Fashion Icons: we saw the free exhibition of the original Birkin bag at Sotheby's Paris

Sotheby's Paris unveils the very first Birkin bag, designed for Jane Birkin in 1984, at the "Fashion Icons" exhibition from July 3 to 9, 2025, prior to its auction on July 10. A unique piece to be discovered without delay!

A bag, an icon, a story: discover the cult object that has marked fashion history! From July 3 to 9, 2025, the galleries of Sotheby's Paris will host an exceptional exhibition, Fashion Icons, featuring iconic fashion pieces from the 1950s to 2010. Among them, the very first Birkin bag designed by Hermès for Jane Birkin in 1984. This black leather prototype, engraved with the initials"J.B.", will be auctioned on July 10, at the close of Fashion Week Haute Couture.

This auction, initially scheduled to take place online, will now be held indoors, in response to the interest generated by the announcement of the sale of this legendary bag. Auctions have also been open online on the Sotheby 's website since June 26.

A bag steeped in history and uniqueness

The Birkin bag was born of a chance meeting between Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO ofHermès, on a flight from Paris to London in 1984. Following this conversation, Dumas designed a bag that met the actress's needs: spacious, practical and elegant. The resulting prototype boasted unique features: a non-detachable shoulder strap, closed metal rings, integrated nail clippers and a dedicated space for baby bottles.

This bag, used daily by Jane Birkin for almost ten years, was sold at auction in 1994 for the benefit of theAssociation Solidarité Sida, then acquired by a private collector in 2000. It has since been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as MoMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

A must-see exhibition for fashion enthusiasts

The Fashion Icons exhibition at Sotheby's Paris is not limited to the Birkin bag. It also features iconic creations byAzzedine Alaïa, gowns fromAlexander McQueen's final years, and a tribute to the great names who have helped redefine the history of fashion over the past 70 years, including Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Whether you're a fashion enthusiast, collector or simply curious, this exhibition offers an immersion into the world of haute couture and French luxury. An opportunity to discover rare pieces steeped in history, in an elegant and inspiring atmosphere.

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