Jane Birkin’s Original Hermès Bag Sells for Rs 86 Crore at Paris Auction

Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag has sold for a staggering Rs 86 crore at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, setting a new world record for the most expensive handbag ever sold. The worn leather bag, famously adorned with stickers and charms, was used daily by the actress and singer for years and became the inspiration behind the iconic Birkin line.

This isn’t just any Birkin, it’s the original prototype, custom-made for Birkin in 1984 after a chance meeting with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight. She had mentioned struggling to find a stylish yet practical handbag, prompting Dumas to sketch the now-iconic design mid-air.

The black leather bag shows clear signs of use. Covered in stickers, charms, and even a nail-clipper, it reflects Birkin’s personal style, unpolished, lived-in, and full of character. Her initials are stamped under the flap, and the bag includes custom features not seen in later models.

Bidding started at €1 million and quickly climbed during a tense ten-minute contest among nine buyers. It eventually sold for €8.58 million (around ₹86 crore) to a private Japanese collector.

The sale smashed the previous record for a handbag and became the most expensive fashion accessory ever sold in Europe. Proceeds from the auction will go to charities Birkin supported, including those focused on women's rights, AIDS awareness, and migrant aid.

Jane Birkin used the bag daily for nearly a decade before donating it for charity. Its journey from a practical accessory to a museum-worthy artefact now cements both its historical and cultural value.