The Hermès Birkin bag is one of the most coveted fashion items on the planet.
It’s a global status symbol, regularly spotted on the arms of A-list celebrities and elite collectors. Some wait years for the chance to buy one at retail. Others shell out six figures on the resale market just to skip the line.
But for all its luxury mystique, the Birkin’s origin story is anything but glamorous.
Back in 1981, actress and singer Jane Birkin found herself seated next to then-Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. After Jane’s famous wicker basket spilled its contents into Dumas’s lap, the two struck up a conversation.
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Birkin (who was traveling with her daughter) mentioned her frustration with not being able to find a chic but functional handbag that suited her needs.
When Dumas asked her to sketch what she envisioned, she grabbed the nearest paper — an airplane vomit bag.
She did. That impromptu sketch became the blueprint for the first-ever Birkin bag.
Now, that very original bag—dubbed “The Original Birkin”—is heading to auction at Sotheby’s. And while plenty of Birkins have crossed the auction block, this one is unlike any other.
Hermès prepares for record auction of the first Birkin bag
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
Hermès faces luxury test as original Birkin hits the auction block
Sotheby’s will auction “The Original Birkin” on July 10 as the headliner of its “Fashion Icons” sale.
Crafted about 40 years ago, the all-black leather bag features several design elements that set it apart from later models—from its metal rings and brass hardware to its shoulder strap and unique zip.
It also carries Birkin’s personal initials (“J.B”) and even a pair of nail clippers hanging from the strap—a quirky nod to the bag’s working origins.
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Interest is already sky-high. Thousands have lined up to view the bag at Sotheby’s exhibitions in Paris, Hong Kong, and now New York.
“There are rare moments in fashion when an object transcends trends and becomes a legend,” said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion.
Sotheby’s hasn’t released a sale estimate, but this auction could easily test the upper limits of luxury handbag pricing—and push Hermès even deeper into cultural lore.
What the auction could mean for Hermès and luxury rivals
The Birkin bag has long fueled Hermès’ status as a luxury powerhouse. It’s both an iconic product and a brilliant business strategy.
Tightly controlled supply, long waitlists, and VIP-only access have created unmatched demand. On the secondary market, Birkins often resell for well over retail, reinforcing their status as investment pieces.
Now, the sale of “The Original Birkin” could spark a fresh wave of Birkin fever—and further elevate Hermès’ pricing power.
If this auction breaks records, expect ripple effects: surging resale prices, more aggressive marketing from Hermès, and renewed competition among luxury rivals trying to manufacture their own “iconic” status items.
The timing couldn’t be better for Hermès. As global demand for ultra-luxury goods continues to surge, the brand stands to benefit from renewed attention on the Birkin’s legacy.
Not bad for a bag that began life on an airplane vomit bag.
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