Ah, purses—subsequent to footwear, they’re my favourite equipment. I’ve just a few “life targets,” reminiscent of a Louis Vuitton Neverfull or a Chanel clutch, however there’s one bag I don’t think about I might personal—the notorious Birkin Bag by designer Hermés. Celebrities carry them, at the very least these with sufficient clout and money to get one. Their rarity will increase demand, after all, and the model has loved the standing of being each unattainable and in all places.
Not too long ago, the OG of Birkin baggage, the precise bag owned by Jane Birkin, the design’s namesake, bought at a Sotheby’s of Paris public sale for $10.1 million. In a frenzy of bidding, by way of cellphone and in particular person, the bag’s closing worth set a number of information. In accordance with The Robb Report, “It’s a startling demonstration of the facility of a legend,” stated Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s world head of purses and vogue. “The Birkin prototype is precisely that, the start line of a rare story that has given us a contemporary icon, the Birkin bag, essentially the most coveted purse on the planet.”
The bag went below the hammer at Sotheby’s in Paris, and the bidding was quick and livid. From cellphone and on-line bidders to these within the room, it was plain that the bag was a coveted prize by many. The Robb report additionally mentions a rumor that Jeff Bezos’ new bride, Lauren Sanchez, was the underbidder on the public sale. Sanchez flatly denied this, and Sotheby has not commented.
No matter the place it winds up, the bag’s backstory is fascinating. Birkin first met Jean-Louis Dumas, then the creative director of Hermès, in 1984 on an Air France flight. On the time, she carried a small wicker basket as a handbag, which spilled into Dumas’ lap whereas Birkin was attempting to stow it. A dialog ensued, and Birkin defined to Dumas that discovering a bag large enough to carry all her belongings safely whereas she traveled along with her younger daughter was troublesome.
Dumas started sketching out the bag’s options with enter from Birkin. Later, when the corporate produced a prototype, they requested the actress if they may identify the bag after her. The remainder is historical past.
The sale of the bag has damaged just a few information. It’s now the most costly bag bought at public sale. The earlier document, set by a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Returnee Kelly 28, was bought by Christie’s for $513,040 in 2021. The Birkin bag is scuffed and has residue from stickers Birkin would plaster on the edges, however that didn’t impression the worth. It’s additionally the one Birkin bag to characteristic a non-removable shoulder strap, as that’s how Dumas and Birkin designed it.
The bag has been bought earlier than, however Sotheby’s didn’t reveal the earlier proprietor or the client’s identify.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives within the Boston space. She is the creator of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep Finish of In every single place and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly Information/Essex Media Group. When not writing or strolling her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard gross sales, flea markets, and badminton.
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