Liberty hosts Hermès Birkin exhibition

Liberty is exhibiting 30 years of Hermès' iconic Birkin bag. The French luxury house will be showing rare vintage styles to mark its anniversary with pieces from Parisian collector Catherine B, some of which will be seen in London for the first time.

On display will be rare and unique items such as a mini black Kelly bag in lizard skin, an illustrated Birkin bag by the French artist Antoine Kruk and a special edition Kelly ‘doll’ bag from 1996. Also on display will be the first ever Birkin bag, created for Jane Birkin in 1984 by Jean-Louis Dumas of the Hermès family. Considered the Holy Grail by vintage Hermès aficionados, in part thanks to the fact it was the only Birkin ever made with a shoulder strap.

During the exhibition’s dates, selected Hermès pieces will be available to purchase in the Liberty 2nd floor designer vintage department, including a special edition alligator Kelly bag, a prairie green ‘collier de chien’ belt, red lambskin leather gloves and a ‘vache naturelle’ leather Birkin.