The luxury Birkin handbag is made by the French fashion house Hermès.
The bag was named after British actor and singer Jane Birkin. According to the familiar origin story, Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas sat next to Birkin on a 1984 flight and heard her describe the difficulty of finding a practical yet elegant weekend bag. Dumas later developed the design with her input.
The Birkin is known for its structured shape, two handles, flap closure, lock, and distinctive hardware. It is produced in different leathers and sizes, with rare skins, precious-metal hardware, and limited editions commanding especially high prices. Each bag is made by a single artisan, and the work can take many hours.
A common mix-up is confusing the Birkin with Hermès's other famous handbag, the Kelly. The Kelly was named after Grace Kelly and has a more formal single-handle design, while the Birkin was conceived as a spacious everyday tote. The Birkin's scarcity and selective distribution have also made it a major symbol of luxury and a frequent subject of resale-market speculation.