogue hinted that both Sánchez-Bezos and Kris Jenner had phoned in bids. However, a source close to Sánchez denied her involvement, stating she did not place any bid.
A design born from a chance encounter
Known as the 'Original Birkin,' the idea for the bag came about during a flight from Paris to London, an encounter between Birkin and then-Hermès president Jean-Louis Dumas during a flight. Birkin mentioned she needed a spacious, practical bag, and Dumas went on to design this unique piece, which would later become a symbol of luxury and exclusivity.
How much does a Birkin bag cost?
It depends on the model. A basic Birkin starts around $10,000, but limited editions or versions made with exotic materials like crocodile or diamonds can go for $400,000 or more. Size, color, leather, and whether it's vintage or new also affect the price. At auctions, they can easily break records.
Even after four decades, this leather bag continues to be the main attraction. It’s Hermès’ signature piece and the ultimate symbol of exclusivity, made in very limited numbers. Prices range from a few thousand for the simpler versions to well into the hundreds of thousands for the most luxurious. And clearly, for some collectors, no price is too high.