Hermès' First Birkin Bag to Be Auctioned in Paris
The first Hermès Birkin bag, designed specifically for British singer and style icon Jane Birkin in 1984, will be sold at Sotheby's auction in Paris on July 10, the last day of Haute Couture Week, writes Fashion Network.
This is the same large black leather tote bag that became the prototype for one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world.
It will go on public display at Sotheby's New York galleries from June 6 to 12, followed by a final presentation at the Paris office from July 3 to 9.
The bag features the engraved initials JB. This model features the size, closed metal rings, non-removable shoulder strap and built-in nail clippers.
The history of the collaboration between Jane Birkin and Hermès began with a chance meeting between the British singer and the manager of the fashion house Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, during a flight from Paris to London. They were sitting in adjacent seats on the plane. Jane Birkin complained to her neighbor that she could not find a bag that suited her needs as a young mother. Thus, in 1984, a tote bag with a separate place for baby bottles was created, which bears the name Birkin.
Forty years later, this leather bag has become a cult Hermès product. It is produced in very limited quantities, and customers line up to get their hands on one.
Prices for exclusive items vary from several thousand euros for the simplest models to several hundred thousand euros for the most luxurious ones.
In addition to the Birkin bag, the auction will feature iconic pieces from the runway shows of designers such as Christian Dior, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler and Alexander McQueen. Bidding will begin online on June 26 and close on July 10.
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The first Hermès Birkin bag, designed specifically for British singer and style icon Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned at Sotheby's in Paris on July 10, the final day of the…
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