Hermes Black Evelyne III PM Cross-Body Messenger Bag
View Similar Items
Hermes Black Evelyne III PM Cross-Body Messenger Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU13023153423
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.
- Hermes Mauve Sylvestre Rose Gold Mini Constance 18cm Epsom Bag Z Stamp, 2021By HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Mauve Rose Gold Hardware Mini Constance 18cm Epsom Bag Rare Z Stamp, 2021 Just purchased from Hermes store; bag bears new 2021 interior Z stamp. Perfect Gift! Brand New in Box...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag U Stamp, 2022By HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag U Stamp, 2022 A most superb mini black Kelly that exudes an effortless elegance. Just purchased from Hermes...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly 28 Black Epsom Sellier Gold Hardware Z Stamp, 2021By HermèsLocated in New York, NYChicjoy is pleased to present this Hermes Kelly 28 Black Epsom Sellier Gold Hardware Brand New in Box. Store Fresh. Pristine Condition (with plas...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Kelly 25 Etain Sellier Shoulder Bag Tin Grey Z Stamp, 2021By HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Kelly 25 Etain Sellier Shoulder Bag Tin Grey Z Stamp, 2021 The ultimate modern chic 25cm Kelly in the best neutral ever! Brand New in Box. Store ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly 25 Gold Bi-Color Jaune Ambre Verso Shoulder Bag Bag Z Stamp, 2021By HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Kelly 25 Gold Bi-Color Jaune Ambre Verso Shoulder Bag Bag Z Stamp, 2021 A rare and coveted Kelly 25cm combining two of Hermes' best colors,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly 25 Lime Epsom Sellier Shoulder Bag Gold Hardware Fluo Yellow RareBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Kelly 25 Lime Epsom Sellier Bag Gold Devastatingly gorgeous! Beyond darling and super chic! Brand New in Box. Store Fresh. Pristine Condition (with plastic on hardware). Perfect gift! Comes full set with keys, lock, clochette, shoulder strap, sleeper, rain protector, and Hermes box. Lime is an utterly spectacular drop-dead gorgeous fluo yellow. Widely adored by celebs and socialites, Hermes Lime has been out of production for a long time. This Mini Kelly is is part of a very limited reissue of a cult-favorite color. A total head turner, this Lime Kelly is equally sublime with whites and denims, as it is with beiges and greys. Accented with luxurious gold hardware, it is a stunning and luxurious statement Baby Kelly...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel 2004 CC Vintage Rare Classic Flap Charcoal Ultra Grey Tweed Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel charcoal multi colored fantasy tweed flap with large CC logo and turnlock CC clasp closure 2004 {VINTAGE 19 Years} Silver hardware Black lambskin lined interior flap Black graffitti interior lining Center zipper pocket Interwoven chain Strap drop: Single 12” Double 9” 7” H x 11” W x 2.55” D Made in France As seen on celebrities like Mischa Barton and Diane Kruger...Category
Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel 2009 Classic Flap Hidden Mesh Medium Black Sequins Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Classic Flap Hidden Mesh Medium Black Sequins Shoulder Bag Year: 2009 {Vintage 15 Years} Embellished in overlapped hidden black sequins, this elegantly feminine bag in a cla...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 1989 Two Tone Black and White Vintage Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Two Tone Black and White Vintage Flap Bag 1989 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Lamsbkin leather Classic back pocket Gold hardware Interwoven classic chai...Category
1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 2005 Classic Flap Vintage Jeweled Sequin Mermaid Navy Blue Tweed BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage Rare Tweed Jeweled Sequin Mermaid Fringe Classic Flap Bag 2005 {VINTAGE 19 Years} Small sized flap with mermaid colored sequins and classic interlocking clasp Silver ...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 2014 Dallas Drawstring Bucket Quilted Rare Fringe Lambskin Leather BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 2014 Dallas Drawstring Bucket Quilted Rare Fringe Lambskin Leather Bag Year: 2014 Antique Gunmental Hardware CC Logo Feather Charm Classic interw...Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel XL Oversized Fanny Pack Sling Gym Sport Black Nylon Cross Body BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Waist XL Sport Fanny Pack Banana Beige Nylon Cross Body Bag Measurements: 0.25"L x 21"W x 12"H Black Nylon CC Rubber Logo Adjustable Strap Made in ItalyCategory
Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger 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.