The original Birkin bag used by the late British singer and actress Jane Birkin was sold at the highest price ever recorded in handbag auction history. Birkin was known to have frequently used this item from 1985 to 1994. Sotheby's website, AFP, Yonhap News

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According to CNN on July 10 (local time), a scratched and stained black leather Birkin bag was sold at a Sotheby's auction in Paris for 8.6 million euros (13,802,140,000 won), including fees. This set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a handbag at auction. The final bid before fees was 7 million euros (11,233,040,000 won). The buyer is reported to be Japanese.

This bag is the original "Birkin bag" that the French luxury brand Hermes first created for Birkin. Birkin was known to have frequently used this item from 1985 to 1994.

AP Yonhap News

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Morgan Halimi, global head of handbags and accessories at Sotheby's, described the auction as "an important milestone in the history of fashion and luxury." He said, "It was an event that dramatically demonstrated collectors' desire for legendary items with unique provenance," and added, "This sale also serves as a tribute to the enduring spirit and allure of muse Jane Birkin."

This particular Birkin bag is especially notable for surpassing the record price set by more glamorous subsequent models. In 2022, Sotheby's sold a "Diamond Himalaya Birkin" adorned with white diamonds for over $450,000 (619 million won), and in 2021, a crocodile Kelly bag was sold at Christie's auction for about $390,000 (536 million won). Previously, the most expensive handbag was a Kelly bag made of diamonds and crocodile leather, which sold for about $513,000 (705 million won).

The original Birkin bag used by the late Jane Birkin. Sotheby's website

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This Birkin bag changed hands several times after Birkin first sold it in 1994 to raise funds for AIDS research. It was previously exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This auction was held after Sotheby's client "Catherine B," who won the bag at auction 25 years ago, decided to consign it again. Catherine B said, "Through this sale, I was able to relive the vivid emotions of the bidding competition at the time and the overwhelming feeling I had when I acquired this bag."

According to Sotheby's, this bag differs in many ways from later Birkin bags. Features such as its size, metal rings and decorations, and shoulder strap were custom-made only once for Birkin, and the same specifications were never used again on other Birkin bags.

The front flap is engraved with Birkin's initials "J.B.," and her favorite nail clipper, an item she always carried due to her habit of frequently trimming her nails, hangs from the shoulder strap. The bag also bears traces of Birkin's daily life, such as sticker marks from the international humanitarian organizations Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF.

Halimi commented, "It is remarkable that a bag originally created for practical personal use has, over time, become the most coveted luxury item in history," and added, "Its status will continue for a long time to come."