NON is any Birkin. AND there Birkin, the original, the prototype created in 1984 for Jane Birkin, the actress and icon of Franco-British fashion from which the famous bag takes its name. And this summer, the bag that gave rise to one of the most recognizable symbols of world luxury will be auction From Sotheby’s During the sale “Paris Fashion Icons”, scheduled for July 10th. The piece will be exhibited first in New York, from 6 to 10 June, and then in the French capital from 3 to 9 July, in view of its sale. The auction house has not provided public esteem on value, but it is legitimate to expect very high figures, considering its uniqueness and the cult that surrounds this object. The estimated value, in fact, will come communicated only privately to potential buyers. One of the other Birkin belonging to Jane Birkin was sold in 2021 for about 160,000 dollars, but the current specimen – the first prototype never created – is considered An without comparison objectboth historically and culturally. It is therefore legitimate to expect a six zeros figure, perhaps even beyond.
An idea born by chance, which has become legend
Birkin’s birth is now part of Fashion Folklore. Jane Birkin, during a flight from Paris to London, accidentally overturned the content of his wicker basket, revealing a functionality problem. His neighbor was Jean-Louis Dumas, Hermès CEO. The two discussed the idea of a large but elegant bag, By drawing a sketch on a bag for air sickness. This was born a new model, inspired by the luggage of the maison, with double handle and functional lines. The prototype was made for her, becoming not only a revolution in the design of accessories, but also a symbol of exclusivity, craftsmanship and status.
Birkin: an object out of time
The original model differs from commercial versions. Ha unique sizean internal zip of different manufacture, brass studs and a fixed shoulder strap. And above all, it carries The signs of the daily use of Jane Birkin, who did not deal with it as a museum object: He hung us with a cutting cutter, decorated it with political stickers, And he brought it everywhere. It is this lived authenticity that feeds its charm. Exhibited in the largest museums in the world – from the Moma of New York to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London – the bag now returns to the market as a symbol not only of fashion, but of a free, unconventional woman, who has been able to transform a necessity into legend.
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