Lesser-known facts about the original Birkin bag that goes on sale at Sotheby’s

The original Birkin bag, owned by and designed for legendary British actress Jane Birkin, is headlining Sotheby’s Fashion Icons sale, which began on June 26 and closes on July 10.

From the Lady Dior to the Chanel Classic Flap, the Hermès Birkin bag stands in good stead to be named one of the world of luxury’s most iconic handbags. Fans of the 2000s show Gilmore Girls will remember when Rory was unknowingly gifted a Rose Tyrien Ostrich Birkin bag, which can be purchased second-hand for the small price of HK$353K.

As the story famously goes, some 40 years ago, Jane Birkin was on a flight from Paris to London, where she met Jean-Louis Dumas, the then CEO of the fashion house. The straw bag she was using as a handbag fell over, spilling the contents onto the floor; she complained that she had yet to find an elegant yet practical leather weekend bag. Dumas sketched the design on a travel sickness bag, and voilà, the Birkin bag was born.

In the run-up to the auction of luxury’s favourite bag, here are five facts you may not have known about the original Birkin

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Jane Birkin had a nail clipper on a chain hanging inside the bag

Jane Birkin famously personalized her Birkin bag with an array of accessories, reflecting her personal style (Photo: Getty Images)

Never one for long nails and renowned for her tomboyish style, Birkin had a nail clipper on a chain hanging from the base of the shoulder strap, inside her bag—for easy access and everyday maintenance. The addition emphasised the importance of functionality to the actress and would be a sore sight for Birkin owners today.

The bag has a shoulder strap unique to the original Birkin

Jane Birkin with her original Birkin bag (Photo: Getty Images)

Jane’s original Birkin bag featured an ultra-practical shoulder strap that was not retained in the production of the Birkin since. One limited-edition Birkin with a detachable shoulder strap was released in the ’90s, but the original Birkin is the only version with a non-removable shoulder strap.

The British actress and French icon used it as a diaper bag

Close-up of the original Birkin bag

Unlike most Birkin lovers today, Jane wasn’t precious with her Birkin bag, and even used the original as a diaper bag, filling it with anything from baby bottles to receipts. However, in later years, she reportedly found the bag too heavy and cumbersome and is even reported to have said, “You only need one—and that busts your arm”.

Gilded brass hardware was originally used and later replaced by gold-plated hardware

The original Birkin Bag is on public display in Paris from July 3 to 9 before it goes up for auction (Photo: Getty Images)

The Birkin bag evidenced the brand’s evolving use of materials. While the original Birkin features gilded brass hardware, this was later replaced by gold-plated hardware in 1986. Eventually, Hermès would also introduce hardware in rose gold, palladium or ruthenium.

Jane Birkin personalised the bag with a range of different stickers and beads

The Birkin bag on display (Photo: Getty Images)

Jane’s original Birkin bag was heavily personalised: she accessorised it with beads and put stickers on it, particularly those supporting philanthropic causes close to her heart. The front flap is also embossed with her initials. Once it broke, she asked Hermès to make it even more practical through the use of lighter materials, though these suggestions were never acted on by the fashion house.

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