Summary
A handbag known as the original Birkin bag, first drawn on an airplane bag in the 1980s, was sold for 7 million euros ($8.2 million) at a Paris auction. This is the highest amount ever paid for a handbag at auction. The bag was initially created for Jane Birkin by Hermès after a conversation with its former head, Jean-Louis Dumas.
Key Facts
- The original Birkin bag was sold for 7 million euros (about $8.2 million) at auction.
- This amount set a new record for the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction.
- The bag was initially designed for Jane Birkin, a singer and actress, in the 1980s.
- Bidding began at 1 million euros and reached 7 million euros; with fees, the total was 8.6 million euros ($10.1 million).
- The bag has special features unique to this model, like a nonremovable shoulder strap and a nail clipper.
- The idea for the Birkin bag came from a chance meeting on a flight between Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, the then-head of Hermès.
- The Birkin bag is now known as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity worldwide.
