Jane Birkin's Impact on Hermès' Iconic Handbag: The Inspiring Story, Royalties, and Her Honest Opinion

Jane Birkin's Influence on the Iconic Hermès Birkin Handbag

Jane Birkin, a renowned figure in French cinema and music, left a significant imprint not only in the entertainment industry but also in the world of fashion. She played a pivotal role in the creation of Hermès' most popular handbag: the Birkin.

Introduced in 1984, this iconic tote has become a universal symbol of status, commanding record-breaking resale prices and attracting a vast array of celebrity collectors.

In a 2020 interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Birkin revealed her influence on the brand. She recounted an encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas, a Hermès executive, during a flight. Using a sick bag, she sketched out the design concept for a spacious bag suitable for young mothers, building upon the framework of one of the brand's existing models.

Birkin explained, "I suggested, 'Why don't you create a bag that is four times the size of the Kelly bag but can be left open? Women like to have things within arm's reach to store all their belongings.'" 

Dumas took Birkin's sketch and drew inspiration from Hermès' popular Haut à Courroies bag. Eventually, he presented the actress with a black calfskin prototype of the new design and proposed that it be named after her. However, Birkin was not the first celebrity to inspire the French label, as Hermès had previously renamed its Sac à dépêches after Grace Kelly in 1977.

Birkin humorously mused during the CNN interview, "You know, when I'm gone, people might remember me for 'Je t'aime moi non plus,' but they might only talk about the bag."

The handbag personally owned by Birkin herself was featured in the "Bags: Inside Out" exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum in 2021. Her initials are embossed on the original tote, adding a unique touch.

Birkin often customized her handbag to reflect her individuality and activism. She adorned it with stickers promoting her favorite causes and embellished the handles with beads, charms, and ribbons.

Hermès reportedly paid Birkin approximately $40,000 in royalties each year for the privilege of using her name. She consistently donated this money to various charitable organizations.

Despite being the namesake of the iconic handbag, Birkin personally owned only a few Birkins throughout her lifetime. In 2014, she decided to auction one of her bags, donating the proceeds to Anno's Africa, a nonprofit organization named after her late nephew. The same bag resurfaced in 2021 and was sold for an impressive $162,000 at an auction hosted by Bonhams.