1960s Hermes blouse La France Hippique 1854, Lenke Szechenzyl
View Similar Items
1960s Hermes blouse La France Hippique 1854, Lenke Szechenzyl
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.
- Chanel Off White Silk Pleated Long Sleeve BlouseBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel off white silk pleated long sleeve blouse, with amazing pearl logo buttons.Pull on blouse has a placket front with wing collar, vertical pleats beneath the yoke at the front a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Blouses
- Vintage Bernard Perris Cream Silk Metallic Thread Peek a Boo Blouse 1980sBy Bernard PerrisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Bernard Perris, cream silk with silver metallic thread peek a boo, flower front blouse from the 1980s. Lightweight silk crepe with silver metallic stitching, the blouse has a...Category
1980s French Blouses and Tops
- Chanel Gold Silk Satin Flat Band Collar Long Sleeve BlouseBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel gold silk satin flat band collar with long sleeves blouse from the 1990s. Beautiful silk satin blouse with a button placket neckline and two gold Chanel logo buttons...Category
1990s French Blouses
- Chanel black Chantilly lace sleeveless top 2004ABy Karl Lagerfeld, ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel black lace sleeveless top from 2004A collection. Sheer lace pull on top is unlined. The neckline, hem and arm openings are trimmed in lace. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Blouses
- Anne Klein Black Silk Organza Double Pocket Long Sleeve Blouse 1970sBy Anne KleinLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAnne Klein black silk organza double pocket long sleeve blouse from the 1970s. Button front blouse with black glass buttons, double open breast pockets, deep set in, long sleeves hav...Category
1970s American Blouses and Tops
- Salvatore Ferragamo 1990s Silk Crepe Tropical Foliage Oversize Blouse Tunic SBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSalvatore Ferragamo 1990s silk crepe tropical foliage oversize blouse tunic. This beautiful blouse is done with a pink ground and an assortment of tropical foliage throughout. Long s...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- 1980s Hanae Mori Floral BlouseBy Hanae MoriLocated in New York, NYVintage 1980s Hanae Mori Floral Blouse: This blouse was made in the 1980s by Hanae Mori, the legendary Japanese designer whose east-meets-west approach to fashion design influenced an entire generation of designers who followed her, and earned her her most loyal client, Princess Grace of Monaco. Mori was a pivotal element of the wave of Japanese...Category
1980s Blouses
- 1920s Navy Blue Silk Blouse or Evening JacketLocated in New York, NYVERY BREEZY presents: This vintage 1920s silk blouse is a little piece of flapper history, and a very rare find. The 1920s was a period of liberatio...Category
1920s Blouses
- Antique Victorian Silk Bodice with Crochet Lace DetailsLocated in New York, NYAntique Victorian clothing is rare enough to come by, and this blouse is such a special collector's item. Circa 1890s, it's made of the most...Category
1890s Blouses
- Salvatore Ferragamo Grey and Brown Virgin Wool Top - MBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Salvatore Ferragamo grey and brown virgin wool top has a classic-equestrian feel. The blouse is round necked with stripes on the sleeves and bottom and a small Ferragamo metal l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Blouses
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Gold and Black Silk Blouse With Tie At NeckBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful vintage late 1980's or early 1990's Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche copper and black plaid silk blouse. The blouse has a separate sash that can be tied into a knot...Category
1980s European Blouses
- Yves Saint Laurent Orange & Black Striped Silk Vintage Blouse With Sash BowBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis early 1980's YSL vintage blouse is in a luxe silk in an orange and black striped print. Yves Saint Laurent was a prolific designer and he paid attention to even the smallest detail in his pieces. His vintage blouses are some of the most beautiful out there and they fit seamlessly into modern wardrobes. This YSL top...Category
1980s European Blouses
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.