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Jane Birkin’s original Hermès handbag sells for record €8.6m at Paris auction

Prototype for bag once owned by British-born singer and actor is most expensive fashion accessory sold at auction in Europe

Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, said the sale was 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”. The bag’s last owner, who was named as Catherine B and has not disclosed what she paid for it, said she was astonished by the result but also “profoundly moved by the way others have invested so much fervour trying to acquire what they desired beyond words”. The British-born singer and actor, who appeared in about 70 films and for more than a decade formed half of France’s most feted celebrity couple with the singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, told Dumas she couldn’t find a bag big enough for her needs.

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