By Nora Quintanilla
New York, (EFE). – Since Friday, Sotheby’s has been exhibiting the original “Birkin bag” in New York, created for Jane Birkin in 1984 by French fashion house Hermès, which will soon be auctioned off to a new owner.
The “Birkin bag,” which has shaken up the fashion world for over four decades, was designed after a chance encounter between the English actress and singer and Jean-Louis Dumas, the former CEO of Hermès, during a flight in which they talked about her need for a bag that could hold all her things.
The large black bag, on display at Sotheby’s, bears traces of its 10 years with the queen of bohemian style: wear and tear, bruises, cuts on the corners, and traces of glue from large UNICEF and Médecins du Monde stickers.
The only vestige of Birkin’s ownership, however, are her initials, JB, engraved under the golden buckle.
Birkin, who ed away in 2023, sold her bag at a charity auction for AIDS research in 1994 and was purchased for 2,000 dollars.
It was bought at another auction in 2000 by its last owner, French collector Catherine Benier, who paid an undisclosed amount and lent it to several exhibitions.
For this auction, Sotheby’s disclosed the price only to interested buyers but mentioned two similar cases as examples.
The most expensive bag ever auctioned was also a Hermès model: a crocodile leather Kelly bag with white gold and diamonds that sold for over 500,000 dollars in 2021.
Another of the most expensive fashion items was Princess Diana of Wales’s “black sheep” sweater, which sold for around one million dollars.
According to a 2016 study by the handbag resale platform BagHunter, the value of the Birkin bag increased by 500% over the previous 35 years, making it a better investment than gold or the S&P 500 index.
Specialized media outlets have noted that the trend of rising prices has continued since Birkin’s death.
Aurélie Vassy, Head of Sales for Handbags & Fashion in Europe at Sotheby’s and a connoisseur of the secondhand luxury handbag market, explained that there are very few handbags available compared to the demand.
“Many people are looking for Birkins, but they can’t find them,” Vassy explained.
Jane Birkin had five Birkin bags, which she used for practical purposes. However, given her influence on fashion, many people fell in love with the bag, and the brand created subsequent limited editions.
“There is a lot of demand for secondhand bags because this is the most sought-after and coveted bag. I don’t think that will end because the desire won’t end,” she said.
In four days, the Birkin will travel to Paris for an exhibition and auction on Jul. 10. EFE
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