In the glittering, competitive world of Hermès bags, two designs reign supreme: the Birkin and the Kelly. These are, without question, two of the most famous handbags ever made, their renown bolstered by their celebrity namesakes and timeless design.
Like all Hermès bags, they’re made in limited quantities and can be difficult to acquire. But there are other bags from the historic house well worth paying attention to, and we’ve rounded up a selection of ones that are available now on 1stDibs. No, you won’t find a Constance or a Picotin on the list. In fact, most of the bags on it can’t be purchased from Hermès anymore. These are limited editions, one-offs and discontinued treasures waiting to be snapped up by the Hermès enthusiast who’s searching for something truly unique.
Hermès Symbiose
If Pablo Picasso had ventured into handbag design, he might have conjured a masterpiece like the Hermès Symbiose. The large tote-style bag is a deliciously funky collage of brightly saturated exotic hides, with a flap sporting the house’s iconic turn lock perched asymmetrically on an upper corner. The panels of ostrich, suede, calfskin and crocodile make it seem like four bags in one.
Hermès Bombay
Introduced around 20 years ago, the Hermès Bombay 27 bag feels shockingly current. The east-west design is modeled after a doctor’s bag, and this example is made of a delicious deep red-toned chocolate-brown ostrich skin, a favorite among collectors.
Hermès Petit H Skeleton
Behold the inverse of a Birkin. The Hermès Skeleton tote is a unique creation from the Petit H studio, which uses scraps from Hermès’s routine leather production to make some of the maison‘s most adventurous designs. Sewn to the tote’s wool base is a sheet of leather from which Birkin bag details were cut out. It’s a playful exercise in waste reduction and a luxurious utilitarian experience.
Hermès 24/24
The Hermès 24/24 bag is so named for a simple reason: It’s intended to be used 24 hours a day. Released in 2018, this little workhorse is both structured and flexible, with a top handle and an optional crossbody strap. The body and the contrasting upper flaps securing the metal turn lock form a tricolor palette that radiates creative refinement.
Hermès Doctor Bag
The Bombay’s elongated shape may have been inspired by a doctor’s bag, but this is the real deal. A gorgeous example of Hermès’s mid-century craftsmanship, the substantial design comprises a structured metal-framed top bag and a suede-lined lower compartment for additional storage. Clad in rich brown crocodile hide, this beautiful model would cause quite a stir in a doctor’s office, but today it is a far more likely to be carried by a pro athlete than a physician.
Hermès Tigre Royal Bucket Bag
A real wild card, the Hermès Tigre Royal bucket bag exudes confidence. This canvas and Barenia leather piece was produced in 2010, the year of the tiger in the Chinese zodiac. The lush Tigre Royal print — created in 1977 by Christiane Vauzelles, who was known for her scarf designs — has graced Hermès’s scarves and other small accessories for decades, but bags sporting the motif are uncommon species.
Hermès Clutch
The Hermès world contains many rare models, but this extraordinary clutch verges on the unique. So few of the minaudières were made that the design doesn’t have a proper name. Dating to 1997, this example boasts a rich honey-brown crocodile exterior with a flared shape you won’t find in any other Hermès bag.
Hermès Sac à Dépêches
In Hermès symbology, the horseshoe has a special meaning. A nod to the house’s equestrian roots, when appearing in a bag’s interior, it denotes a special-order item made for a VIP client. Such commissions often result in shocking combinations, as witness this Sac à Dépêches briefcase in electric blue and rose Jaipur Epsom leather. Fans of Ryan Murphy’s All’s Fair might see this as a natural choice for Kim Kardashian’s character, who made headlines with her vibrant takes on white-collar luxury.
Hermès Shoulder Bag
This slim saddle bag is so unusual that few would guess its maker at first glance. The luxurious lizard exterior hints at Hermès provenance, but the silhouette is not one generally associated with the house. Endlessly versatile, the 1980s piece offers chic, quiet sophistication that everyone will notice.
Hermès Top-Handle Bag
This handbag is an old-school gem. Structured, ladylike and unmistakably vintage, it is made of a glossy toffee-colored crocodile that gleams with sumptuous heritage. The modernist gold clasp doesn’t give away its maker, but the discreet inner stamp confirms the obvious — this was crafted by one of the oldest and most renowned bag ateliers in the world. Not just an accessory, it represents the prestigious history of Hermès.
