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Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Black Bag GHW
Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Black Bag GHW

Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Black Bag GHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Black Bag GHW. C stamp. Comes with dust bag, keys, clochette, locker and long strap.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW
Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW

Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Listing Title: Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW SKU: Z154143 Condition: Pre-owned Condition Description: Officially renamed in 1977, the Hermès Kelly was originally called ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Etain togo phw
Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Etain togo phw

Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Etain togo phw

By Hermès

Located in London, England

Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Pouch Bag in Etain colour, togo Leather with Palladium Hardware.

Category

2010s Clutches

Hermès Vert Criquet Epsom Sellier Kelly 28 PHW
Hermès Vert Criquet Epsom Sellier Kelly 28 PHW

Hermès Vert Criquet Epsom Sellier Kelly 28 PHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

From the Birkin and Kelly to the silk Twilly and the Clic H Bracelet, every piece is a testament to artisanal excellence.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermès Kelly Pochette Orange Doblis Palladium Hardware
Hermès Kelly Pochette Orange Doblis Palladium Hardware

Hermès Kelly Pochette Orange Doblis Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly Pochette in orange and doblis leather with palladium hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

HERMES Kelly Classique Medium Wallet Epsom Leather France
HERMES Kelly Classique Medium Wallet Epsom Leather France

HERMES Kelly Classique Medium Wallet Epsom Leather France

By Hermès

Located in Guangzhou, CN

Accessories: No Accessories size: Width:16cm,height:10cm Designer: Hermes Model: Kelly Classique Medium Wallet Exterior Material: Leather Exterior Color: Gray Interior Materia...

Category

2010s French Wallets

Hermès Epsom Kelly Sellier 25 Vert Jade
Hermès Epsom Kelly Sellier 25 Vert Jade

Hermès Epsom Kelly Sellier 25 Vert Jade

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This Kelly Sellier 25 cm in Vert Jade features Epsom calfskin leather is brand new in unused condition.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW
Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW

Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Listing Title: Hermès Black Epsom Kelly To Go Wallet GHW SKU: Z154143 Condition: Pre-owned Condition Description: Officially renamed in 1977, the Hermès Kelly was originally called ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 25 black with gold hardware handbag
Hermes Kelly 25 black with gold hardware handbag

Hermes Kelly 25 black with gold hardware handbag

By Hermès

Located in London, England

Hermes Kelly 25 Black in Chevre leather with gold hardware.

Category

2010s Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 35 Gris Etain Togo Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly 35 Gris Etain Togo Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly 35 Gris Etain Togo Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly 35 in gris etain and togo leather with gold hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Nata Epsom Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Nata Epsom Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Nata Epsom Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 in nata and epsom leather with gold hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Noir Epsom Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Noir Epsom Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Noir Epsom Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 in noir and epsom leather with gold hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

New Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Pouch Palladium Hardware
New Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Pouch Palladium Hardware

New Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Pouch Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Neguri, Vizcaya

Height: 20 cm Width: 25 cm Depth: 4 cm The Kelly bag came to success when it was first paparazzied on the bumpy belly of Princess Grace Kelly in 1956.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Bleu Orange Togo Kelly Depeche 25 PHW
Hermès Bleu Orange Togo Kelly Depeche 25 PHW

Hermès Bleu Orange Togo Kelly Depeche 25 PHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Listing Title: Hermès Bleu Orange Togo Kelly Depeche 25 PHW SKU: 152582 Condition: Pre-owned Condition Description: Officially renamed in 1977, the Hermès Kelly was originally calle...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pouches and Wristlets

New Hermes Kelly 20 Epsom Etoupe Gold Hardware
New Hermes Kelly 20 Epsom Etoupe Gold Hardware

New Hermes Kelly 20 Epsom Etoupe Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Neguri, Vizcaya

The Hermès Kelly 20, commonly known as the Mini Kelly II, in Etoupe Epsom leather with Gold Hardware (GHW) is one of the most coveted and difficult-to-acquire pieces in the world of ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

New Hermes Kelly 25 Togo Etoupe Palaldium Hardware
New Hermes Kelly 25 Togo Etoupe Palaldium Hardware

New Hermes Kelly 25 Togo Etoupe Palaldium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Neguri, Vizcaya

Height: 19 cm Width: 25 cm Depth: 9 cm The Kelly bag came to success when it was first paparazzied on the bumpy belly of Princess Grace Kelly in 1956.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Shiny Rose Scheherazade Alligator Mini Kelly 20
Hermès Shiny Rose Scheherazade Alligator Mini Kelly 20

Hermès Shiny Rose Scheherazade Alligator Mini Kelly 20

By Hermès

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Hermès Shiny Rose Scheherazade Alligator Mini Kelly 20 is a stunning and luxurious handbag that exemplifies elegance and craftsmanship.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Hermès Kelly 32cm Rouge Vif Togo w PHW
Hermès Kelly 32cm Rouge Vif Togo w PHW

Hermès Kelly 32cm Rouge Vif Togo w PHW

By Hermès

Located in Palm Beach, FL

A bold and timeless statement from the House of Hermès, this Kelly 32 is presented in Rouge Vif Togo leather with palladium hardware an iconic and highly recognizable combination.

Category

Early 2000s Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermès Kelly 32 Au Trot Electric Blue
Hermès Kelly 32 Au Trot Electric Blue

Hermès Kelly 32 Au Trot Electric Blue

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

The Kelly 32 with gold hardware, and has tonal stitching, two straps with front toggle closure, a single rolled handle and a removable shoulder strap, the interior is lined with chev...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly HSS 35 Beton Swift champagner Hardware
Hermès Kelly HSS 35 Beton Swift champagner Hardware

Hermès Kelly HSS 35 Beton Swift champagner Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly HSS 35 in beton and swift leather with champagner hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier Verso Rouge Piment
Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier Verso Rouge Piment

Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier Verso Rouge Piment

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

The Kelly 25 verso is in the Sellier style, with palladium hardware, and has tonal stitching, two straps with front toggle closure, and a single rolled handle, the interior is lined ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Orange Veau Doblis Suede Vintage Kelly Pochette
Hermès Orange Veau Doblis Suede Vintage Kelly Pochette

Hermès Orange Veau Doblis Suede Vintage Kelly Pochette

By Hermès

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Hermès Orange Veau Doblis Suede Vintage Kelly Pochette Product Details Xupes Ref: MML039 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly Pochette Type: Top Handle Serial Number: [I] Age: 2005 Accompanie...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 25 Jaune Poussin Swift Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly 25 Jaune Poussin Swift Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly 25 Jaune Poussin Swift Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly 25 in jaune poussin and swift leather with gold hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Jaune Courchevel Leather Kelly 20cm Sellier
Hermès Jaune Courchevel Leather Kelly 20cm Sellier

Hermès Jaune Courchevel Leather Kelly 20cm Sellier

By Hermès

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Hermès Jaune Courchevel Leather Kelly 20cm Sellier Product Details Xupes Ref: JJLG091 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 20cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder Serial Number: (V) Age: 1992 Accompa...

Category

1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermès Mini Kelly Bag Charm Silk Strap
Hermès Mini Kelly Bag Charm Silk Strap

Hermès Mini Kelly Bag Charm Silk Strap

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Hermès collectible mini kelly bag charm in red tadelakt leather and gold tone hardware.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories

Hermes New Kelly 28 Rose Mexico Clemence
Hermes New Kelly 28 Rose Mexico Clemence

Hermes New Kelly 28 Rose Mexico Clemence

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Hermes BNIB Kelly 28 retourne in rose Mexico taurillon clemence leather, palladium hardware.

Category

20th Century Top Handle Bags

Hermes Bleu Electrique Togo Retourne Kelly 28 GHW
Hermes Bleu Electrique Togo Retourne Kelly 28 GHW

Hermes Bleu Electrique Togo Retourne Kelly 28 GHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Listing Title: Hermes Bleu Electrique Togo Retourne Kelly 28 GHW SKU: Z151491 Condition: Pre-owned Condition Description: Officially renamed in 1977, the Hermès Kelly was originally...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermès Plomb Togo Maxi Kelly Retourne 42 PHW
Hermès Plomb Togo Maxi Kelly Retourne 42 PHW

Hermès Plomb Togo Maxi Kelly Retourne 42 PHW

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Listing Title: Hermès Plomb Togo Maxi Kelly Retourne 42 PHW SKU: Z151291 Condition: Pre-owned Condition Description: Officially renamed in 1977, the Hermès Kelly was originally call...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermès Kelly So Black 35 Noir Boxcalf
Hermès Kelly So Black 35 Noir Boxcalf

Hermès Kelly So Black 35 Noir Boxcalf

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly So Black 35 in noir and boxcalf leather with black hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Limited Edition Navy Kelly Ghillies Wallet
Hermès Limited Edition Navy Kelly Ghillies Wallet

Hermès Limited Edition Navy Kelly Ghillies Wallet

By Hermès

Located in London, GB

- Navy - Exotic alligator leather - Gold-tone hardware - Internal red lining - Partitioned smooth leather interior - Card slots, patch pockets - Inner zipper compartment - PVC still ...

Category

2010s British Wallets and Small Accessories

Hermès Kelly 32 Retourne Verso Anemone Thalassa
Hermès Kelly 32 Retourne Verso Anemone Thalassa

Hermès Kelly 32 Retourne Verso Anemone Thalassa

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Hermès Kelly 32 retourne verso swift leather. Anemone exterior with thalassa interior.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès BNIB Kelly 35 Verso Black/Blue
Hermès BNIB Kelly 35 Verso Black/Blue

Hermès BNIB Kelly 35 Verso Black/Blue

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Hermès kelly 35 retourne' verso in black togo leather with blue agate chevre interior.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Beige Marfa Clemence Leather Kelly 28cm Retourne
Hermès Beige Marfa Clemence Leather Kelly 28cm Retourne

Hermès Beige Marfa Clemence Leather Kelly 28cm Retourne

By Hermès

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Hermès Beige Marfa Clemence Leather Kelly 28cm Retourne Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1655 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 28cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder Serial Number: K Age: 2025 Accom...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Sanguine Mini Kelly Twilly Bag Charm
Hermès Sanguine Mini Kelly Twilly Bag Charm

Hermès Sanguine Mini Kelly Twilly Bag Charm

By Hermès

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A charming accessory - an adorable Hermès Mini Kelly Twilly bag charm. The exterior of this Kelly bag charm features a Sanguine Tadelakt leather detailed with tonal stitching.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories

Hermès Noir Mini Kelly Twilly Bag Charm
Hermès Noir Mini Kelly Twilly Bag Charm

Hermès Noir Mini Kelly Twilly Bag Charm

By Hermès

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A chic Hermès Mini Kelly Twilly bag charm. The exterior of this Kelly bag charm features a Noir Tadelakt leather detailed with tonal stitching.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Novelty Bags

Hermes BNIB Kelly 28 Rose texas Togo
Hermes BNIB Kelly 28 Rose texas Togo

Hermes BNIB Kelly 28 Rose texas Togo

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Brand new in box Hermes Kelly Bag 28 retourne rose texas togo leather with palladium tone hardware.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 25 Blue Atoll Epsom w/Gold Hardware
Hermes Kelly 25 Blue Atoll Epsom w/Gold Hardware

Hermes Kelly 25 Blue Atoll Epsom w/Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Palm Beach, FL

A striking expression of Hermès craftsmanship, this Kelly 25 is rendered in Blue Atoll Epsom leather, a luminous shade inspired by the crystalline waters of a tropical lagoon.

Category

20th Century French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly Wood Perspective 22 Cavaliere Multicolor NEW
Hermes Kelly Wood Perspective 22 Cavaliere Multicolor NEW

Hermes Kelly Wood Perspective 22 Cavaliere Multicolor NEW

By Hermès

Located in Forest Park, GA

Hermès Kelly Wood Perspective 22 Cavalière Multicolor B Stamp NEW The Hermès Kelly Wood Perspective 22 Cavalière in multicolor leather and Beechwood is a rare expression of artistic...

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 28 vert kiwi candy collection epsom leather
Hermès Kelly 28 vert kiwi candy collection epsom leather

Hermès Kelly 28 vert kiwi candy collection epsom leather

By Hermès

Located in Capri, IT

Hermès Kelly 28 vert kiwi candy collection epsom leather This is a pre-owned Hermès Kelly Handbag.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag
Hermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag

Hermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Hermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag A most superb mini black Kelly that exudes an effortless elegance.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly Cut Clutch Croc Red With Palladium Hardware
Hermès Kelly Cut Clutch Croc Red With Palladium Hardware

Hermès Kelly Cut Clutch Croc Red With Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This Hermès Kelly Cut clutch is crafted in rich red crocodile leather, offering a glossy, textured surface that feels luxurious and refined.

Category

2010s French Clutches

Hermès Kelly Multipocket To Go Gold Epsom GHW H085433CC37
Hermès Kelly Multipocket To Go Gold Epsom GHW H085433CC37

Hermès Kelly Multipocket To Go Gold Epsom GHW H085433CC37

By Hermès

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A stylish Kelly Multipocket To Go Pouch by Hermès from the Kelly collection.

Category

2010s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Hermès Gold Mini Kelly 20 Epsom Gold Hardware
Hermès Gold Mini Kelly 20 Epsom Gold Hardware

Hermès Gold Mini Kelly 20 Epsom Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in New York, NY

Jewels Aficionado offers the Hermès Mini Kelly 20 Sellier in Gold Epsom leather, a timeless icon in one of Hermès' most iconic neutrals.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 28 Craie Sellier Epsom w/Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly 28 Craie Sellier Epsom w/Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly 28 Craie Sellier Epsom w/Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Palm Beach, FL

The Hermès Kelly 28 Sellier in Craie Epsom leather with gold hardware is a masterclass in understated luxury, pairing one of the house’s most coveted neutral shades with the sharp, a...

Category

20th Century Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly To Go Shlouder Wallet Leather GHW 2020
Hermes Kelly To Go Shlouder Wallet Leather GHW 2020

Hermes Kelly To Go Shlouder Wallet Leather GHW 2020

By Hermès

Located in Guangzhou, CN

Accessories: Shoulder Strap,Dust bag size: Width:20.5cm,height:12cm Designer: Hermes Model: Kelly To Go Shlouder Wallet Exterior Material: Leather Exterior Color: White Inte...

Category

2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 25cm Rose Texas Swift w/Palladium Hardware
Hermes Kelly 25cm Rose Texas Swift w/Palladium Hardware

Hermes Kelly 25cm Rose Texas Swift w/Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Hermès Kelly 25cm in Rose Texas Swift, presented in a compact silhouette that immediately heightens its sense of precision and refinement, where the smaller proportions create a more...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermès Kelly 32 Sellier Box Calf Black Palladium Hardware
Hermès Kelly 32 Sellier Box Calf Black Palladium Hardware

Hermès Kelly 32 Sellier Box Calf Black Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Hermès Kelly 32 Sellier in Noir features a single rolled top handle, detachable shoulder strap, signature straps, twist-lock closure, and a clochette with a lock and keys.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 25 Nata with gold hardware bag
Hermes Kelly 25 Nata with gold hardware bag

Hermes Kelly 25 Nata with gold hardware bag

By Hermès

Located in London, England

Hermes Kelly 25 Nata colour Epsom leather with gold hardware bag.

Category

2010s Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Bleu Indigo Epsom Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Bleu Indigo Epsom Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 Bleu Indigo Epsom Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 in bleu indigo and epsom leather with gold hardware.

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

New Hermes Kelly Birkin 25 Togo Black Gold Hardware
New Hermes Kelly Birkin 25 Togo Black Gold Hardware

New Hermes Kelly Birkin 25 Togo Black Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Neguri, Vizcaya

This was the start of the story we all know. Since then, the Kelly has been updated once in 2000. The Kelly II, released in 2000 as an update to the original Kelly, has a double ring...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

New Hermes Kelly Birkin 25 Togo Etoupe Palladium Hardware
New Hermes Kelly Birkin 25 Togo Etoupe Palladium Hardware

New Hermes Kelly Birkin 25 Togo Etoupe Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Neguri, Vizcaya

This was the start of the story we all know. Since then, the Kelly has been updated once in 2000. The Kelly II, released in 2000 as an update to the original Kelly, has a double ring...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

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Vintage Hermès Kelly Bags

Vintage Hermès Kelly bags are among the most desired handbags in the world — a symbol of luxury and elegance, this design has a storied past and a legion of devoted collectors.

Is it any surprise that Hermès's description of the Kelly bag (with some quick reformatting) reads like poetry?

“thirty-six leather pieces / assembled by a craftsman / devoted to beautiful, noble gestures, / six hundred and eighty hand stitches, / sixteen small studs, / a padlock, / a swivel clasp / and a leather key cover or clochette.”

For devotees, the Hermès classic has a visual poetry and meaning that transcends the bag itself.

Founded in 1837 as a crafter of equestrian gear for aristocrats, Hermès was nicely aligned with actress Grace Kelly’s classic style and blue blood lineage. Like most of the storied house’s pieces, the iconic design of the Kelly bag boasts an evolution that reads like a timeline of good living.

The Haut à courroies, Hermès's original top-handled bag, was created in 1892 to carry boots and a harness. In 1923, it was modified for the wife of automobile magnate Ettore Bugatti to fit into a car’s side pocket. This design was called Torpedo No 1. Robert Dumas-Hermès redesigned it again in 1935, making it smaller, adding a belt and naming it the Sac à dépêches.

“In the age of travel, women needed a bag that was easy and safe to carry,” says Graham Wetzbarger, certified appraiser and authenticator. The Sac à dépêches fit the bill.

From 1955 onward, Grace Kelly was frequently spotted carrying her Sac à dépêches. Had Instagram been around in those days, #Kellysac would have included images of the star and her bag at the Cannes Film Festival and during the 1955 announcement of her engagement to Prince Rainier of Monaco. It would have included pics of Kelly and her bag on her royal honeymoon, and, yes, it would even have included images of the new princess using her bag to hide an emerging baby bump. She was a superstar marrying a prince, and her photo was everywhere.

By 1956, replicas of the “Grace Kelly handbag” were best sellers in America and Britain. By 1960, the Sac à dépêches had become a status symbol and was better known as the Kelly.

Find the perfect vintage Kelly bag for you on 1stDibs today.

Hermès for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right Handbags And Purses for You

An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.

Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.

“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bagBirkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”

First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.

They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”

From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.

Questions About Hermès
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
    The difference between the Kelly 25 and 28 is size. The Kelly bag is approximately 25 centimeters high, 19 centimeters wide and 9 centimeters deep. Larger in size, the Kelly 28 measures around 28 centimeters by 22 centimeters by 10 centimeters. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Hermès Kelly bags.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    Hermès is so special for a few reasons. The French luxury house is one of the most storied fashion labels in the world and has a rich heritage that dates back to 1837.

    Hermès began in Paris as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen. The house later 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 jewelry to pillows and handbags.

    Hermès artisans spend years honing their craft as apprentices before they produce Hermès pieces in premium materials. For example, the Kelly bag, which was named in tribute to one of its biggest fans, Grace Kelly, takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches are made by one Hermès artisan. Each Birkin tote is also hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, and its exotic leathers, a variety that includes ostrich and crocodile, are subsequently painted and polished by house craftsmen in France.

    On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Hermès handbags and accessories.