The Hermès Birkin bag, introduced in 1984, was named after English singer and actress Jane Birkin. The story began when Birkin met Jean-Louis Dumas, then chief executive of Hermès, on a flight in the early 1980s. After the contents of her basket spilled, she discussed how difficult it was to find a practical leather bag that could hold everyday essentials.
Dumas sketched a roomy design with a structured shape, handles and pockets. Hermès produced the first Birkin in supple black leather and named it for Birkin, who had become known for her distinctive personal style and relaxed basket bags. The design was more casual than Hermès’s Kelly bag, while retaining the company’s handcrafting and luxury materials.
Each Birkin is generally made by one craftsperson and can require many hours of work. It is available in different sizes, leathers and exotic skins, and its limited availability has helped make it a symbol of luxury and status. The bag’s fame is sometimes confused with that of the Kelly bag, which was named after Grace Kelly. Jane Birkin was British-born but worked extensively as an actress and singer in France, especially alongside Serge Gainsbourg.