Another original Hermes Birkin bag sells for $2.86 mn

A rare Hermès handbag once owned by the iconic Jane Birkin has fetched an astonishing $2.86 million (2.45 million euros) at an auction in Abu Dhabi, Sotheby’s announced Tuesday. The sale comes only a few months after the record-setting auction of Birkin’s very first Hermès prototype, reinforcing the enduring allure of both the actress and the luxury accessory that bears her name.

Hermès originally designed the Birkin bag in 1984 specifically for the British singer and actress, who inspired the now-legendary piece after a chance encounter with the brand’s then-chief executive on a flight. Over the decades, the Birkin has evolved into a timeless symbol of exclusivity, craftsmanship, and status, coveted by collectors and fashion lovers across the globe.

The latest bag sold, known as the “Birkin Voyageur,” was gifted to Birkin in 2003. Sotheby’s had estimated its value at between $230,000 and $430,000, but competitive bidding quickly drove the final price to nearly six times the upper estimate. The auction house noted that the bidding process lasted 11 intense minutes and involved six determined collectors. The winning buyer participated by phone and has chosen to remain anonymous.

Inside the bag is a handwritten French inscription from Birkin herself that reads, “My Birkin bag, my globetrotting companion,” giving the piece a uniquely personal and sentimental touch that likely contributed to its soaring value. This handbag is one of four owned by the late star, who was known to part with her Birkins periodically to support charitable initiatives.

A third Hermès bag from Birkin’s collection is scheduled for auction on December 15 at Paris’s Hôtel Drouot. Entrusted to Birkin’s close friend and biographer Gabrielle Crawford, the bag is being sold to raise funds for the planned Jane Birkin Foundation, according to a statement from Drouot.

Modern Birkin bags continue to be produced in exceptionally limited quantities, preserving their reputation as one of the most elusive luxury accessories in the world. They remain favorites among celebrities and style icons, including the Kardashian family, Jennifer Lopez, and Victoria Beckham.

Although Birkin bags consistently achieve high prices, the world record for the most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction belongs to a different piece altogether: Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939), which were sold in 2024 for an unprecedented $32.5 million in Dallas, Texas.