Jane Birkin's legendary bag to be auctioned in Abu Dhabi

The UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, is set to host a unique auction on December 5th, when the "Le Birkin Voyageur" bag, once owned by the late artist Jane Birkin, will be offered as part of Sotheby's inaugural Collectors Week.

The bag is expected to fetch between $218,000 and $400,000, making it one of the most anticipated luxury items of the year.

The importance of Jane Birkin's bag The significance of this bag stems from its connection to the life of Jane Birkin, the artist who inspired the design of the original Hermès Birkin bag. The bag, which will be auctioned in Abu Dhabi, is not just a luxury item; it is a rare personal and cultural relic, bearing inscriptions in Birkin's own handwriting in silver ink, adding a unique emotional connection to its owner's history and creative charm.

The "Le Birkin Voyageur" bag is one of four used by Jane Birkin after selling her original bag in 1994. She acquired it from Hermès in 2003 and used it daily for four years before it was sold at auction in 2007 and entered a private collection. Today, it is back on display for a global audience of fashion lovers and collectors, continuing its journey through memory and luxury.

An "exceptional" event in Abu Dhabi Morgan Helmi, head of Sotheby's Handbags and Fashion Department, described the event as "exceptional," noting that the sale of two personal Jane Birkin bags in one year offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of the icon's life that inspired the design of the world's most famous bag.

Halimi emphasized that this bag represents a blend of artistic history and personal emotion, as it encapsulates in its details the journey of a woman who influenced both fashion and culture.

Auction details The auction will be held at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, as part of Collectors' Week, organized in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), from December 2nd to 5th. The program includes auctions, exhibitions, and seminars dedicated to collectors of rare pieces from around the world. This event reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a global destination for art and luxury collecting, and coincides with a significant renewal phase at Hermès, following the announcement of the appointment of British designer Grace Wales Bonner as its new creative director for men's fashion, succeeding Véronique Nichanian after 37 years of service.