HERMÈS EMPIRE SANDALS White with Permabrass Hardware - Size 37
View Similar Items
HERMÈS EMPIRE SANDALS White with Permabrass Hardware - Size 37
About the Item
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- SIMONE ROCHA SS24 Bell Charm Crochetted Ballet Flats - Size 40 (EU)By Simone RochaLocated in London, GBSimone Rocha Bell Charm Chrochetted Ballet Flats SS24 Metallic Silver 90% Cotton, 10% Metallic Fibres Size 40 (EU) New - Unworn with BoxCategory
2010s Portuguese Shoes
- ALAÏA Heart 55 PVC PumpsLocated in London, GBALAÏA Heart 55 Slingback Pumps PVC and patent leather with Stiletto heel and heart detail Size 40 (EU) New - Unworn with BoxCategory
2010s Italian Shoes
- MIU MIU Daisy Print Twill Platform Sandals - Size 40.5 (EU)By Miu MiuLocated in London, GBMiu Miu Daisy Print Twill Platform Sansals Red, Blue and White Twill Size 40.5 (EU) Heel height: 5.1"/13cm Unwork - New with BoxCategory
2010s French Shoes
- HERMÈS EXTRA SANDAL Black - Size 40By HermèsLocated in London, GBHermès Extra Sandal in Calfskin with "Chain d'Ancre" strap Black Anatomical rubber sole Made in Italy Size 40 *This item runs small, we suggest choos...Category
2010s French Shoes
- HERMÈS CHYPRE SANDAL Black & Natural Woolskin - Men's Size 42By HermèsLocated in London, GBHermès shearling Chypre techno-sandal in calfskin & woolskin with rubber sole and adjustable strap Black rubber sole Natural Woolskin insole Black calfskin upper Made in Italy ...Category
2010s French Shoes
- HERMÈS CHYPRE STAR SANDAL Black - Size 37By HermèsLocated in London, GBHermès Chypre Techno-sandal in calfskin with rubber sole and adjustable strap Black calfskin insole and goatskin lining Accompanied by: Hermès box, dust bags and ribbon Size 37 ...Category
2010s French Shoes
- Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Embroidered Armadillo Curved Wedge Pumps Size 40By Alexander McQueenLocated in New York, NYAlexander McQueen Black Velvet Embroidered Armadillo Curved Wedge Pumps Size 40 Condition is new without original box.Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Valentino Suede and Fox BootBy ValentinoLocated in Water Mill, NYValentino Suede, Fox and Silk Ribbon Black 4.5" Heel BootsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- NEW GUCCI 1990 camel suede Platform PumpsBy GucciLocated in Genève, CH-Suede leather -Camel color -Block heels -125 mm heel -Sold with dustbag and box -New condition -Size 40 FRCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
$343 Sale Price20% Off - Prada shoes IT36By PradaLocated in Rubiera, REPRADA Open-toe shoes in patent leather in the colors of turquoise, light green and light gray Size IT 36 Heel cm. 3 Made in Italy New with boxCategory
2010s Italian Shoes
$322 - Chanel, Black sequined sandalBy ChanelLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLChanel, Black sequined sandal. The item is in very good condition. Worn once. Comes with 2 dustbags and extra set of heels. • CONDITION: very good condi...Category
2010s Shoes
- Saint Laurent, Black patent leather niki bootsBy Saint LaurentLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLSaint Laurent, Black patent leather niki boots. The item has been worn once and is in very good condition. Comes with dustbags and box. • CONDITION: very good condition • SIZE: 36...Category
2010s Shoes
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.