Admire the very first Birkin bag, complete with the initials JB in honour of its inspiration, Jane Birkin, at the V&A in London.
Hermès's iconic Birkin bag is taking centrestage at the V&A in London as part of the museum's Bags: Inside Out exhibition. Running from the 12th of December to the 12th of September 2021, the show is highlighting our obsession with bags, especially the it bags that changed the trends over the years. The Baguette by Fendi, Louis Vuitton's Speedy bag and Dior's Lady Dior, they will all forever be iconic bags and they are rightly being celebrated during the show, though only the Birkin remains a true symbol of status. Designed for and presented to Jane Birkin in 1984, the namesake bag quickly became the it bag, and still remains today the accessory that represents glamour and a certain status. In 1994 Jane Birkin donated her bag in support of an AIDS auction where Catherine B, a collector of luxury bags, swooped in and as the highest bidder, walked away with the icon. Today, this very bag, the world's first ever Birkin, complete with the initials JB, is being shown off at the museum, a wonderful discovery for any fashion enthusiast. The exhibition is not only an opportunity to admire the first Birkin but also a walk through history via the timeless accessory, with bags dating back to 1558 being showcased.