• The original Birkin bag, designed for Jane Birkin, is set for auction on July 10.
• It will be exhibited in New York from June 6-12 before traveling to Paris.
• The auction is expected to generate a significant bidding frenzy due to its unique provenance.
• Previous record sales for handbags indicate the high value this original Birkin could achieve.

The original Hermès Birkin bag, designed in 1984 for the late actress and singer Jane Birkin, is slated for an auction at Sotheby’s in Paris on July 10. This prototype, considered a one-of-a-kind piece, will first be on display in New York from June 6-12 before being transported to Paris, where it will be exhibited from July 3-9. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, stated, “The original Birkin holds the potential to redefine records,” highlighting the extraordinary historical significance of this fashion icon, which was born from necessity, according to The New York Times, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.

This iconic bag came to life during a conversation between Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermès, on a flight in which she expressed her frustration over not having a suitable bag for her needs as a young mother. Their sketching of the design on an airsickness bag led to the creation of this spacious tote. The original’s unique features include closed metal rings, a non-detachable shoulder strap, and engravings of Birkin's initials. These qualities contribute to its status as a modern legend in the fashion world, according to The New York Times and South China Morning Post.

The bag will be sold in conjunction with Sotheby’s “Fashion Icons” auction, which includes pieces from established designers such as Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Its previous ownership history adds to its allure; it has been sold at auction twice before, with proceeds from one sale benefiting AIDS charities. Notably, a diamond-encrusted crocodile-skin Birkin bag previously set a record at auction fetching $377,000 in 2017, raising expectations about the potential selling price for the original Birkin, as remarked by CBS News and South China Morning Post.

As interest grows, the auction is anticipated to draw considerable attention from collectors around the world. Birkin's legacy as a cultural icon, combined with the bag's exclusivity—accessible only to a select clientele—leads many to predict that the auction will incite a bidding frenzy. This exceptional artifact of fashion history embodies luxury and artistry in an unparalleled manner, according to The New York Times, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.