Jane Birkin’s Original Hermès Birkin Just Sold For Over $10M At Auction

If there’s one item that stands out in fashion history, it has to be the Hermès Birkin. Brought to life by its namesake, actress and singer Jane Birkin, the handbag has long been synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship. And now, the original bag once owned by Jane Birki has again boosted its icon status – selling for a hefty $10.1 million (€8.6 million) at auction. Here’s the rundown from Sotheby’s Fashion Icons auction.

Sotheby’s Auctions The Original Birkin For $10.1M

‘There is no doubt that the original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind — a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most refined way possible,’ said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s Global Head of Handbags and Fashion. It’s probably why the excitement was so high for the auction house’s most recent sale: the coveted accessory led the Fashion Icons auction on 10 July 2025.

‘Jane Birkin’s bag going up for auction is hugely influential,’ said Hanushka Toni, founder and CEO of preloved luxury destination Sellier. ‘We’re not just talking about a Birkin, we’re talking about the original – Jane’s personal bag and one that sparked a global icon.’

The original Birkin was commissioned in 1984 exclusively for (and in collaboration) with Jane Birkin by then-Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas – more on that story here – and later sparked its own fashion phenomenon.

The original Birkin bag owned by Jane Birkin

Indeed, Birkins are more coveted than ever, thanks to their superb craftsmanship, pop culture relevance and strict exclusivity. It’s even been highlighted by preloved luxury experts that the price of a secondhand Birkin now doubles its brand new counterpart, thanks to this demand.

Speaking on the original Birkin bag, Toni explains how, ‘Jane Birkin had this irreverent, almost throwaway relationship with her Birkin bags. She wasn’t precious about them and let them wear and soften with time. She lived in them, and that’s exactly why it became what it is today. It wasn’t a status symbol – it was a reflection of her style and personality.

‘To see her original bag come to auction is monumental because it’s the very piece that birthed one of the most iconic and desirable accessories in fashion history,’ she continues. ‘It blurs the line between handbag and cultural artefact – for private collectors, this will be a must-have, but I imagine museum curators and fashion historians will also want to snap this up.’

But only one person was able to get their hands on the original. ‘It is incredible to think that a bag initially designed by Hermès as a practical accessory for Jane Birkin, has become the most desirable bag in history and will most likely continue to be so for many years to come,’ mused Halimi. ‘The prototype that started it all carries a soul and legacy that no other handbag can claim.’

How Much Did The Original Birkin Sell For At Auction?

The bidding started high at $1.7 million (€1 million) – and is said to have prompted a gasp from the room at Sotheby’s Paris. This figure was not only far above the expectation for a first bid, but also a record breaker; it surpassed the world record for a handbag sold at auction, with the previous title being held by the 2021 sale of the Hermès White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28 at $513,040.

But it’s not a surprise, as Toni predicted ahead of the sale: ‘Previous bags from Jane Birkin’s collection have sold around the £150k mark; however, I imagine we will see this one hit the high six figures, potentially even pushing seven,’ confirms Toni. ‘On top of the fact that this Le Birkin is the only one of its kind in the world and is the original prototype of the iconic design we know and love today, it was the first Birkin ever given to Jane and still bears traces of her use.

‘There’s a serious emotional and cultural value attached to this piece, which always commands a premium,’ she adds. ‘It carries the same cultural weight as moments like Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe’s dress or the Princess Diana dress and pearl jewellery auctions. These kinds of sales mark a shift in the market – they remind us that fashion isn’t just about what we wear, it’s about the legacy we leave behind.’

In the end, the bidding war pushed the original Birkin to sell for $10.1 million (€8.6 million) at auction – much to the surprise of its previous owner.

‘I am astonished at the result but, as a passionate collector myself, I am first and foremost profoundly moved by the way other collectors have invested so much fervour in trying to acquire what they clearly desired beyond words,’ said Catherine B, the bag’s previous owner. ‘It made me relive my own bidding battle, 25 years ago, and how raw and indescribable the feeling of winning over this wonderful bag was. I’m already very nostalgic at the thought of knowing the bag is no longer mine but extremely happy it has found a new loving home. I wish the new owner as much happiness as I experienced with it.’

Who Won It?

Nine bidders competed in a 10-minute bidding battle, with bids coming in over the phone, online and in person at Sotheby’s Paris. But in the end, it was a private collector from Japan who bagged the original Birkin.

‘The spectacular sale of the Original Hermès Birkin today at Sotheby’s Paris marks an important milestone in the history of fashion and the luxury industry more widely,’ commented Halimi. ‘It is a startling demonstration of the power of a legend and its capacity to ignite the passion and desire of collectors seeking exceptional items with unique provenance, to own its origin.

‘The Birkin prototype is exactly that, the starting point of an extraordinary story that has given us a modern icon, the Birkin bag, the most coveted handbag in the world. The sale of the Original Birkin is also, ultimately, a celebration of the enduring spirit and appeal of its muse, Jane Birkin.’

Auction Details

Jane Birkin’s original Birkin bag was sold as part of Sotheby’s first Fashion Icons sale. Bidding opened online from Thursday 26 June and closed on Thursday 10 July 2025.

The online-only sale also presented a curated selection of items that explored fashion trends from the 1950s up to the 2010s, featuring creations by globally recognised designers like Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaïa.

Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing the black sheep wool jumper to Windsor Polo, June 1981. (c) Tim Graham, Getty Images

‘There are rare moments in the world of fashion when an object transcends trends and becomes a legend. Jane Birkin’s Original Birkin bag is such a moment,’ added Halili. ‘A true unicorn in the world of fashion and accessories, this iconic handbag stands shoulder to shoulder with other exceptional items with similarly dazzling provenance – such as Princess Diana’s symbolic Black Sheep Sweater and Freddie Mercury’s Crown and Cloak, both of which set outstanding benchmarks for items of their kind. Like them, the Original Birkin holds the potential to redefine records, but above all, our priority is ensuring it finds a new home worthy of its iconic status and legendary history.’

Find Out More

Bidding is now closed, but you can see all the lots from the Fashion Icons sale at sothebys.com or read up on the history of the original Birkin bag here.