Image Source: SPUR
In July 2024, at an auction held by Sotheby’s in Paris, France, the very first Birkin bag once owned and used by Jane Birkin herself was sold for an astonishing €8.6 million (approximately ¥1.47 billion including fees), sparking major buzz around the world.
In this article, we’ll dive into why this “legendary Birkin” holds such immense value and how it relates to the first-generation Birkin bag in our own collection—unpacking the story behind it all.
In July 2025, at another Sotheby’s auction in Paris, Jane Birkin’s personal, first-generation Birkin bag was put up for sale—and was ultimately sold for an eye-watering €8.6 million (around ¥1.47 billion including fees).
The winning bidder was a private Japanese collector. A total of nine participants joined the bidding war, which turned into a heated contest lasting around ten minutes.
The bag in question is crafted from black leather and still shows visible signs of wear—scuffs, stains, and all—making it clear that it had truly been used. And yet, despite its worn condition, it fetched such an extraordinary price. Why? Because this bag carries a story and rarity that go far beyond being “just a handbag.”
This particular bag, which was sold for a jaw-dropping sum, is the very first model of the now-iconic Hermès Birkin. Even more significant—it was actually used by the woman who inspired its creation: actress and singer Jane Birkin herself.
Image Source: SPUR
The origin of the Birkin bag traces back to 1981, when Jane Birkin happened to be seated next to then-Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. That chance encounter sparked the creation of what would become one of the most iconic handbags in fashion history.
The finished bag was later gifted to her, and from 1985 to 1994—nearly a decade—she used it regularly in her everyday life. The very bag that went up for auction this time is that original, first-generation Birkin.
Jane Birkin was known for making the bag distinctly her own—decorating it with stickers, scribbling on it with pens, and attaching badges and pins.
That deeply personal touch added to the charm and story of the piece, helping fuel the global fascination surrounding this record-breaking sale.
Image Source: SPUR
Following this recent news, renewed attention has turned to the broader history of the Birkin itself.
In fact, XIAOMA also holds a very special piece—one that echoes the very roots of the Birkin legacy.
That piece is a special-order version of Hermès’ iconic “Haut à Courroies” (HAC) bag.
The Haut à Courroies was Hermès’ very first handbag. Originally created as a practical bag for carrying equestrian gear, it later became widely used as a travel bag due to its generous capacity.
Its structure and design would go on to inspire what would later become the Birkin bag.
The model in XIAOMA’s collection features custom specifications, including a shoulder strap—something rarely seen in modern versions—and carries unique, now-uncommon details throughout.
As the recent auction price demonstrates, the Birkin has evolved far beyond the realm of fashion accessories. It is now viewed as an art piece, an asset in its own right.
The rarer the model, the more its value tends to appreciate over time—not just something to use, but something to own and pass down.
That’s why careful preservation is crucial. The condition of a Birkin—how it’s stored, maintained, and protected from humidity—can greatly impact its future worth.
This record-breaking auction forces us to ask: What truly defines the value of an object?
It’s not just rarity—it’s the human stories, the marks of time, the emotional resonance they carry.
The first Birkin stands as a perfect example: not merely a bag, but a symbol, an artwork imbued with a legacy.
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