Jane Birkin, the inspiration behind the iconic Birkin bag, died inside her Paris home on Sunday. The Birkin handbag was conceived by Birkin herself, who was found dead at her home in Paris on Sunday. Birkin told Leitch that Hermés paid her an annual royalty of £30,000 in 2011, which currently works out as $39,000. Years later, the Birkin handbag has taken on a life of its own and is now seen as a status symbol. Some of its pricer models, including the crocodile and diamond-encrusted Birkin bags, can cost as much as $200,000 according to Sotheby's.

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Persons: Jane Birkin, Birkin, Luke Leitch, Jean, Louis Dumas –, Leitch, Dumas, Hermés, Bijou Birkin – Organizations: Service, Air France Locations: Wall, Silicon, Paris, London, 2o18