Does Hermes Pay Jane Birkin?

Have you ever wondered if the famous French luxury fashion brand, Hermes, pays Jane Birkin? For those who don’t know, Jane Birkin is a British actress and singer who became a fashion icon in the 1960s and 1970s.

She is also the inspiration behind one of Hermes’ most coveted bags – the Birkin bag. So, does she receive any compensation for this?

Well, the answer is yes and no.

Let’s start with the “no” part. Jane Birkin does not receive any royalties from Hermes for her namesake bag.

In fact, when she first met with Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermes, she was not interested in having a bag named after her at all. It was only after they got to know each other better and he discovered that she had trouble finding a nice leather weekend bag that he offered to make one for her.

As for the “yes” part – while she may not receive any direct payment from Hermes for the Birkin bag itself, she has used her fame to bring attention to various charities close to her heart. In 2006, she auctioned off one of her own Birkin bags to raise money for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. The bag sold for £80,000 (approximately $100,000 USD), which was donated entirely to charity.

Additionally, in recent years Hermes has made donations in her name to various philanthropic causes that align with her values. This includes organizations that support music education and animal welfare.

So while Jane Birkin may not be receiving any direct payment from Hermes for the use of her name on their iconic handbag, it’s clear that both parties have benefited greatly from their association over the years. And through her charitable efforts and public advocacy work, it’s clear that Ms. Birkin values more than just financial compensation.

In conclusion, while it’s unlikely that we’ll ever know the specifics of their business relationship, it’s safe to say that Jane Birkin and Hermes have a mutually beneficial partnership that extends far beyond the world of fashion.