NEW YORK (PIX11)—New Yorkers can take a glimpse at the first-ever Hermès Birkin bag at Sotheby’s New York until June 12.
According to the auction house, the bag will be auctioned off in July.
“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. A true unicorn in the world of fashion and accessories,” said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s Global Head of Handbags and Fashion. “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.”
The story of the Birkin
Actress Jane Birkin was on a flight in the '80s. Birkin famously carried a wicker basket that held everything that wouldn’t fit in the small purses of the time. During the flight, when she tried to place her wicker basket in the overhead compartment, the basket and its contents fell onto Jean-Louis Dumas, then the Hermès CEO, who sat beside her on the plane.
She shared her ideal handbag criteria with him during that flight, and the rest is history. Dumas went to work and finished the first ever Birken bag, which was eventually delivered to Jane Birkin in 1985, according to Sotheby's.
The legendary handbag will headline Sotheby’s Fashion Icons sale on July 10. Click here for more information.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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