Birkin news and archive

Another original Hermes Birkin bag sells for 2.86 million dollars

A Hermes handbag that once belonged to Jane Birkin was sold for 2.86 million dollars (2.45 million euros) at auction in Abu Dhabi on Friday, just months after the record-breaking sale of her first bag from the French brand, Sotheby's said Tuesday. Hermes first created the design for the British singer and actress in 1984 and it has gone on to...

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Business|Interview

President of Max Pawn Luxury talks pre-owned: "The younger generation has a more discerning eye"

Far from being a passing trend, second-hand is becoming a permanent fixture in consumer habits across the world. An increasing number of shoppers are taking up circular shopping habits, confirming the lasting integration of the pre-loved market in consumer preferences. With over 40 years of experience in the luxury resale sector, Michael Mack,...

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Business

Why Hermes is outperforming its luxury rivals

Hermès’ latest earnings reveal a 12 per cent organic revenue increase in its leather goods division for the first half of the year, driven by continued demand for its flagship Kelly and Birkin bags. While competitors trim forecasts and shuffle creative leads, Hermès stands as a consistent and quiet counterpoint. Unlike other luxury peers...

Fashion

The 10 million dollar bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction

The first-ever Birkin bag designed by French luxury brand Hermes for celebrity Jane Birkin sold for 8.58 million euros (10 million dollars) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris on Thursday, smashing previous price records for a handbag. The modern design classic, owned by a well-known Paris-based handbag collector, sparked a telephone bidding war up...

Fashion

Sotheby’s to auction off Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag

Auction house Sotheby’s is putting Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag up for sale as part of its first ‘Fashion Icons’ lot. The bag, typically known to be “The Original Birkin”, is a black leather prototype featuring design elements “that set it apart from every Birkin that followed”, Sotheby’s said, including a stamp with the initials...

Retail

First ever Birkin bag to be auctioned in July

The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby's said Thursday. The large black leather tote, whose design went on to become one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world, will be the centrepiece of the "Fashion Icons"...

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Fashion

How Walmart’s Birkin-esque handbag sparked a viral sensation

In the world of high fashion, few accessories command as much attention—or aspiration—as the Hermès Birkin bag. Prized for its exclusivity, craftsmanship, and astronomical price tag that starts in the five figures, the Birkin has become a status symbol for the elite. Yet, an unexpected contender has entered the fray: a 78 dollar bag sold on...

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Business|Background

The silent luxury giant Hermès and the loud legal battle over the Birkin bag

French fashion house Hermès has not only made headlines recently for its continued growth, but has also been in the public eye for its ongoing legal battles. The disputes surrounding the iconic Birkin bag not only delve deep into the digital realm, but also raise questions about artistic freedom and whether there is a right to luxury. Trademark...

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Business

PETA calls on Hermès to halt use of crocodile skin for Birkins

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has ramped up its efforts in attempting to convince Hermès to stop the use of crocodile skins in the brand’s iconic Birkin bags. Its latest call on the luxury brand comes days after the passing of Jane Birkin, the actor and singer who inspired the creation of the infamous luxury handbag. In...

People

Jane Birkin, style icon and Hermès muse, has died

Renowned English Franco style icon, actress, and singer, Jane Birkin, has passed away at the age of 76. The Paris-based Ms. Birkin, originally hailing from London, had established herself in France to pursue a flourishing career in both singing and acting. Famed for her embodiment of the enigmatic Parisian allure, Birkin's preference for boyish...

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Culture

First-ever Birkin bag to go on display in new V&A exhibition

The V&A Museum’s next major fashion exhibition will be dedicated to bags and will feature the first-ever made Hermès Birkin bag owned by Jane Birkin, alongside Mulberry handbags worn by Kate Moss and Alexa Chung. The ‘Bags: Inside Out’ exhibition opening on November 21 will showcase almost 300 pieces and will be the UK’s most comprehensive...

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Video

Video: Why Birkin Bags are so expensive

Birkin bags have become the ultimate status symbol, commanding resale prices as high as 500,000 USD for a single bag. Unless you have been chosen by Hermès, resale is likely the only option for obtaining a bag. Luxury resellers like The Real Real in New York have many options available online if you have several thousand dollars lying around....