World's rarest Hermès Birkin bags, found in the closets of your favourite celebs

Few fashion icons have transcended time quite like the Hermès Birkin—a name synonymous with heritage, exclusivity, and artisanal mastery. Born from an in-flight conversation between French actress and muse Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, the bag was created to blend elegance with functionality. Decades later, it remains the most coveted accessory in luxury fashion. With its impeccable craftsmanship, sumptuous textures, and limited availability, the Birkin has become a global status symbol. Its allure was further immortalised when Jane Birkin’s own original, worn-in Birkin—stamped with character and history—was auctioned for an astounding $10 million, proving that this isn’t just a handbag, but a piece of fashion history.

Among the modern icons associated with the Birkin, here are some rare collectables owned by some of the most influential names in fashion from around the world. 

WORLD'S RAREST BIRKINS OWNED BY CELEBS

1. Victoria Beckham: Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin

Often referred to as the unofficial global ambassador of the Birkin, Victoria Beckham’s closet reportedly holds over a hundred of these coveted creations. But the crown jewel of her collection is undoubtedly the Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin—one of the rarest and most expensive bags ever made.

Handcrafted from Niloticus crocodile leather and painstakingly dyed in a gradient that fades from smoky grey to alabaster white, the bag evokes the snow-dusted serenity of the Himalayas. It takes incredible precision and expertise to achieve this flawless ombré effect, which is why only a few pieces are produced each year. The Himalaya Birkin represents the apex of luxury—an heirloom-worthy masterpiece that blends nature’s most exquisite materials with timeless Parisian elegance, which only a few fashion connoisseurs like Victoria Beckham recognise and cherish. 

2. Kylie Jenner: Diamond-Encrusted Himalaya Birkin

A connoisseur of couture and a reigning beauty mogul, Kylie Jenner’s wardrobe is a curated gallery of fashion’s most rarefied treasures—and her Diamond-Encrusted Himalaya Birkin is a crown jewel among them. The Himalaya Birkin is a rare find that finds itself in the closet of celebrities like Victoria Beckham, as seen above, but one embellished with diamonds is even rarer. 

What sets Jenner’s piece apart is its resplendent detailing—gleaming white diamonds elegantly encrusted across the hardware and clasp, transforming the already rare creation into a wearable masterpiece. 

3. Kim Kardashian: Hermès Bandana Birkin

Never one to shy away from making a statement, Kim Kardashian has turned even the Hermès Birkin into a canvas of personal expression. Among her standout pieces is the Hermes Banda, a favourite among the likes of celebrities like Cardi B. She owns a fiery red version custom-created to mirror the vibrant hue of her freshly dyed hair—because in Kim’s world, even handbags are coordinated with moods and moments.

The Hermes handbag customised by designer Jonathan Riss' brand, Jay Ahr, is famed for transforming many designer handbags into collectable art pieces. The Hermes Bandana is inspired by Indian kerchiefs that transcends its status into a multi-cultural identity that represents something truly personal to each group. 

But her collection doesn’t stop there. Kim owns a range of custom-painted Birkins, including one famously hand-painted by contemporary artist George Condo that she is known to carry around city strolls and dinner dates. 

4. Natasha Poonawalla: Hermès Faubourg Birkin

When it comes to luxury fashion, few names command attention quite like Natasha Poonawalla does. A global style icon and philanthropist, she curates her wardrobe like a collector curates a museum, where each piece is rare, refined, and tells a story. Among her extraordinary collection of handbags, the Hermès Faubourg Birkin stands as a dazzling pinnacle of craftsmanship and couture.

First seen on her at the Wimbledon 2022, it is designed to mirror the iconic façade of Hermès’ Paris flagship on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. This ultra-exclusive bag is a work of wearable architecture. With intricate leather marquetry, rich detailing, and miniature windows and awnings crafted with artisan precision, the Faubourg Birkin is not just a handbag—it’s an objet d’art.

Natasha Poonawalla’s fashion archive reads like a rare treasure vault—featuring diamond-encrusted Birkins, limited-edition clutches, and haute couture accessories that transcend seasonal trends. The Faubourg, with its rarity and intricate artistry, is a fitting addition that perfectly aligns with her signature style that blurs the lines between fashion and fine art.

5. Nita Ambani: Hand-Embroidered Hermès Birkin

In the rarefied world of luxury, where couture meets craftsmanship, Nita Ambani’s wardrobe stands as a shining testament to refined taste, cultural pride, and global elegance. Among her enviable collection of Hermès handbags, like the extremely rare Hermès Himalaya Birkin, crafted from Niloticus crocodile skin, adorned with white diamonds and finished with 18k gold hardware, stands one distinctive collectable. 

There are few pieces as distinctive and deeply meaningful as her hand-embroidered custom-made Hermès Birkin featuring exquisite Indian motifs—a creation that beautifully marries French heritage with Indian artistry.  The bag features meticulous hand embroidery in traditional Indian patterns, lending the otherwise minimalist Birkin a rich tapestry of Indian heritage and symbolism. 

Text compilation by Lavanya Samad

Edited by Sabrina Mathews