An anonymous collector bought a red crocodile Hermes Birkin bag (officially called a Hermes Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag), which measures 30cm and boasts white gold and diamond detailing, for $203150 - setting the new world record for the Most expensive purse sold at an auction, according to World Records Academy (www.worldrecordsacademy.org).
Photo: An diamond Hermès Birkin has broken the world record for highest price paid in a public sale for a handbag, selling for $203150 at an auction in Texas. (enlarge photo)
The Guinness world record for the most most valuable handbag is a '1001 Nights Diamond Purse', which was made by the Mouawad company (USA) and was valued at $3.8 million.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest shopping bag, which measured 83.82 m (275 ft) high (not including handles) and 38.10 m (125 ft) wide. The bag was made by Raj Bahadur and displayed in Gaziabad, India.
Officially called a Hermes Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag, The World's Most Expensive Purse auctioned in Dallas, Texas, measures 30cm and boasts white gold and diamond detailing.
'This is an extraordinary example of one of the world's most exceptional handbags, and this was certainly an exceptional price, exceeding our highest expectations at every corner,' director of luxury accessories at Heritage Auctions Matt Rubinger told WWD.
(enlarge photo)
The Birkin bag was created in 1984, in honour of actress and singer Jane Birkin. She had sat next to Hermes chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight and told him how hard it was to find a quality leather carry case.
Birkin has had a long career and does a lot of work for charity, but realises most people only know her because of her links to the fashion industry.
'No, (it's not a challenge) at all,' she says. 'I got Hermes to fork out for my charities once I saw the fortune they were making. A certain amount of money every year goes straight to my charity and it will continue to after my death,' she told WWD.
