HERMES

HERMÈS Birkin 35 Clemence Gris Tourterelle

About: In 1984, during an Air France flight from Paris to London, the idea for the Birkin bag was born. When actress Jane Birkin stuffed her signature basket bag into the overhead compartment, its contents spilled onto the seat and the aisle below. As fate would have it (and a fortuitous upgrade to first class), Birkin found herself sitting next to the then CEO of HERMÈS, Jean-Louis Dumas. After a long discussion about her ideal design and Dumas's recommendation of bags, the English actress scribbled a sketch of what would become the iconic Birkin. Her wish? Bigger than the Kelly bag, but smaller than Serge Gainsbourg's trunk (also from HERMÈS, of course). When Birkin later visited the Hermès atelier to admire the result of this creative exchange, Dumas gave her the finished bag in exchange for her name—and thus the Birkin bag was born.

Year: 2014

Data code: R squared

Made In: France

Dimensions: W 35 x H 25 x D 18 cm

Material: Clemence leather, grained calfskin

Color: Grey Tourterelle

Hardware: Palladium

Interior compartments: 1 inner compartment, 1 inner side compartment without and 1 inner side compartment with zipper

Exterior: Very slight color loss on the corners, fine scratches on the hardware, signs of wear on the handles, slightly dark discoloration on the back from friction with clothes

Inside: Slight pressure marks and scratches visible on the interior

Accessories: Hermès box, dust bag, clochette with lock and 2 keys, rain cover, leather booklet

Condition: Good