For the first time, the original Birkin handbag is on display in France, showcased at Sotheby’s through October 31. The exhibition, “Excellence à la Française,” highlights exceptional examples of French artistic craftsmanship over the last millennium. Named after actress Jane Birkin, the Birkin bag, released in 1984, has become a global status symbol, renowned for its high resale values and celebrity collectors.
Birkin conceptualized the bag’s design on an airplane sick bag after meeting Hermès executive Jean-Louis Dumas. She sought a practical carryall with pockets, inspired by the brand’s Kelly model. Dumas later refined her sketch and gifted her a prototype, which she donated to an AIDS charity auction in 1994.
The original bag is unique, featuring Birkin’s initials and gilded brass hardware. It combines the dimensions of two sizes, the 35 and 40, and includes a detachable shoulder strap. While Birkin’s minimalist style contrasts with the bag’s luxury status, her influence persists, evident in the current trend of personalizing handbags. Bernier, who acquired the bag in 2000, emphasizes that the Birkin is now seen as a historical artifact, appealing to a modern clientele far removed from its utilitarian origins.
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