Next Week: Jane Birkin’s Original Hermès Birkin Heads To 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 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.

‘Jane Birkin’s bag going up for auction is hugely influential,’ says 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 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.’

How Much Will The Original Birkin Sell For At Auction?

Expect a hefty price tag with this lot. ‘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.’

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

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.

‘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.’

How To Bid

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 Paris gallery, alongside other lots from the Fashion Icons exhibition in Paris. ‘We are thrilled to be able to exhibit it before it is sold in Paris on 10 July,’ notes Halimi, ‘just as the fashion world gathers in the capital for Haute Couture Week.’

Address: 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France

When: Thursday 3 to Wednesday 9 July 2025