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.
Hermès Double Sided Wooden Photo Frame
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Beautiful Authentic Hermès Photo Frame Made of wood, brown suede leather at base Completely empty in its center, allowing vision from bot...
Exceptional Hermès Cigar Ashtray Change Tray Cacao Cocoa in Porcelain
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Ashtray Delicate drawing, lovely colorways, shiny at light, a super chic item Print: cocoa tree flower and cocao pod Made in France Made of printed porcelain Golden edges and notches Beige leather at bottom Colorways: White, Purple, Green, Yellow, Golden "HERMÈS - PARIS" and "Made in France" in golden letters on sides Measurements: 19 cm x 15,5 x 3,7 cm (7,48 x 6,1 x 1,45 inches) Condition: Excellent. No chip, no break, no burn traces. Very Golden may show slight signs of wear. Bottom leather clean...
Hermès White Hermine Print Cigar Ashtray Change Tray Porcelain and Platinum
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare and Lovely Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: White Ermine Made in France Made of porcelain, hand painted platinum notches and edges Color...
Set of 2 Framed Carriages Engravings from the Hermès Collection RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare opportunity to get 2 drawings from the Hermès Collection Prints: Carriages First one: "n°.118. Calèche bas de berline derrière col de cigne de...
Hermes Multicolor Horse Mini Porcelain Ashtray Organizer
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Hermès Multicolor Mini horse porcelain de Limoges organizer from Hermes Pre-Owned featuring a rectangular shape, a striped horse riding blanket inspired by « Couvertures et tenues de...
Hermes Lacque Box Terracotta Carved H Lid Rare Vintage Lacquared Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Cavales Box. Engraved hand-lacquered wood. Exquisite in Black. Beautiful container to keep your mementos in secret! New or P...
Hermes Passifolia Medium Vegetable Bowl New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Medium Vegetable Bowl featured in the classic Hermes Passifolia pattern. A beautiful hommage to the peace and power of fl...
Hermes Vintage Travel Razor Shaving Set Brown Leather Case
By Hermès
Located in Rome, Rome
Rare and hard to find vintage travel razor in case by Hermes - Paris. Possibly dating back to the 1940s. Two piece 'Wardonia - Sheffield' safety razor in metal. The razor comes in a ...
$759Sale Price|20% Off
Hermès Visionaire Limited Edition Case
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Visionaire collaboration with Hermès for issue #32, brings us this exquisite and collectible item. A set of 53 postcards in a leather shell. Unused. Comes with duster and box.
Hermes Passifolia Dinner Plate #2 Set of 2
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a set of two (2) Hermes Dinner Plates #2 featured in the classic Hermes Passifolia pattern. A beautiful hommage to the peace and...
Hermes Mosaique Au 24 Soup Plate Gold Set of 2 New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Mosaique Au 24 Soup Plate Set of 2 featured in porcelain and Gold. The mosaic motif reflects the mosaic floor at the entran...
Hermes Pleiade Tissue Box Small Model Mahogany Wood Brique Leather
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Pleiade small model Tissue Box featured in Mahogany and Brique Taurillon leather. Modern and elegant with white topstitch on the leather. Magnetic closure...
Hermes Pleiade Tissue Box Small Model Mahogany Wood Etoupe Leather
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Pleiade small model Tissue Box featured in Mahogany and Etoupe Taurillon leather. Modern and elegant with white topstitch on the leather. Magnetic closure...
Vintage HERMES Cornucopia Metal and Leather Cigarette Box
By Hermès
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage HERMES Cornucopia Metal and Leather Cigarette Box Features: - 100% Authentic HERMES. - Cigarette box is in silver tone metal and black l...
Hermes Mises Et Relances Black Change Tray / Desk Tray
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Mises et Relances change tray with perforated Evelyn H. Beautifully crafted featured in Black Clemence leather. Nic...
Hermes Cavales Lacquered Box Rouge H New w/ Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a limited edition Hermes Cavales box. Engraved hand-lacquered wood. Exquisite in Rouge H. Fits 2 twillies or use it to keep your memen...
Hermes The Smile Photo / Menu Holder New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a vintage Hermes the Smile Photo /Menu Holder picture holder featured in brushed steel and palladium. Holds 1 photo just above the silver H...
Hermes Cavales Lacquered Box Black Engraved Lid Wood Engraved Lid
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a limited edition Hermes Cavales box. Engraved hand-lacquered wood. Exquisite in Black. Beautiful container to keep your mementos in s...
Hermes Vintage Art de la Table Wood Shelf Talker Square Plate
By Hermès
Located in Rome, Rome
Vintage Hermes Shelf talker/Plate with 'Hermes Art de la table - Paris' lettering. Square-shaped. Made in wood, with upper side in light gold colored metal. Measurements: 6.5 x 6.5 i...
Hermes Cavales Lacquered Twilly Box Rouge H
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Cavales Silk Twilly Box. Engraved hand-lacquered wood. Exquisite in Rouge H. Fits 5 twillies or use it to keep your mementos...
Hermes Lacquered Wood Chamonix Chakor Plateaux GM Chartreuse
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermès Vintage Lacquered Wood Chamonix Chakor Tray in rich Chartreuse. This GM size tray is crafted from fine wood and finished with a thick, glossy lacquer. The...
Hermes Mises Et Relances Carre D'H Change Tray Rouge and Fauve
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Mises et Relances Carre D'H change tray. Beautifully crafted featuring Rouge and Fauve taurillon leather. Micro perforation on...
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.