In 1837, Thierry Hermès (1801–78) founded his eponymous luxury goods company in Paris as a saddle manufacturer, serving the era’s carriage trade. In 1880, under the stewardship of Thierry's son Émile-Charles, fine riding gear was added to its offerings to complement the saddles. Hermès eventually expanded their workshops to design handbags in the years that followed. The Kelly bag, originally introduced as the Sac à dépêches (“the dispatch bag”) in 1935, was created by Robert Dumas, son-in-law to Thierry's grandson Émile-Maurice Hermès.
Designed for independent women who wanted a piece that was both luxurious and efficient, the Kelly bag has a trapezoid shape, two triangular gussets, a sculpted flap and a handle.
To this day, the understated bag comprises 36 individual leather pieces, 16 studs and a signature padlock and leather key cover, with three layers of leather at the base to ensure the bag can stand upright. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
The Kelly bag earned its name during preproduction on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film, To Catch a Thief. Costume designer Edith Head sourced products from Hermès to outfit actress Grace Kelly, who fell in love with the Sac à Dépêches and continued to carry it long after the movie wrapped.
Months after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, Kelly was spotted carrying a brown pigskin Sac to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi. And while the oft-repeated claim that Kelly and her bag appeared on a Life magazine cover isn’t true, photography of the actress and her cherished accessory began to appear everywhere at the time, and the bag’s profile suddenly skyrocketed.
In 1977 Hermès officially changed the item’s name to the Kelly bag. Less than a decade later, Hermès introduced another top-handled bag to its line, also named after a style symbol, the Birkin bag.
The Paris-based British actress Jane Birkin sat next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas — Robert's son — on an Air France flight. He noticed her overflowing handbag, and she told him she longed for “a handbag that is bigger than the Kelly but smaller than Serge’s suitcase,” in reference to her then-romantic partner, the French musician Serge Gainsbourg. The Birkin bag was created in 1984, joining the Kelly in Hermès’ permanent collection.
Hermes Kelly 32 Limited Edition Lakis Bag Tosca Swift Leather Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes 32 Kelly Lakis limited edition bag featured in rich, saturated Tosca. Two front zipper pockets and one large rear zipper pocket for easy access - think ph...
New Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Noir Black Epsom Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Noir Black Epsom Gold Hardware New Never used. A Collectors Piece Measurements : 22cm High x 28cm Wide x 10cm Deep The Kelly bag came to success when it was ...
Hermès 2009 Sienne Clemence Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne Top Handle Bag
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Sienne Clemence Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1452 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 35cm Type: Top Handle Serial Number: [M]...
Natural Kelly 32 Unisex Structured Shoulder Bag - Excellent Condition
By Hermès
Located in Athens, GA
Hermes Natural Kelly 32 Swift Leather Bag. Light tan color. Smooth leather. Good condition. Restored at Hermes spa treatment. Gold hardware. Vintage Kelly bag. Interior clean. Includ...
Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Pouch Black Galop D'Hermes Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly Depeches 25 Pouch featured in Black very rare Galop D'Hermes Vache leather. Timeless with a flat grain, this lea...
Hermes Kelly 28 Bleu Lin Retourne Epsom w/Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
The Hermès Kelly 28 Retourne in Bleu Lin Epsom leather with gold hardware embodies a softer interpretation of luxury, pairing the graceful lines of the Kelly with one of Hermès’ most...
HERMÉS KELLY BAG, 2 way, 35 cm, Epson leather, H in squer, Kollektion 2004
By Hermès
Located in Stuttgart, DE
HERMÉS KELLY BAG, 2 way, 35 cm, Epson leather in brown and ornage, inside the bag, H in squer, collektion 2004, Customized design, verry good condition, Made in France Dimensions: ...
Hermès 2023 Etoupe Togo Leather Kelly 25cm Retourne Handbag
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Etoupe Togo Leather Kelly 25cm Retourne Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1474 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 25cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder Serial Number: B Age: 2023 Accompanied By...
Hermes Kelly Idole Mini Quelle Bag Charm Sable Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a very rare limited edition Hermes Kelly Idole bag charm featured in Sable, Nata, H Orange and Brique Tadelakt leather. Whimsical and delightful this fabulous charm...
Hermès Bleu Indigo, Black, Cuivre Togo & Box Calf Au Galop Leather Kelly 28cm
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
"Hermès Bleu Indigo, Black, Cuivre Togo & Box Calf Au Galop Leather Kelly 28cm Retourne Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1067 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 28cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder ...
Hermès 2023 Gris Meyer Swift Leather Padded Kelly 25cm Sellier Top Handle Bag
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Gris Meyer Swift Leather Padded Kelly 25cm Sellier Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1463 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 25cm Type: Top Handle, Should...
Hermes Kelly 25 Black Tadelakh Sellier Gold HW Complete Original Receipt 2022
By Hermès
Located in Forest Park, GA
Hermes Kelly 25 Black Sellier Tadelakh Gold Hardware Z The Hermès Kelly 25 in Black Sellier Tadelakt Leather with Gold Hardware, stamped Z, is ...
Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Noir Black Epsom Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Noir Black Epsom Gold Hardware New Never used. Rest of Boutique Stock. Measurements : 22cm High x 28cm Wide x 10cm D...
HERMÉS KELLY Retourne 32 cm bag in toile beige, Courchevel blue leather 1995s
By Hermès
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Iconic Hermès "Kelly Retourne" 32 cm 2 way bag (Made in France), beige Canvas and ''Courchevel dark blue leather. Stamped with Y - 1995. Measurement Height 23 cm - Width of t...
Hermés Kelly Jump Backpack Bag In Noir Swift Leather GHW 2025
By Hermès
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Hermès Kelly Jump backpack bag. The exterior of this Kelly Jump is crafted in Noir Swift leather, and is complemented with gold-tone hardware and tonal stitching. It features ...
Hermès White Clemence Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès White Clemence Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne Product Details Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 35 Product Title: White Clemence Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne Type: Top Handle, Shoulder ...
Hermès Black Sombrero Leather Kelly 25cm Sellier Handbag, 2020
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Black Sombrero Leather Kelly 25cm Sellier Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1476 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 25cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder Serial Number: Y Age: 2020 Accompanied...
HERMES KELLY BAG 2 WAY 35 cm, CHEVRE LEATHER IN BLACK, KOLLECTION 1998 - B
By Hermès
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Hermes Kelly Bag 35 cm, 2 way, Chevre leather in black, a very insensitve leather, marked with B - 1998 the square . Very good condition - ...
$14,464Sale Price|20% Off
Hermes Orange Kelly 28 Bag
By Hermès
Located in Athens, GA
Hermes Orange Kelly 28 Bag. Classic orange color with silver palladium hardware. Interior clean. Good condition. Rare size 25 Kelly. Includes clochette, lock, keys, and dust bag. Gua...
Hermès 2008 Rouge Garance Togo Leather Kelly 32cm Retourne Handbag
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Rouge Garance Togo Leather Kelly 32cm Retourne Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1473 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 32cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder, Crossbody Serial Number: [L] Ag...
Hermes Kelly Doll Charm Bag Bleu Electric, Feu, Jaune de Naples
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Playful yet meticulously crafted, this Hermès Kelly Doll Bag Charm captures the house’s whimsical side while preserving its uncompromising attention to ...
Hermes Rose Tyrien/ Tosca Epsom Leather 32cm Candy Kelly Bag PHW
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Rose Tyrien/ Tosca Epsom Leather 32cm Candy Kelly Bag Made in: France Year of Production: 2013 Color: Rose tyrein Materials: Epsom leather Lining: Tosca chevre leather Hardwa...
Hermes Kelly II Sellier 25 Epsom Vert Vertigo/Vert Fizz/Blue Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Aventura, FL
The Hermès Kelly II Sellier Bag is a captivating accessory meticulously crafted for your needs. This 25cm bag is fashioned from exquisite Calfskin leather and accented with Palladium...
Hermes Nata Off-White Epsom Leather Kelly To Go Wallet Crossbody Bag
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Nata Epsom Leather Kelly To Go Wallet Crossbody Bag Made In: France Year of Production: 2022 Color: Nata beige Hardware: Goldtone Materials: ...
$32,800Sale Price|20% Off
Hermès Kelly 25cm Sellier Rose Jaipur With Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This Hermès Kelly 25cm Sellier is crafted in supple Rose Jaipur leather, offering a soft yet structured texture that holds its sculpted silhouette beautifully. The warm pink hue shif...
HERMÉS KELLY Sellier 2 way bag 35 cm gold Courchevel leather, stamp B /1998
By Hermès
Located in Stuttgart, DE
A gorgeous Hermès Kelly Sellier 35 cm bag in gold Courchevel leather (Made in France). The gold Courchevel leather is complemented with gold ...
Hermès Kelly Mini II Cuivre Chèvre Mysore PHW
By Hermès
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful Hermès Kelly Mini II handbag. The exterior of this Kelly Mini features Cuivre Chèvre Mysore leather and is complemented by palladium hardware and tonal stitchings. It has...
Hermès Black Lizard Micro Kelly Bag Charm with Twilly
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This Hermès Micro Kelly bag charm is crafted in sleek black lizard leather, offering a textured, glossy surface that feels refined and tactile. Its min...
Hermès Women's Kelly Pochette Black Swift PHW Bag
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
This authentic Hermès Kelly Pochette in Black Swift leather is a refined miniature interpretation of the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, crafted in smooth black Swift leather with sleek pal...
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A symbol of luxury and elegance, the design has a storied past and a legion of devoted collectors.