Jane Birkin's Beloved Hermès Tote Fetches $10.1 Million, Setting a New Record for the Most Expensive Handbag

Record Auction Price: The original Hermès Birkin bag, made for Jane Birkin, sold at Sotheby's in Paris for €8.6 million ($10.1 million), setting a record as the most valuable handbag ever auctioned.

Unique Design Origins: The bag was designed during a flight in 1984 when Birkin expressed her need for a practical bag, leading to a handcrafted prototype that featured personal touches like her initials and nail clippers.

Bidding Process: The auction saw intense bidding starting at $1.2 million, quickly escalating past $5.85 million, with the final price surpassing the previous record of $513,040 for a Hermès Kelly bag.

Cultural Preservation: The winning bidder, Shinsuke Sakimoto, plans to preserve the bag as a cultural asset rather than reselling it, reflecting a commitment to protecting luxury heritage and sustainability.