The $10m Bag: Original Birkin Smashes Records at Paris Auction

 A rare Hermès Birkin bag sold for a record-breaking $10 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris on July 9, 2025, setting a new benchmark for luxury goods. 

The handbag, a one-of-a-kind piece crafted in 2015 from Himalayan crocodile leather with diamond-encrusted hardware, attracted fierce bidding from collectors worldwide, surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $8 million. The sale, part of a high-profile auction of rare fashion items, underscores the enduring allure of the Birkin, named after actress Jane Birkin, and the booming market for exclusive luxury assets.

The bag, featuring 18-karat white gold and over 1,000 diamonds, was originally commissioned by a Middle Eastern royal family and had never been used, preserving its pristine condition. Auctioneer Adrien Meyer described the sale as a “cultural moment,” with the final bid coming from an anonymous phone bidder after a 15-minute contest. 

The previous record for a Birkin was $450,000, set in 2022, highlighting the item’s exponential value growth. Proceeds will partially fund a conservation charity, though the buyer’s identity remains undisclosed. Luxury analysts attribute the price to inflation in the ultra-wealthy market and the bag’s scarcity, with only a handful of such custom pieces ever produced. The event has sparked discussions on wealth disparity and the art market’s evolution.