You Can Get Your Hands On Jane Birkin’s Original Hermès Birkin

2 days ago

The original handbag owned by Jane Birkin is heading to auction this June

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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 Birkin is heading to auction, courtesy of Sotheby’s. Here’s everything you need to know about the Fashion Icons auction (plus, how to place your bid).

Sotheby’s Is Auctioning Off The Original Birkin

‘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,’ says Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s Global Head of Handbags and Fashion. It’s probably why the excitement is so high for the auction house’s upcoming sale: the coveted accessory will lead the Fashion Icons auction on 10 July 2025.

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.

But only one person can 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,’ muses Halimi. ‘The prototype that started it all carries a soul and legacy that no other handbag can claim.’

Auction Details

Jane Birkin’s original Birkin bag will be sold as part of Sotheby’s first Fashion Icons sale. Estimates can be given on request, with bidding opening online from Thursday 26 June and closing on Thursday 10 July 2025.

The online-only sale will also present a curated selection of items that explore 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,’ adds 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.’

You can register to bid on the original Birkin here, or check out the full sale at sothebys.com

The Fashion Icons Exhibition

Alongside the online sale, Sotheby’s plans to exhibit the original Birkin in its New York and Paris galleries – first heading to New York from Friday 6 until Thursday 12 June for a solo public display, and then joining the other lots in mid-July for the Fashion Icons exhibition in Paris.

‘We are thrilled to be able to exhibit it at Sotheby’s New York before it is sold in Paris on 10 July,’ notes Halimi, ‘just as the fashion world gathers in the capital for Haute Couture Week.’