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 Maxi - Twilly Slim Lalbhai Roux/Vert/Marron New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Lalbhai featured in Roux, Vert and Marron. This iconic newly adapted Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad ways ...
Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Lalbhai Marine / Ciel / Abricot New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Lalbhai featured in Marine, Ciel and Abricot. This iconic newly adapted Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad wa...
Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Cut Coup de Fouet au Bloc Indigo/Orange/Blanc New/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Cut Coup de Fouet au Bloc featured in Indigo, Orange and Blanc. This iconic Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad way...
Printed silk Carré scarf "Nikko" Hermès
By Hermès
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed silk Carré scarf "Nikko" design by RYBAL . SIZE 90cm X 90cm
1967 Hermès "Ceres" Silk Twill Carre Scarf
By Hermès, Françoise Faconnet
Located in Geneva, CH
First issued in 1967 (our "Carré is most probably from that original edition), "Cerès" was designed by the talented Françoise Faconnet. Celebrating the Roman goddess of agriculture, ...
Hermès New Lazy Leopardess Silk Scarf
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès new Lazy Leopardess silk scarf . Pink color way. Hand rolled edges. Comes with original box.
Hermes Le Timbalier by F Heron Silk Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Hermes silk scarf "Le Timbalier" by Francoise Heron featuring an ochre border, a Hermès signature. In good vintage condition. Made in France. 35,4in. (90...
Hermès Cotton Scarf "Huile Rafraichissante À L'Usage" 1983
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Hermès Cotton Scarf "Huile Rafraichissante À L'Usage" 1983. Please note this item is in good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use. This beautiful scarf was designed ...
Hermès Giant Silk Shawl Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Absolutely Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Vintage Shawl Photos does not make justice to this extremely rare and lovely scarf Print: Oriental Drawings Colorways are so bright ! It is an...
Chanel New Gray Cashmere Map Shawl
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Chanel Gray Cashmere Shawl features an outlined map in black. Measuring 52" x 52" it is perfect for any occasion.
Hermès 1999 Pythagore Vintage Silk Twill Scarf Pink Aqua Unisex 36"
By Hermès
Located in Rubiera, RE
Hermès "Pythagore" silk twill scarf (100% silk) - Vintage Designed by Zoe Pauwels in 1999 Measures 36" x 36" Signed Care Tag Hand Rolled Hem Made in France Pink/Aqua/White Excellent...
Hermès Paris Scarf Souvenirs d'Asie by Vladimir Rybaltchenko
By Hermès
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Hermès scarf - Collectors item We offer more Hermes and exclusive vintage items, view our frontstore Details: Color; purple/ pink Very sought after among Hermes collectors Designe...
Burberry New with Tags Silk Puffer Scarf Wrap with Letter Logo
By Burberry London, Burberry
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous puffer wrap, scarf, shawl in bright orange with black lettering depicting Burberry's Horseferry logo and the year the company was established in London on the front, solid...
$720
W 35.44 in L 35.44 in
Hermès scarf PRESENTATION HERMES de CHEVAUX 1980 Ledoux Philippe Foulard en soie
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
PRESENTATION HERMES DES CHEVAUX 1980 Silk square Ledoux Philippe This elegant scarf represents the musketeers and their horses. The musketeers were the guard of King Louis XIII and ...
Beautiful Hermès Shawl Jeux de Paille Birds Cashmere and Silk Red 138 cm
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely Authentic Hermès Shawl Print: "JEUX DE PAILLE" (straw games) Pattern: Birds, Butterflies, Flowers Designed by Françoise de la Perrière in 1984 Made in France Made of 65% ...
Hermes Beaded Guepards Maxi -Twilly Slim Black and White
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Hermes embellished Guepards Maxi-Twilly Slim featured in Black and White. Beautiful bronze metallic beading at tips. Beading throu...
Hermes Maxi-Twilly Slim Guepards Rouge / Brun
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Guepards featured in Rouge / Beige Dore / Brun. This iconic newly adapted Hermes accessory can be worn in a ...
Hermes Plisse Pleated Black/Green Floral Silk Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Hermes scarf is known for being a never-ending source of accessorizing! Do not miss out on the chance to snag this highly detailed accordion scarf for your collection. No longer just a scarf, countless creative ideas of showing off these art pieces have been shared over the years, like framed and hung as home decor, several ways of converting it into various fashionable tops and skirts, neckties, belts. Ever since 1937, the silk scarves of Hermès have become an iconic fashion accessory that is recognized all over the world. Hermès scarves and shawls have been collected and adorned by celebrities and royals throughout history, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly and even Queen Elizabeth II. Artists are commissioned to create these beautiful works of art usually including 20 to 30 different colors. The scarfs are printed from a silkscreen process that can take hundreds of hours to complete. They take so incredibly long because each one is painstakingly screen-printed, with each color allowed to dry before the next is applied. These art pieces have proved to be timeless collectable pieces of history. This scarf would be a great to take with on your next vacation. I recommend styling this 100% silk scarf with a great tweed Chanel bag...
Hermes Plisse Pleated Paisley Silk Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Hermes scarf is known for being a never-ending source of accessorizing! Do not miss out on the chance to snag this highly detailed accordion scarf for your collection. No longer just a scarf, countless creative ideas of showing off these art pieces have been shared over the years, like framed and hung as home decor, several ways of converting it into various fashionable tops and skirts, neckties, belts. Ever since 1937, the silk scarves of Hermès have become an iconic fashion accessory that is recognized all over the world. Hermès scarves and shawls...
Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Lalbhai Bleu Jean / Parme / Rose New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Lalbhai featured in Bleu Jean, Parme and Rose. This iconic newly adapted Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad w...
Hermes Maxi-Twilly Slim Guepards Fuchsia / Rose Vif / Prune New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Guepards featured in Fuchsia, Rose Vif and Prune. This iconic Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad ways to add a playful touch to y...
Hermes Maxi-Twilly Slim Guepards Reglisse / Taupe / Gris New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Guepards featured in Reglisse / Taupe / Gris. This iconic Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad ways to add a playful touch to your ...
Hermes Maxi-Twilly Slim Animapolis Rose Vif / Jaune Vif / Vert New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi-Twilly Slim Animapolis featured in Fuchsia, Jaune Vif and Vert. This iconic Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad ways to add a playful touch to y...
Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Guepards Orange / Beige Dore / Brun New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Guepards featured in Orange / Beige Dore / Brun . This iconic Hermes accessory can be worn in a myriad ways to add a playful touch to y...
Hermes Maxi - Twilly Slim Mors A Jouets Chemise Rose Vif / Jaune Vif / Vert New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes silk Maxi - Twilly Slim featured in Mors A Jouets Chemise. Vibrant Rose Vif / Jaune Vif and Vert. Designed by Henri d'Origny. This iconic Hermes accessory...
Hermes Twillon Jeu De Soie Gris Noir Menthol New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes silk scarf Twillon Jeu De Soie features Gris Noir and Menthol. Playful play on the twilly this longer version is cut from a silk scarf and reveals unique ...
Hermes Pink/Multicolor Collector's Belles Du Mexique 90CM Silk Scarf
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Pink/Multicolor Collector's Belles Du Mexique 90CM Silk Scarf Made In: France Color: Pink/multi-color Materials: 100% silk Overall Condition: Excellent pre-owned condition w...
Epsom is a stamped or embossed calf leather (as opposed to being a grained leather like Togo or Clemence, or a smooth leather like Swift or Box). It is lightweight and stiff; thus Epsom is known for its ability to retain structure over time. Epsom is the primary leather used to make Sellier Kelly and Birkin bags which feature outside stitching on its edges which result in a crisp and sharp line. Epsom is more rain-resistant than other calf leathers.
Select Hermes goods go on sale twice a year in Paris, but Birkins – being highly coveted–are not known to be found at the sale.