HERMES Kelly 32 Vintage Bag in Navy Blue Box Leather
View Similar Items
HERMES Kelly 32 Vintage Bag in Navy Blue Box Leather
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 8.27 in (21 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)Length: 12.6 in (32 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:In very good vintage condition (marks and scratches on the leather on the outside as well as on the inside, discolored metalwork in some places).
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:Seller: 242951stDibs: LU69534613813
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.
- Chanel Coral Tweed tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel coral tweed tote bag = Collector bag Condition: very good condition Country of manufacture: Italy Collection: shopping bags gender: female Materi...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
$10,216 - FENDI Peekaboo Gold Grained Leather BagBy FendiLocated in Paris, FRWe no longer describe this Fendi tote bag created by Silvia FENDI, which has become the brand's iconic bag. It is in good used condition. It can be carried by hand with a handle or o...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- LOUIS VUITTON Large White "Forte Dei Miami" Tote BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Paris, FRLarge Louis Vuitton tote in white cotton. It comes from the TRAVEL ARTICLES Collection, created for the opening of the boutique located in the Italian seaside resort of Forte dei Mar...Category
2010s Spanish Shoulder Bags
- CHANEL Tote Bag in Navy Blue Quilted SuedeBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel tote bag in navy blue quilted suede. Palladium silver metal hardware. Double zipper (missing on a closure). The interior is lined in black canvas with 3 pockets, one zipped. ...Category
2010s French Tote Bags
- Chanel Bowling Bag 'PARIS-NYC' Burgundy CrocodileBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRSublime collector CHANEL bag, model 'Bowling' from the Famous Collection Paris / New York in bordeaux crocodile leather. Aged silver plated hardware, aged silver plated closure, han...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- CHANEL Tote Bag in Silk Scarf and Black Smooth Lamb LeatherBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel tote bag in black, light gray and white silk scarf and black smooth lamb leather. Zipper. Hardware in palladium silver metal. The interior is in black satin with 3 pockets inc...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel 2009 Jumbo Maxi Soft Lambskin Leather Classic Flap Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Jumbo Maxi Soft Lambskin Leather Classic Flap Shoulder Bag Year: 2008-2009 Gunmetal hardware Black quilted lambskin leather Logo at front with magnetic snap flap closure Si...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Limited Edition Black Large Crochet Nature Tweed Fringe Classic Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLSoft Organic Nature Tweed Woven Large CC Tote This series is very hard to find! Year: 2009 Antique gold hardware Four bottom feet Flat bottom Tweed interwoven chain Diamond stit...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Limited Edition Soho Glazed Calfskin Quilted Tweed Flight Travel Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Limited Edition Soho Glazed Calfskin Quilted Tweed Flight Travel Tote Bag This is a limited edition bag with "SOHO 2010" engraved on the special plaque to commemorate the ope...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel 1996 Vintage Black Caviar Triple CC Stitched Shoulder Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 1996 Vintage Black Caviar Triple CC Stitched Shoulder Tote Bag Year: 1996 Gold hardware This stunning classic shoulder bag circa 1996-1997 is crafted of luxurious caviar l...Category
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Shopping XL Timeless Beach Yacht Boating Detail Navy Canvas Nylon ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel large expandable canvas bag with double handle leather straps and boat rope closure Year: 2010 Silver hardware Boat rope drawstring closure Boating hook keychain detail Inter...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel 2006 Vintage Patent Quilted Double Chain Shoulder Classic Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 2006 Vintage Patent Quilted Double Chain Shoulder Classic Flap Bag circa 2006 black patent leather leather and chain-link shoulder strap quilted finish foldover top signature...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
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.