Jane Birkin

Here’s the woman who started the whole “Birkin bag” mania. Singer Jane Birkin gained fame in London in the swinging 60’s and moved to France and became a huge star. In 1982 she was on a plane seated next to eh CEO of Hermes, and when she stowed her handbag in the overheaed compartment, the contents fell out on the floor. She complained that she had a hard time finding a leather weekend bag she liked. In 1984 the CEO created the handmade bag for her and it immediately became highly collectible and a symbol of conspicuous consumption because it was so expensive and hard to get – the company had waiting lists! And the price goes up to $150,000. For a HANDBAG! Anyway, Jane, 66, is still performing – and just appeared in London. Click “>HERE to listen to Jane’s hit “Je T’aime,…Moi Non Plus.”

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News