Photography courtesy of Sotheby’s
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Sotheby’s Paris auctioned Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag; it is now the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction.
Fashion: Coinciding with Paris Haute Couture Week, an iconic fashion auction will take place at Sotheby’s Paris galleries this July—highlighted by the sale of Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag. Initially designed for Birkin herself in the early 1980s, the all-black leather bag became an inspiration for what would become one of the most iconic handbags in fashion history. Distinct from every Birkin that followed, the rare piece features unique design details and marks the centerpiece of the upcoming “Fashion Icons” sale.
Nine bidders competed for ten minutes, with the bag finally selling for over $10 million.
Beyond the Birkin, the Fashion Icons sale presented a curated collection spanning seven decades of style. Highlights included standout creations by Azzedine Alaïa from the late 1980s and early 1990s, showcasing his innovative use of leather, jersey, and denim in haute couture. Rare dresses from Alexander McQueen’s seminal collections will also be featured.
This Sotheby’s sale will also pay tribute to designers who have shaped the modern fashion landscape, with pieces by Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
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Initially planned as an online-only event, the auction has been upgraded to a live format due to overwhelming interest and excitement in the Birkin. The public exhibition will ran from July 3rd to July 9th, with the live auction scheduled for July 1th.
For fashion lovers and collectors alike, this auction offers a rare glimpse into the history that has shaped the fashion landscape today.
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by Grace Clarke
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SWOW SWAG
