Singer and songwriter Lily Allen has been spotted in Paris showcasing a brand new Hermès Birkin bag valued at a staggering £11,000, just days after publicly revealing she is currently undergoing specialised therapy to address her compulsive shopping habits. The 40-year-old artist, best known for hits like "West End Girls," was photographed on Thursday strolling through the French capital, elegantly pairing the luxurious Birkin 35 Rouge Vif Togo Leather accessory with a sophisticated black coat and a pair of stylish flared trousers.
Luxury Fashion and Personal Struggles
Allen's appearance in Paris comes at a poignant time, as she recently opened up about her ongoing battle with excessive spending during a Christmas special episode of her popular "Miss Me?" podcast. In a candid conversation with her co-host and close friend Miquita Oliver, Lily disclosed the extent of her lavish purchases over recent months, which include not only the eye-wateringly expensive Hermès bag but also a £120,000 Porsche sports car and a dazzling diamond and emerald ring.
"I'm convinced I'm a billionaire," Allen admitted during the podcast recording, reflecting on her mindset. "Handbags have been bought, jewels and a car has been bought. I'm just playing with my huge diamond and emerald ring, I bought myself a little present but it's not that little. You've got to treat yourself and mark the moment."
Therapeutic Intervention for Compulsive Behaviour
In a bid to curb what she described as "shopping like an insane person," Lily has been engaged in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for the past four months. This innovative form of psychological treatment, endorsed by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, is designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and associated negative behaviours by using side-to-side eye movements combined with traditional talk therapy techniques.
Allen has described the EMDR process as "life changing," explaining how it helps dissociate positive feelings from material possessions. "If you're trying to stop a negative behaviour like spending or drug taking, you do the opposite and think of the good feeling and try and dissociate that feeling from your self-worth," she elaborated. "In my case, a handbag, you separate it by saying this handbag is making me a better person. It is really interesting... I'm not clear on the science, but it is working for me."
Parisian Style and Lavish Accommodation
During her Paris visit, which coincided with the prestigious Valentino fashion show, Allen demonstrated her signature eclectic style. For a more casual ensemble, she paired the same Hermès Birkin with a comfortable grey woollen jumper and practical white trainers, slicking her dark hair into a fashionable messy bun for her explorations of the city.
The singer was captured leaving the opulent five-star Le Bristol Hotel, where rooms command prices upwards of £1,700 per night. For her departure, she opted for a black woollen coat complemented by a striking green faux fur scarf, while her luggage consisted of a £200 Antler heritage overnight bag and a £425 Antler suitcase.
Personal Challenges and Self-Improvement
This public appearance follows what has been a particularly challenging year for the entertainer, who is the daughter of actor Keith Allen. Lily experienced what she termed a "devastating" separation from her husband, Stranger Things actor David Harbour, towards the end of 2024. Additionally, in February she revealed she had undergone breast enhancement surgery, describing it as part of her personal "glow up" journey undertaken purely for herself.
Allen's openness about both her mental health struggles and her therapeutic journey represents a significant step in destigmatising discussions around compulsive behaviours and psychological treatment within the entertainment industry. Her willingness to share these personal details while continuing to navigate the pressures of public life and celebrity culture demonstrates remarkable resilience and self-awareness.
The juxtaposition of her luxury fashion choices with her candid revelations about therapy highlights the complex relationship between material possessions, self-worth, and mental wellbeing that many individuals grapple with in contemporary society.
