The original Birkin bag owned by Jane Birkin sold for €8.6 million (£7.4 million) at Sotheby's, setting a record for the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction, with a fierce bidding war among collectors.
The original Hermès Birkin bag, inspired by Jane Birkin and considered a fashion icon, will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in Paris on July 10. This rare, all-black leather bag, which differs from later versions in several ways and features Birkin’s initials and a pair of nail clippers, is expected to fetch a high price due to its legendary status and provenance. The bag will be on display in New York before the auction.
Jennifer Lopez showcased a '70s-inspired look with a rare $75,000 Birkin bag during an outing in the Hamptons with her stepdaughter Violet Affleck. Violet, who wore a casual pink ensemble, recently spoke out against a proposed mask ban in Los Angeles, advocating for better health measures to combat long Covid.
Two California residents have filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Hermès, accusing the luxury retailer of unfairly withholding coveted Birkin bags from all but the highest-spending customers, in violation of antitrust law. The plaintiffs argue that they were coerced into purchasing other Hermès items before being given a chance to buy a Birkin bag, despite having spent tens of thousands of dollars at the store. The exclusivity of the Birkin bag is a key part of its appeal, but these customers are challenging the brand's practices in pursuit of the elusive accessory.
Shoppers in California have filed a lawsuit against Hermès, alleging that the luxury brand's sales tactics for its coveted Birkin bag violate antitrust laws by tying the purchase of the bag to other Hermès products. The lawsuit claims that the scarcity and high demand for Birkin bags give Hermès significant market power, and seeks class-action status, damages, and an order to stop the alleged illegal practices. Some social media users have dismissed the complaint as a problem of the wealthy.
Californians file a lawsuit against Hermès International, alleging unfair competition and antitrust violations in the sale of its coveted Birkin bags, claiming the luxury brand forces customers to buy ancillary products to gain access to the bags. Legal experts are uncertain about the merits of the case, as Hermès' practices are inconsistent and not clearly defined, making it difficult for the plaintiffs to pinpoint a specific problem with the policy. The lawsuit could have implications for consumers who have experienced gatekeeping when purchasing products, and it raises questions about the legality and fairness of tying one product to another.
Two Californians have filed a class-action lawsuit against Hermès, alleging that the luxury brand's practice of only offering Birkin handbags to customers with a purchase history violates antitrust and business practice laws. The plaintiffs claim that this practice artificially inflates the cost of acquiring a Birkin bag and limits consumer choice. The lawsuit highlights the exclusivity and high demand for Birkin bags, which can cost between $8,000 and $450,000, and the challenges customers face in purchasing them, including the need for a purchase history with the brand and luck in being offered the bag.
Kim Kardashian made a style swap at the Balenciaga fashion show in Los Angeles, trading her $110,000 Birkin bag for a Balenciaga grocery bag, a collaboration with Erewhon. The unusual purse was carried at the request of Balenciaga's creative director, Demna Gvasalia. While the exact bag isn't available for purchase, fans can buy a black nylon reusable grocery tote from the collab for $425. Kardashian was joined by her sister Kendall Jenner at the event and wore Balenciaga pantaleggings with a beige turtleneck and black zip-up hoodie.
Rapper Drake surprised an audience member at his concert in Los Angeles by gifting her an Hermès Birkin bag, worth between $10,000 and $30,000. Drake, who has been collecting Birkins for years, had previously stated that he would gift them to the woman he ends up with, but it seems he has decided to randomly give them away to strangers instead. The gesture comes after Drake caused a commotion by throwing a towel into the crowd at a previous concert.
Two unidentified travelers had a diamond-encrusted Hermès Birkin bag and $9.3 million worth of jewels and money stolen from them at a Barcelona airport. The thieves made off with a 47-carat diamond ring, a Chanel brooch, a Bulgari watch, earrings, and cash. The stolen items were later recovered by Spanish authorities, and the thieves were arrested on the AP-7 highway. In a separate incident, a California family had jewels worth up to $70,000 recovered at Boston Logan Airport after leaving them behind and quickly notifying the police.
A Russian family had a Louis Vuitton suitcase with an Hermès Birkin bag placed on top of it at the Emirates check-in counter at Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Two thieves managed to steal the bag, which contained an Hermès Birkin encrusted in gold and diamonds, along with millions of dollars worth of jewelry. The thieves were caught after being tracked by airport police and were arrested within two hours. The stolen bag and its contents were recovered. This incident serves as a reminder to always keep a close eye on belongings at the airport.
Jane Birkin, the inspiration behind the iconic Hermès Birkin bag, was known for her effortless style and contradictions. She designed her namesake bag on an airplane sick bag, combining classic French codes with a nonchalant British attitude. Birkin's unique look and confidence made her a fashion icon. Despite the bag's status symbol, Birkin herself didn't understand the obsession and found it too heavy to carry. She joked that the bag's legacy would overshadow her own.
Cardi B and Offset spared no expense for their daughter Kulture's fifth birthday, gifting her a $20,000 pink Hermès Birkin bag. The lavish celebration took place at DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey, featuring a DJ, balloons, and a costumed character. Cardi B shared photos and videos of the festivities on social media, expressing both joy and sadness as her daughter grows up. The couple's children will also voice characters in the upcoming animated film "Baby Shark's Big Movie!" Offset's second studio album is set to release this summer.
In the latest episode of "And Just Like That...", a heist occurs when Seema's Birkin bag is stolen, raising the question of whether the women in the Sex and the City universe are simply not meant to have Birkins. The episode satisfies the audience's hunger for eye-catching fashion, with notable mentions including LTW's glasses, Carrie's Loewe grief shoes, and Miranda's boater hat. Seema eventually recovers her bag, but the incident could have been avoided if she had insured it.