GUCCI black leather & PYTHON NEW BAMBOO Shoulder Bag
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
Gucci 'The New Bamboo' handbag in black python with bamboo turn-lock and bamboo handle. Has a
GUCCI black leather & PYTHON NEW BAMBOO Shoulder Bag
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
Gucci 'The New Bamboo' handbag in black python with bamboo turn-lock and bamboo handle. Has a
$10,343
H 5.12 in D 2.37 in L 7.88 in
Chanel Pink & Silver Sequin Single Flap Silver Tone Hardware Bag
By Chanel
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning Chanel classic flap handbag from Chanel's 2023 Spring-Summer Classics collection. The exterior of this mini flap is crafted in pink and silver sequins with silver-tone har...
$96,804
H 7.49 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Hermès Birkin 25 Crocodile Porosus Lisse Rose Mexiko Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Berlin, DE
Hermès Birkin 25 in rose mexiko and shiny crocodile porosus leather with palladium hardware. The bag is unworn and comes as full set including the original receipt and Cites. Stamp Z...
Chanel Grand Sac Boy 2015 Black Leather Golden HDW Chanel Large Boy Bag
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Large Chanel Boy bag in aged quilted black leather and gold metal, wide front flap with double-press Boy clasp, black canvas interior with a large pocket closed by a zip with a logo ...
Alexander McQueen New Cashmere "DANTE" A/W 1996 Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black cashmere blend mini dress with a dramatic stand up collar from Alexander McQueen. It is double breasted with a stand up lapel collar which frames the face beautifull...
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Long Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
- Created in 2006 by Van Cleef & Arpels, the Magic Alhambra jewellery creations gather different-sized Alhambra motifs, coming together in a joyful dance. Inspired by the clover ...
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Thierry Mugler Couture SS 2001 Beaded Evening Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Thierry Mugler Couture elegant evening dress from spring summer 2001 collection. PVC collar with glass beads embroideries. High leg slit. Open back. Rounded hem. Deep purple colour....
$2,686
H 5.52 in D 4.34 in L 12.21 in
Python and canvas Street Chic Colombus bag CHRISTIAN DIOR by John Galliano
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Python and canvas Street Chic Colombus bag with detachable pocket. Gold metal hardware. Snap closure under the flap. One inside pocket with zip closure. Branded studs underneath. Dar...
$1,595
H 4.75 in W 3.25 in
Vintage Chanel 2000s Black Patent Leather CC Logo Quilted Wristlet Micro Clutch
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Chanel black patent leather mini wristlet purse from 2003/2004. Bag has square quilting throughout with CC logos, large CC logo at top. Dangling large gunmetal silver metal C...
Tom Ford for Gucci S/S 1995 Vintage Lace Up Off Shoulder Crochet Knit Dress
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Naples, FL
Tom Ford for Gucci S/S 1995 Vintage Lace Up Off Shoulder Crochet Knit Dress Size S
Hermes Birkin 25 Natural Sable Maurice Stamp W Gold Hardware Handbag
By Hermès
Located in Aventura, FL
With its iconic design and luxurious materials, the Hermès Birkin 25 Natural Sable Togo Leather Gold Hardware handbag is the epitome of timeless elegance. Its new condition ensures t...
Gianni Versace Sculptural Dress 1990s
By Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A stunning red wool dress by Gianni Versace. It has great lines with square cut armholes, a fitted bodice and fabulous flared skirt with the back a few inches longer and fuller than ...
HERMES Craie cream Clemence leather EVELYNE 16 TPM Crossbody Bag Ghw
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Hermès Evelyne 16 TPM Crossbody Bag in Craie (chulk white) Taurillon Clemence leather is a timeless addition to any collection. Featuring the iconic perforated "H...
Hermès Micro Kelly 15 cm Sellier Red Leather Gold Hdw
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Adorable Authentic Hermès Micro Kelly Rare item, a must-have for any Hermès lovers Sellier Version (outside stitching) for a rigid shape, so chic ! Made in France ...
Rare 1991 Gianni Versace Embroidered Shell Buster
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
Rare 1991 Gianni Versace Embroidered Shell Buster. Shell cups densely embroidered with red bugle beads; cobalt and clear rhinestone striations ; Ribbed Silk Panel. Zipper closure at ...
2000S GIANNI VERSACE Jlo Collection Tropical Gold Metal Mesh One Sleeve Top
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
2000S GIANNI VERSACE Jlo Collection Tropical Gold Metal Mesh One Sleeve Top
Hermès Birkin 25 Verso Epsom Rose d'Etè
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Birkin 25 verso limited edition features a epsom leather in rose d'ete` with rolled leather handles, a front flap with turn-lock closure, gold hardware, and interior zip and sli...
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.
Usually characterized by simplicity and sporting a classic and beloved silhouette, vintage and designer top-handle bags can easily find a place among your wardrobe staples. From the Haut à courroies — Hermès’s original top-handle bag, created in 1892 — to the smaller and timeless Sac à dépêches that inspired both iconic accessories the Kelly bag in the 1950s and the Birkin in the 1980s, the discerning shopper has had no shortage of options to choose from.
Small and mini designer top-handle bags, including vintage top-handle box bags and micro clutches, offer an alternate dynamic and usually feature sleek lines and modest features to perfectly complement your evening look. Styling with jeans and a comfortable sweater works, too — a classic top-handle bag or other type of handbag designed by the likes of Prada, Celine or other widely loved fashion label is an ideal accessory to pair with casual attire. For a personal touch or pop of color, add a key chain, a patterned scarf or a handbag chain.
On 1stDibs, you can find vintage top-handle bags from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and more. The numerous styles of this cherished accessory that we have available also include the Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Alma GM handbag, Fendi Baguette purses and modern leather Longchamp handbags.
Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.
Does wicker get more high-end than this?
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
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.
More than a fashion statement, this iconic style continually appreciates in value.
A symbol of luxury and elegance, the design has a storied past and a legion of devoted collectors.
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.
The color, texture and durability of an Hermès Birkin bag is as important as its iconic shape. Here, we present all you need to know about Birkin leathers and hides.