The legend of the Birkin bag begins with serendipity and fateful events. Before its creation, Hermes had already established itself as a prestigious purveyor of luxury leather goods, catering to the discerning tastes of elite clientele. Fast forward to the present day, the Birkin has attained an unparalleled status, elevating Hermès to the pinnacle of luxury handbag design — the epitome of coveted handbags worldwide.

The captivating tale begins in 1983 when It-Girl Jane Birkin serendipitously encountered Jean-Louis Dumas, the artistic director and CEO of Hermes. This fateful meeting marked the genesis of the Jane Birkin bag, and the stratospheric fame began, showing no signs of slowing down.

WHO WAS JANE BIRKIN?

Jane Birkin, a multi-talented English-French actress, singer, and model, emerged as a genuine fashion icon during the 1960s through the 1980s. She was all about the blend of natural beauty, a playful and androgynous style, and a candid expression of sexuality. Beyond her individual fame, Birkin garnered widespread recognition for her ten-year romance with Serge Gainsbourg, a revered French singer, writer, director, and poet, widely celebrated as a prominent figure in French pop culture. Together, they share a daughter, the accomplished actress and singer, Charlotte Gainsbourg, adding to their captivating legacy. According to Jane, a twist of fate occurred in 1983 when Jane Birkin found herself unexpectedly upgraded to first class, seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the artistic director and CEO of Hermès.

As she stored her characteristic wicker basket straw bag in the overhead compartment, fate intervened, causing all the contents to spill out in front of Dumas, including her treasured Hermès diary. In a helpful gesture, Dumas assisted her in collecting her belongings, playfully remarking that she needed a handbag with more pockets. To this, the actress responded that the day Hermès designed a spacious, everyday bag that could accommodate all the necessities a busy mother carries, she would gladly replace her beloved oversized basket with it. She further expressed her struggle to find a bag that would offer both ample space, security, and style to meet her requirements.

After gathering valuable insights from Birkin herself, Dumas sketched the very first concept of the bag on an airplane sickness bag. Little did they know that this unassuming start would lead to the creation of the luxurious handbag that would eventually conquer the world.

Just a year later, in 1984, the inaugural Birkin bag made its debut. With its spacious interior, it became the perfect choice for jet-setters, while the lock provided a secure closure during travels. The bag's clean lines, minimalist elegance, and casual charm mirrored Birkin's distinctive personal style. She received a personalized 40cm Birkin, which she adorned with her own unique stickers. Initially priced at approximately $2,000, the bag rapidly gained popularity.

In 2011, an extraordinary event unfolded when Jane Birkin decided to sell her original and well-loved bag at auction. The bag's history and connection to the iconic actress made it highly sought-after, leading to a remarkable final bid of over $162,000. The proceeds from this auction were dedicated to supporting earthquake relief efforts in Japan, adding yet another remarkable chapter to the Birkin bag's captivating history.

Since its inception, the Jane Birkin bag has been presented in an array of luxurious leathers and captivating colors.

However, it is the limited edition styles that stand as the most coveted gems in Birkin bag history. These exclusive designs are released in exceedingly limited quantities, perfectly aligning with Hermès' strategic approach to scarcity. This tactic fuels both demand and price, making these limited editions highly sought-after treasures among fashion connoisseurs and collectors alike.

• 2009 Shadow Birkin
• 2010 So Black Birkin and Kelly Bags
• 2010 The Himalaya Birkin
• 2012 Club Birkin
• 2012 The Ghillies Birkin
• 2017 The Touch Birkin
• 2018 Tressage Birkin
• 2019 The Faubourg Birkin
• 2020 The Sunrise Rainbow Birkin
• 2020 Cargo Birkin
• 2021 Picnic Birkin
• 2021 The Birkin 3EN1