One is revered worldwide for her classic, understated style. The other is revered and reviled for her excess and overstatement.
One got married barefoot in a simple crochet dress. The other in elaborate, six-figure Dolce & Gabbana couture.
When it comes to personal style, Lauren Sanchez Bezos has little in common with Jane Birkin, the iconic Anglo-French singer and fashion muse who passed away in July 2023, aged 76.
Frequently cited as one of the most stylish women of all time, Ms Birkin’s look of ‘French girl chic’– white shirts, boyfriend jeans and ballet pumps – is as influential now as it ever was.
For those whose style is more showgirl than chic, however, there is another way.
Rather than buying into Ms Birkin’s look, you could simply buy her Birkin bag – the original that was made for her in 1984.
Which is exactly what Ms Sanchez Bezos was keen to do, if rumour is to be believed.
Of course, rumour can’t always be believed, but the fact the 55-year-old journalist, author, helicopter pilot and mum cut short her honeymoon with Amazon owner Jeff Bezos to be in Paris at the same time as Ms Birkin’s fabled Hermes bag was due to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in the city provides at least circumstantial evidence.
Such was the interest in the ‘Fashion Icons’ auction, of which Ms Birkin’s black ‘Original Birkin’ was the star lot, that the auction itself was live-streamed on Sotheby’s website.
Frequently cited as one of the most stylish women of all time, Jane Birkin’s look of ‘French girl chic’– white shirts, boyfriend jeans and ballet pumps – is as influential now as it ever was
For those whose style is more showgirl than chic, however, there is another way. Rather than buying into Ms Birkin’s look, you could simply buy her Birkin bag – the original that was made for her in 1984
Which is exactly what Ms Sanchez Bezos was keen to do, if rumour is to be believed
Also included were rare items by Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, but the rise in tension as auctioneer Aurelie Vandevoorde finally came to Lot 8 – The Bag – was palpable.
Who would be bringing home the Birkin? A black tote still bearing the imprint of the stickers the actress had once placed upon it, making its first market appearance in 25 years.
As the opening bid was announced – one million euros – there were gasps in the room.
Anyone hoping for a glimpse of Ms Sanchez Bezos, Kim Kardashian or Katy Perry – all currently in Paris, all deep-pocketed enough to bid – would have been disappointed.
As would anyone without several million euros to hand, for after a nail-biting nine minutes and 30 seconds, the bag was going, going, gone – for 8.6million euros, or £7.4million.
The jaw-dropping battle, which took place between nine collectors, saw bids coming in from all over the world by phone and online, as well as in person.
As soon as the hammer fell, Ms Birkin’s Birkin entered the history books, becoming the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction. It also set new benchmarks for the most valuable fashion item sold at auction in Europe, and is the second most valuable fashion item ever sold.
Also included were rare items by Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, but the rise in tension as auctioneer Aurelie Vandevoorde finally came to Lot 8 – The Bag – was palpable
As the opening bid was announced – one million euros – there were gasps in the room
Who would be bringing home the Birkin? A black tote still bearing the imprint of the stickers the actress had once placed upon it, making its first market appearance in 25 years
The previous record for a handbag was held by a white Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly bag, also by Hermes, which fetched £378,000 in 2021.
And while £7.4million is an eye-watering amount for a handbag, it doesn’t top the £24million paid in 2024 for a pair of ruby slippers from the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz. The auction is further proof that while stocks, shares and property prices might fluctuate, designer handbags retain and often exceed their original value.
‘It is a startling demonstration of the power of a legend and its capacity to ignite the passion and desire of collectors seeking exceptional items with unique provenance, to own its origin,’ notes a Sotheby’s spokesman.
‘The Birkin prototype is exactly that, the starting point of an extraordinary story that has given us a modern icon, the Birkin bag, the most coveted handbag in the world. The sale of the Original Birkin is also, ultimately, a celebration of the enduring spirit and appeal of its muse, Jane Birkin.’
The jaw-dropping battle, which took place between nine collectors, saw bids coming in from all over the world by phone and online, as well as in person
As for whether we are likely to see this piece of fashion history swinging off the bejewelled arm of Ms Sanchez Bezos or a member of the Kardashian clan, their detractors will be relieved to hear that the answer is probably ‘no’.
A private collector from Japan is believed to have bought the bag, bidding by phone through Maiko Ichikawa, head of Sotheby’s Japan. Ms Ichikawa smiled confidently throughout the bidding, her phone glued to her ear.
The only other active bidder at the end was Eddie Hautchamp, head of evening sales at Sotheby’s Paris – though who he was bidding for, we will never know.
‘Wonderful bidding. Thank you very much for your bid and thank you also to your client,’ said Ms Vandevoorde. And the hammer fell, crushing the hopes and dreams of every Birkin fan but one.
