Birkin bag, handbag produced by French luxury retailer Hermès and named after English model, actress, and singer Jane Birkin. First debuting in 1984, the Birkin bag (or simply “Birkin”) became a status symbol in the 1990s and has become known for its sizable price tag and its difficulty to purchase. The origin story of the Birkin bag has gained many apocryphal embellishments over the years, but most of the narratives begin with a chance encounter between Birkin, who was known for carrying a wicker basket as a purse, and Jean-Louis Damas, the executive chairman and creative director of Hermès, on ...(100 of 819 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!