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 Silver Paper Clip Money Clip Bookmark Dog Head
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremaly Rare and Lovely Authentic Hermès Clip Rounded end decorated with a dog's head in profile Can be used as money clip or paper clip, bookmark Vintage Item Made of silver ...
Hermès Sterling Silver Money Clip
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Money Clip Couture spirit with its openwork stitches Made of sterling silver 925 (minerva hallmark) Colorway: silvery "HERMÈS Ag 925" engraved at back Meas...
Hermès Mail Holder Book Holder Bookend Horse Bit Ravinet d'Enfert
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Mail or Book Holder Base in gilt metal adorned with 2 silver handles in the shape of a horse bit Designed by Ravinet d'Enfert "HERMÈS PARIS" and R...
Hermès Porcelain Cigar Ashtay Change Tray Yacht Porthole Boat Navy Theme
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Lovely Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: porthole, lifebuoy and pulleys Ideal for your yacht or perfect gift for any boat, sea, navy, navigation and sailing lover Made in F...
Hermès Gold and Silver Money Clip Paper Clip Gaetan de Percin Rare
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Beautiful Authentic Hermès Clip Can be used as money clip, paper clip, bookmark Designed by Gaetan de Percin (hallmark at back) Body made of sterling silver (Ag 925) and...
Exceptional Hermès Box Tennis Racquet Balls Print Ravinet d'Enfert
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Box Lid engraved with Tennis racquets and balls This is a vintage item, originally created to store cigarettes, but can be used for anything else M...
Hermès Set Cheval Natte Playing Cards
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès Cheval Natte Playing Card set designed by artist Tong Ren. The cards feature a braided texture and color block aesthetic. The set includes two decks of 55 silver-edged cards.
Hermès Wood Set Pipe and Pipe Holder Paperweight Horse Saddle Rodeo Texas
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional Authentic Hermès Setof Pipe and Pipe Holder Pipe Holder: in the shape of a small horse saddle Can be used as paperweight Rare vintage item Great gift for any pipe smo...
Exceptional Hermès Vintage Golf Ball Key Ring Keychain Silver and Vermeil
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Keychain Shape of a Golf Ball, surrounded by golden belt with H buckle Vintage item Made of silver and vermeil Colorways: silvery...
Hermès Paris Tennis Racquet Paper Clip Money Clip Tennis Ball
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Rare Authentic Hermès Paper Clip Made in France Vintage item Made of metal (non precious), wood and plastic Colorways: silver-tone, brown "HERMÈS" engraved in fr...
Hermès Feathers Ashtray Change Tray Porcelain Gold
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Beautiful Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: Feathers Made in France Vintage Item Made of porcelain, edges and notches hand- painted with fine gold Colorways: white, blue, green ...
Hermès Couverture Agenda Bloc Note Semainier Golden Leather Agenda Cover Hermes
By Hermès
Located in PARIS, FR
Hermès Weekly Planner cover in grained leather, gold or camel color, with saddle stitching. The interior features a pair of silver-tone metal clips to hold the notebook, planner, add...
Hermes Change Tray Etoupe NEW In Box
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes change tray with perforated Evelyn H. Beautifully crafted featuring Etoupe in Clemence leather. Nickeled clou de selle snaps. A beautiful des...
Hermès Shotgun Shells Seven Pencils Holder by Ravinet d'Enfert Bullets Shaped
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Rare Authentic Hermès 7 Pencils Holder In shape of shotgun cartridges No datation - probably vintage The bottom of the shells is golden, the body is silvery The base of the pencils holder is covered with navy blue leather "HERMES PARIS" engraved on the hardware and Ravinet d'Enfert craftsman's hallmark "HERMÈS PARIS" in golden letters on the leather Measurements: - 5,4 cm at highest (2,12 inches) - diameter of base is 7,5 cm (2,95 inches) - inner diameter of each shell is 1,1 cm (0,43 inch) Condition: Near new condition. NO ink traces May...
Hermes Ulysse PM Notebook Cover Vert Amande with Refill
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Ulysse PM model notebook cover features Vert Amande in Togo leather. Palladium Clou de Selle snap. Comes with notebook refill. Ea...
Hermès NIB Samarcande Paperweight
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Hermès Samarcande paperweight is beautifully sculptured with lightly sanded edges and a base made from cowhide. Comes with ribbon and...
Exceptional Hermès Ashtray Change Tray Golden Pineapple in Porcelain
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely and rare Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: Pineapples Made in France Vintage item Made of porcelain with golden edges Colorways: White, Blue, Green, Golden Bottom is cover...
Hermès Paris Belt Shaped Money Clip Silver
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Clip Can be used for money, paper, anything you need to clip In shape of a belt (can not be opened) Vintage Item Made of silver 800 Colorway: silvery "HER...
HERMES Vintage Equestrian Bottle Opener Paper Weight
By Hermès
Located in Nice, FR
HERMES Paris vintage silver tone equestrian bottle opener/paper weight, in the shape of a chess piece. Embossed HERMES PARIS Made in France. RAVINET D'ENFERT (RD with three-leaf clo...
Exceptional Hermès and Paul Jouve Leather Portfolio with Knocker Medor
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Absolutely Stunning Rare Authentic Paul Jouve by Hermès Portfolio Paul Jouve is a french artist, painter animal sculptor (1878-1973) Very nice Piece i...
Hermes Lao Paperweight Brain Teaser Acajou Ebenise Mahogany Wood
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Lao paperweight featured in Acajou Ebenise. In addition to its inherent charm, this exquisite solid ebonized mahogany Lao is a b...
Hermes Silver Horse Head Catch All Pin Tray
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Vintage Catch All Pin tray. Designed by Ravinet D'Enfert. Silver plated round tray with horse head handle. Stamped Hermes...
HERMES Vintage Silver Plated Horse Head Equestrian Desk Tray
By Hermès
Located in Nice, FR
HERMES vintage silver plated horse head equestrian desk tray featuring a crosshatching design. Originally designed as a desk accessory for pens and pencils, it can also accommodate ...
Hermes Ashtray La Source de Pegase Silver Limoges Porcelain New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Platinum La Source de Pegase Limoges porcelain ashtray. Hand painted platinum trim and decorated using chromolithography. White with Taupe design creates ...
Hermès Paris Stirrup Shaped Letter Opener Paper Cutter by Ravinet d'Enfert
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Letter Opener The upper end in the shape of a stirrup Made in France by Ravinet d'Enfert Vintage Item In silvery metal "HERMÈS.PARIS MADE IN FR...
Hermes Ulysse Mini Notebook Cover Bamboo Togo Leather New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Hermes Ulysse mini model notebook cover featured in vivid Vert Bamboo. Palladium Clou de Selle snap. Supple Togo leather. New or Store Fresh Condition. f...
Hermès Silver Money Clip Gaetan de Percin Spur Shaped Horse Texas
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Money Clip In shape of a spur Equestrian theme, horse ridding, Texas Vintage Item Made by Gaetan de Percin for Hermès ("GP" hallmark) Made of silver 800 (c...
Hermès Set of Notepad and Cover in Gold Leather Olympic Games Logo
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Rare Authentic Hermès Notepad Set including 2 Hermès notepads and their Hermès cover Cover is made of gold epsom leather, white stitch...
Hermes Samarcande Paperweight Terracotta Lacquered Wood
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Samarcnade paperweight featured in Terracotta lacquered wood. Crafted in layers of hand lacquered wood, and sanded to reveal the beauty of the colour. This exquisite paperweight can serve as a stand alone. No longer produced in the lacquered finish. Leather base stamped...
$1,599Sale Price|20% Off
Hermès Rare Desk Set With Cornucopia
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Incredible Hermes desk set comprising 4 pieces: two dishes (one is missing the leather back, the other one is in better condition), paper clips holder...
HERMES Vintage Stirrup Silver Money Clip
By Hermès
Located in Nice, FR
HERMES vintage silver money clip featuring a stirrup. Embossed HERMES. French silver crab hallmark. Indicative measurements : max. length approx. 5...
Hermès leather cards case
By Hermès
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
HERMES - Leather case including two card decks and one pen. Condition: Very good condition. A few light marks on leather. SKU:ACC448
Hermès Yellow Gold Money Clip Numbered Stirrup Spur Texas
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exeptional and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Moeny Clip In shape of stirrup with a spur Equestrian theme, horse ridding, Texas Vintage Item Made of yellow gold (eaggle head hallmark ...
Hermès Blue and Brown Catch All
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès catch all desk tray in blue and brown leather. The "Evelyne H" is stamped on the brown leather. For cleaning you can open the edges with the sn...
Hermes Porosus Crocodile Globetrotter Agenda Orange Feu
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Globetrotter Agenda beautiful Porosus Crocodile featured in Orange Feu. Inside lined in Chevre leather with rear slot p...
Hermès Silver Money Clip Paper Clip ORTF
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Clip Designed in the shape of the ORTF, Office de radiodiffusion-télévision française (French Broadcasting and Television Office) Can be used as money clip or...
Hermè Letter Opener Paper Cutter Bookmark Polo Player Ravinet D'Enfert
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Letter Opener Silver-plated metal openwork depicting a polo player (featuring the player, the horse, and the ball) Can be used as paper cutter or bo...
Hermes Le Felin Change Tray Hand Painted Porcelain Naturel
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Le Felin hand painted porcelain Change Tray in Naturel. Hand painted gold trim. Designed by Robert Dallet, a wildlife artist for the Museum of Naturel His...
Hermes Tray Jungle Love Emerald Limoges Porcelain New w/ Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Jungle Love Limoges porcelain tray featured in Emerald. Hand painted porcelain with hand painted platinum trim. This beloved print is timeless and highly ...
Hermès Set of 14 Notepads Tohu Bohu Pattern in Box
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Set of 14 Notepads Pattern: Tohu Bohu Made in France Cardboard covers, plain white pages inside Measurements (Length x Height) - ...
Hermès Trimmings Tassel Paper Clip Money Clip Ravinet d'Enfert
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Rare Authentic Hermès Paper Clip Limited edition numbered 38819 Designed by Ravinet d'Enfert for Hermès Vintage item Body in silver-tone metal, top decorated with...
Exceptional Hermès Pipe Holder Stirrup Shaped in Brass and Leather Texas
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Stunning and Rare Authentic Hermès Pipe Holder In shape of a stirrup Can hold up to 3 pipes (comes with no pipe) Made of gilded brass and leather, saddle stitching Colorways: gol...
Hermès Set of 13 Paper Clips Horse Head Shape in Box
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Set of 13 Authentic Hermès Paper Clips Pattern: shape of a horse's head From "Le sens de l'objet" Year (2017) Made of Metal (non precious) Colorway: S...
Hermes Paris Tennis Racquet Paper Clip Money Clip Tennis Ball
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional Authentic Hermès Paper Clip Very rare item ! Made in France Vintage item Made of Metal (non precious), wood and plastic Colorways: silver-tone, brown "HERMÈS" engra...
Hermès and Paul Jouve Leather Portfolio with Knocker Medor Ghw RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Absolutely Stunning Rare Authentic Paul Jouve by Hermès Portfolio Paul Jouve is a french artist, painter animal sculptor (1878-1973) Very nice Piece...
Hermes Culbuto Sellier Rollerball Pen Gold Barenia Leather New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Culbuto Sellier Rollerball Pen featured in Fauve Barenia calfskin. Palladium plated. Has a specific pressurized refill blue ink refill. Marvelous self bal...
HERMÈS Document Gripper
By Hermès
Located in Padova, IT
Hermès Vintage Selection by Corrado Luxury - Document clip made of gilded metal and various wood inlays. A skillfully crafted item from another era and part of a set of desk products...
Hermes Manufacture des Boucleries Mini Ashtray Set of Two Porcelain New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare Hermes Manufacture des Boucleries set of two ( 2 ) mini ashtrays. Rouge H and Terracotta colorway. A perfect accent piece f...
Hermes St. Louis Paperweight Dahlia Noir 2015 Limited Edition
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Saint-Louis Crystal 50 piece Limited Edition Dahlia Noir 2015 paperweight. This exquisite crystal paperweight is #17 of 50. Exquisite detail and craftsman...
Hermes Change Tray Zebra Pegasus Limoges Porcelain Rare Print
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes marvelous Zebra Pegasus Limoges porcelain change tray. Bougainvillier colourway features beautifully detailed feathered wings...
Hermes Change Tray Tatersale Multicolore Porcelain Hand Painted Trim New w/ Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes multicolored Tatersale change tray. Decorated in 18 colours using chromolithography. Hand painted platinum Trim. A decorative ashtray or tray piece perfec...
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.