A luxury Hermes handbag has shattered the world auction record in Hong Kong, fetching an eye-popping $380,000. The auction house didn't identify the b
A luxury Hermes handbag has shattered the world auction record in Hong Kong, fetching an eye-popping $380,000. The auction house didn’t identify the buyer of the matte white ‘Himalaya’ crocodile skin Hermes Birkin bag which was produced in 2014 and has 18 karat gold buckles and strap loops encrusted with 205 diamonds.
The bag fetched 2.94 million Hong Kong dollars ($380,000), which is a record for any handbag sold at auction. The price flew past the pre-sale estimate of HK 1.5 million to 2 million ($193,000-$258,000) during 10 to 15 minutes of intense bidding in the auction room and from phone and online buyers.
The price surpasses the record set a year ago when the auction house, Christie’s auctioned a similar Birkin bag for $300,000. It had identical specifications but was produced in 2008.The Himalaya Birkins get their name from the bag’s color, which fades from smoky gray to pearly white, evoking comparisons with the mountain range.
The company says they’re exceptionally rare, with only one or two believed to be made each year because of a time-consuming process to dye the crocodile skin. The highly coveted bag was created in 1984 by French luxury label Hermes in honor of British singer and actress Jane Birkin. It’s famous for a stratospheric price tag, celebrity owners and a years-long waiting list.
