The Hermès Birkin is one of the most iconic luxury creations of all time. A bag that has transcended its material value to become a cultural symbol and an investment. This December, one of its most personal iterations, Jane Birkin’s own black Hermès Le Birkin Voyageur, will take centre stage at Sotheby’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, presented in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Sotheby's. The live auction takes place at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort on December 5, with an estimated value of $240K-$440K.

Following the record-breaking sale of Birkin’s original Hermès prototype in Paris earlier this year which fetched $10.1 million, Le Birkin Voyageur offers something more intimate: a window into Birkin’s creative and emotional world. Gifted to her by Hermès in 2003, this 40-centimetre black box leather Birkin is one of only four Birkins she personally owned. It became her constant companion for four years, worn, loved, and filled with the objects of daily life. What makes it extraordinary are Birkin’s personal inscriptions and drawings in silver ink, including poetic messages inside the pockets such as “Mon Birkin bag qui m’a accompagné dans le monde entier” or “My Birkin bag, my globetrotting companion.”

Aurélie Vassy, Associate Specialist of Handbags & Accessories at Sotheby’s Paris, explains: “The Birkin Voyager stands out as a deeply personal and rare artefact linking Jane Birkin’s life, creativity, and generosity. It carries handwritten messages and intimate drawings, including secret sketches inside pockets, reflecting Birkin’s creativity and emotional attachment. The bag was auctioned in 2007 for charity, reinforcing Birkin’s legacy of generosity alongside her personal story.”

Crafted in black calf box leather, the bag features closed metal rings, a detail added by Hermès exclusively to Birkin’s personal collection. “Its size and leather align with Birkin’s consistent style preferences,” adds Vassy. “The personal inscriptions elevate the bag’s storytelling, giving it a character distinct from the original Birkin or other bags she owned.” Subtle imperfections and worn leather only enhance its allure, proof of a life well lived.

The sale also marks a milestone for Sotheby’s as Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week debuts as part of the UAE’s growing cultural and luxury calendar. “Abu Dhabi was strategically chosen due to its rising role as a cultural hub with a young, engaged collector base,” says Vassy. “In 2024, nearly 40% of UAE bidders at Sotheby’s auctions were under 40, with over one-third new to Sotheby’s, signalling strong growth in emerging collectors.”

This new generation values connection and storytelling as much as prestige. “They are eager not just to buy but to engage and learn about luxury items,” Vassy adds. “The auction highlights both the item and the cultural narratives that resonate with regional collectors.”

Beyond its emotional resonance, the sale reinforces Hermès’s dominance in collectable luxury. “The handbag market has shifted from quantity-based buying to rarity and story-driven collecting,” Vassy notes. “Collectors now prioritise provenance, craftsmanship, and storytelling. The Birkin Voyager exemplifies these values.”

With Sotheby’s having sold nearly $2.2 billion worth of Hermès handbags and accessories since 2021, Le Birkin Voyageur arrives at a moment when demand for meaningful luxury is at its peak. “Hermès remains the ‘king’ of handbag investment,” Vassy observes. “Its exclusivity ensures its position as a safe and prestigious investment.”

From Paris to Abu Dhabi, the sale of Le Birkin Voyageur brings Jane Birkin’s story full circle, a legacy that began with a chance encounter on an aeroplane in 1984 and continues to inspire collectors around the world. “The Birkin Voyager stands as a deeply personal reflection of Jane Birkin herself. Her creativity, her travels, and her generosity,” Vassy concludes. “It’s not only a luxury object but a part of her story, one that continues to move and inspire.”

Abu Dhabi Collectors Week will take place at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi from December 2 to 5. The Live Auction will take place on December 5, with the bag being available for viewing from December 2.