DALLAS, TX.- What goes with an Hermès Diamond Himalayan Birkin bag? Short answer: everything. But not everyone hardly anyone, in fact will ever have the pleasure of adding this elusive accessory to their collection.
The exceedingly rare handbag crafted from the hide of the Nile crocodile ranks as one of the most collectible and valuable bags in the world with or without diamonds. But the diamond-studded version, one of which is offered in
Heritage Auctions' Oct. 6 Luxury Accessories Signature® Auction, is held in even higher esteem. Featuring 18k white gold hardware and encrusted with 245 sparkling diamonds, the 30cm Diamond Matte White Himalayan Niloticus Crocodile Birkin Bag (estimate: $400,000-$450,000) offered in Heritage's October auction is a shining example of the exquisite craftsmanship for which Hermès is known.
"Reserved for only a tiny percentage of VIP Hermès clients, Diamond Himalayan Birkins are the pinnacle of any Hermès collection," says Diane D'Amato, Heritage's Director of Luxury Accessories, Private Sales & The Boutique. "This exquisite bag is a masterpiece of incomparable construction. It is truly the quintessential luxury collector's dream come true."
Speaking of collectors' dreams come true, Heritage is also thrilled to offer Tatiana Graham's exceptional collection of bags from the Dior Lady Art project. The longtime Dior collector's assemblage showcases the classic Lady Dior bag reimagined by 11 artists from every year the artist-inspired bags were created.
"The first time I saw the artist collaborations, I fell in love with the uniqueness of each of the bags," Graham says. "I couldn't decide which I wanted, so I bought three!"
Graham's bags range from the whimsical Limited Edition Multicolor Three-Dimensional Medium Lady Dior by GigiSue (estimate: $12,000-$20,000), featuring a painting embellished with crystals and silk flowers, to the dramatic Limited Edition Black and Red Medium Lady Dior by Kohei Nawa (estimate: $6,000-$8,000) and the vibrant Limited Edition Multicolor Patent Leather Mini Lady Dior by Ian Davenport (estimate: $6,000-$8,000).
Though Graham didn't plan to stop collecting Dior, a recent move with her family meant she no longer had an ideal place to showcase her handbags.
"You can't keep bags like that in boxes. They need to be seen," she says of her collection, which also includes Lady Dior bags by international artists such as Mickalene Thomas, Song Dong and Marguerite Humeau. "I hope someone buys the entire collection since there's one bag from every artist collaboration. Each one is so rare and has a story of its own, but together their story is even bigger."
Other highlights in the auction, which D'Amato describes as Heritage's "most incredible yet," include rare and highly sought-after bags by Chanel and Louis Vuitton, plus more selections from Hermès.
Standouts by Hermès include a 35cm Bleu Marine Porosus Crocodile Birkin (estimate: $30,000-$40,000), a Limited Edition 35cm Bleu Marine Swift Leather and Toile Cargo Birkin (estimate: $30,000-$50,000) and a 25cm Rouge Sellier Swift Leather Shadow Birkin (estimate: $12,000-$18,000).
Chanel highlights include a Gold-Tone Metal Mini Cage Flap Bag (estimate: $8,000-$10,000), a Black Quilted Lambskin CC in Love Heart Bag (estimate: $5,000-$7,000) and a Black Coco Chanel Playing Card Casino Plexiglass Runway Minaudiere Clutch Bag (estimate: $4,000-$6,000).
And from Louis Vuitton, there's a Limited Edition Richard Prince Turquoise Cartoon Art Firebird Bag (estimate: $5,000-$7,000) and a Blue Ostrich Mini Capucines Bag (estimate: $6,000-$8,000), one of Louis Vuitton's first exotic special-order bags.
But this auction isn't all about handbags. It also features a remarkable selection of travel pieces and other special items, including a Goyard Black Goyardine Coated Canvas Wardrobe Trunk (estimate: $8,000-$10,000), a Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Jewelry Box (estimate: $6,000-$8,000) and an incredibly exceptional and rare Hermès Ailee Mini Saddle Statue (estimate: $30,000-$40,000).