{"id":10962,"date":"2023-07-19T13:38:08","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T13:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leapisani.si\/ikonicni-torbici-birkin-in-kelly-najpogosteje-kopirani-torbici-vseh-casov\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T11:31:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:31:03","slug":"ikonicni-torbici-birkin-in-kelly-najpogosteje-kopirani-torbici-vseh-casov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leapisani.si\/en\/ikonicni-torbici-birkin-in-kelly-najpogosteje-kopirani-torbici-vseh-casov\/","title":{"rendered":"The Birkin and Kelly: The Most Imitated Handbags of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week, at the age of 76, the world said goodbye to\u00a0Jane Birkin<\/strong>\u2014the British-French singer and actress who shot to fame in 1969 with her then-partner Serge Gainsbourg through their sultry duet\u00a0Je t\u2019aime\u2026 moi non plus<\/em><\/a>, instantly recognisable for her ethereal voice with a distinct British accent.<\/p>\n

While music lovers remember her for her art, the world of fashion knows her as the namesake of the\u00a0Birkin bag<\/strong>\u2014an icon of French luxury house\u00a0Herm\u00e8s<\/strong>, alongside the equally legendary\u00a0Kelly bag<\/strong>. Jane herself would often joke about the bag\u2019s fame:<\/p>\n

\u201cAt concerts, I say the bag will sing for you, because people know it better than my musical career.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The Birkin\u2019s Roots in the Kelly<\/span><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0Kelly bag<\/strong>\u00a0was named after American film star\u00a0Grace Kelly<\/strong>, who became Princess of Monaco upon marrying Prince Rainier III. In 1956, Grace Kelly graced the cover of\u00a0Life<\/em>\u00a0magazine holding her Herm\u00e8s bag to discreetly shield her pregnant belly. That single photograph turned the bag into an instant global phenomenon.<\/p>\n

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The Birth of the Birkin<\/span><\/h3>\n

The story of how Jane Birkin reimagined the Kelly is well-known among fashion lovers:<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember it perfectly! I was flying first class to London and found myself seated next to an extraordinary man\u2014Jean-Louis Dumas, the visionary behind Herm\u00e8s. I was trying to fit my bag into the overhead compartment, but everything spilled out onto the floor. I told him: \u2018The day Herm\u00e8s makes a practical bag with pockets, I\u2019ll buy it.\u2019 I wanted something larger than the Kelly but smaller than Serge\u2019s suitcase. He listened, we discussed, and that\u2019s how the Birkin was born. I was truly honoured it was named after me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

In 2011, Herm\u00e8s paid Jane an annual royalty of \u00a330,000, which she donated entirely to charities of her choice.<\/p>\n

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Price and Prestige<\/span><\/h3>\n

Today, the\u00a0most affordable Birkin<\/strong>\u00a0starts at around\u00a0\u20ac10,000<\/strong>, while rare, exotic versions can command\u00a0up to \u20ac250,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sizes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Available in a variety of leathers\u2014calfskin, ostrich, and among the most expensive, crocodile\u2014every Birkin is lined with goatskin, with the interior colour matching the exterior.<\/p>\n