Jane Birkin's original Birkin bag sells for $10 million at auction
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Original Birkin Bag Sells for Record $10.1 Million at Auction
Above: Jane Birkin's original Birkin at Sotheby’s on July 3, 2025, in Paris, France. Image copyright: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This astronomical price reflects the bag's unique historical significance and the enduring power of luxury fashion as an investment. The original Birkin represents the genesis of modern "it" bag culture, demonstrating how authentic provenance can drive extraordinary demand among collectors. The record-breaking sale validates the luxury market's resilience and appetite for one-of-a-kind pieces with compelling backstories.
Narrative B
The staggering price tag for a well-worn handbag highlights the fashion world's increasingly ostentatious trends and the disconnect between luxury pricing and practical value. This sale exemplifies how artificial scarcity and celebrity association can inflate prices beyond reason, creating exclusivity that serves only the ultra-wealthy while ordinary consumers face economic pressures.