Birkin bag: creating fashion’s iconic accessory

In 1985, one the world’s most recognisable fashion accessories was first launched – the Birkin handbag.

Its origins have since become legend. The actress and model Jane Birkin said she was on a flight to London when her bag and contents spilt over the floor.

The passenger sitting next to her remarked that she needed a bigger bag, and offered to make it for her. His name was Jean-Louis Dumas, then chief executive of the leather goods company, Hermès.

The design was sketched on the plane’s sickbag, and the resulting leather holdall was christened the Birkin, after its inspiration.

Today, the price tag ranges from a few thousand dollars to more than $200,000 for limited design versions, and it's often seen on the arms of celebrities and socialites.

Jane Wilkinson looks back at its history, using BBC archive.

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(Photo: the original Birkin bag. Credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)