Sotheby’s unveils Jane Birkin’s first Birkin bag in Paris
The first Birkin bag, emblematic of Jane Birkin, is finally unveiled in Paris, in an exceptional exhibition.
For the first time in France, Sotheby’s is organizing an exhibition of the original Hermes Birkin bag that once belonged to Jane Birkin. This legendary model will be on show in Paris from October 12 to 31, as part of the “Excellence à la Française” exhibition.
This bag, on display at Sotheby’s rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, has already been seen around the world. New York’s Museum of Modern Art showed it in 2018, followed by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum in 2020. This new exhibition celebrates an iconic object, conceived following a chance meeting between Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, CEO of Hermès, during a Paris-London flight in 1981.
The story behind the Birkin bag
It all began with an accident. Jane Birkin accidentally spilled the contents of her wicker basket on Dumas, her traveling neighbor. This moment inspired the creation of the first Birkin bag, designed to fit her active lifestyle. The final model, delivered in 1985, became a legend, not only for its provenance, but also for its unique features.
The secrets of Jane Birkin’s original Birkin
Several specific design elements distinguish this original Birkin, never reproduced on later versions. These include its size, which is a hybrid of the two usual sizes (35 and 40 cm), and the closed metal rings, different from today’s models.
The bag also has a shoulder strap, a feature that was later abandoned. It is also equipped with a nail clipper, an accessory Jane Birkin used regularly, attached to the inside of her bag.
The bag still bears Jane Birkin’s personal markings, including her initials engraved on the front flap. An activist, she also used it to display militant stickers, notably in support of Médecins du Monde andUNICEF.
A priceless collector’s item
This accessory is not just a bag. It’s a testimony to Jane Birkin’s lifestyle and to an era when Hermès redefined luxury. Today, it remains a priceless collector’s item.
In parallel with this exhibition, Sotheby’s is offering an online auction dedicated to luxury handbags and accessories, including several rare Birkin bags.
This Parisian exhibition is a rare opportunity to admire a unique symbol of French fashion and history. Paris, fashion capital of the world, celebrates the indestructible link between art, luxury and a global icon.
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