It’s official: the most iconic handbag of all time has just rewritten fashion auction history. The legendary Hermès Birkin once owned by Jane Birkin has been sold in Paris for a staggering €8.6 million, including taxes. It’s now the most expensive bag ever auctioned, and the second most valuable fashion item sold, following the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
This wasn’t just any Birkin. It was the very first ever created, custom made in 1984 for Jane Birkin herself after a chance encounter with Hermès creative director Jean-Louis Dumas. The two met on a flight from Paris to London, where Birkin lamented the lack of a bag that was both practical and chic. Dumas sketched a design on an airsickness bag—and a fashion icon was born.
What makes this bag even more special is its lived-in quality. Unlike the many untouched Birkins locked away in collections, this one tells a story: engraved initials, NGO stickers, scratches on the leather, even a slightly broken zipper. Flaws that, in the eyes of collectors, made it even more valuable and authentic.
The sale was quick but competitive: nine bidders fought for the piece, and in under ten minutes, it was sold to an anonymous Japanese collector participating via phone.
Beyond the price tag, this auction marks a cultural moment. The Birkin is more than a luxury item—it’s a symbol of craftsmanship, heritage, and personal style. And no one embodied that spirit quite like Jane Birkin.
Exactly one year after her passing, this historic sale becomes a heartfelt tribute to her legacy and to a handbag that continues to enchant the fashion world.