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Kelly Bag
Iconic Designs

Kelly BagBy Hermès

About the Design

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 Bag

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Hermès Geranium Togo Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Geranium Togo Leather Kelly 35cm Retourne Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1443 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 35cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulder Serial Number: [P] Age: 2012 Accompanie...
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2010s French Top Handle Bags

HERMES KELLY BAG; 32 cm, 2 way, retourne, Courchevel leather, 1982 = L
By Hermès
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Hermés 2 way Kelly bag, Retourne, 32 cm, Curchevel leather in gold, Collection L in circle = 1982 with long autentic Strap, Lock and Key and Hermes dustbag included. MADE IN FRANCE ...
Category

1980s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Hermes Kelly Sellier 32 Epsom Leather Rubis Palladium Hardware Handbag
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Located in Aventura, FL
This is an authentic HERMES Epsom Kelly Sellier 32 in Rubis. This stunning Hermes classic handbag is beautifully crafted in stamped Epsom calfskin leather in dark red. A single rolle...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags

Hermès Pink Magnolia Togo 25 cm Kelly
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Pink Magnolia Togo 25 cm Kelly is in pristine condition. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxury item worldwide. Each pie...
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2010s French Top Handle Bags

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 Brand- Hermès Model- Kelly 28cm Product Type- Shoulder, Top Handle Serial Number- * Age- Circa...
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2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Gold Mini Kelly 20 Sellier Epsom Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Jewels Aficionado offers the Hermès Gold Mini Kelly 20 Sellier in Epsom leather, a timeless statement piece. Its warm brown hue with caramel undertones enhances the structured silhou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermes Etoupe Kelly 25 Swift Padded Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Jewels Aficionado offers an Hermès Etoupe Kelly 25 in Swift leather that is an elegant and refined piece. The warm taupe hue complements the soft, supple texture of Swift leather, wh...
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21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Rare White Dalmatian Retourne Kelly 35 PHW
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermès Rare White Dalmatian Retourne Kelly 35 PHW SKU: 111224 Handbag Condition: Very Good Condition Comments: Very Good Condition. Scratching to hardware. Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly Origin Country: France Handbag Silhouette: Shoulder Bag; Top Handle Size (Specific): 35 Year Manufactured: 2001 Features Interior: One zip pocket. Two slip pockets Interior Material: Leather Interior Color (Generic): Blue...
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Early 2000s Top Handle Bags

Hermès Bleu Electric & Gris Tourterelle Togo Leather Special Order HSS Kelly28cm
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Bleu Electric & Gris Tourterelle Togo Leather Special Order HSS Kelly 28cm Sellier Product Details Xupes Ref: CB1475 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 28cm Type: Top Handle, Shoulde...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermés Kelly Sellier 25cm Vert Verone Veau Epsom GHW
By Hermès
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous Hermès 25cm Kelly bag. The exterior of this Kelly features a Sellier style in Vert Verone Veau Epsom leather. The Vert Verone Epsom leather is complemented with gold-tone hardware and tonal stitchings. It features a front toggle closure with two straps, a single rolled handle and a removable shoulder strap. The interior is lined with Vert Verone leather and has one zip pocket with an Hermès engraved...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 28cm Cobalt Togo Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Sydney, New South Wales
Brand: Hermes Product: Kelly Retourne Size: - CM: L 28 cm x H 20.5 cm x D 11 cm - INCH: L 11" x H 8.5" x D 4.5" Colour: Cobalt Material: Togo Leather Hardware: Palladium Year: ...
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2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 28 Cactus Sellier Bag with GHW in Courchevel leather
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Kelly 28 Cactus Sellier Bag with GHW. Courchevel leather. Vintage rare piece. Y round circle stamp-1995. Vintage piece in great condition. Chourchevel leather was discontinu...
Category

2010s French Tote Bags

Hermes Kelly 25 Bubblegum Purple Two-Tone Swift Leather Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Aventura, FL
Wonderful Hermes Kelly 25 cm handbag in Bubblegum / Purple Swift leather, hardware in Palladium, simple handle in Bubblegum Swift leather, one removable strap in Bubblegum Swift leat...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags

Hermès Etoupe Swift Leather Kelly Moove
By Hermès
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Hermès Etoupe Swift Leather Kelly Moove Product Details Xupes Ref: BB007 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly Moove Type: Shoulder, Crossbody, Belt Bag, Clutch Serial Number: B Age: 2023 Acco...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags

Hermes Kelly II Retourne 28 Veau Swift Anemone
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Kelly II Retourne 28 Veau Swift Anemone, Palladium Hardware Condition: Brand New Material: Swift Leather Measurements: (W)28cm × (H)22cm × (D)11.5cm Hardware: Palladium plat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermès Rouge Garance Togo Leather Kelly 32cm Retourne
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...
Category

Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Red Kelly 35 Bag
By Hermès
Located in Athens, GA
Hermes Red Kelly 35 Bag. Epsom sellier Kelly bag. Rare size in sellier. Palladium silver hardware. Interior clean. Plastic is still on hardware. Looks like new condition. Includes cl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Shoulder Bags

Hermès Blue Electric Kelly Doll Bag Charm
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Blue Electric Kelly Doll Bag Charm is brand new. Adorable iconic Kelly Bag in bright Electric Blue with Palladium hardware and co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Wallets and Small Accessories

Hermès Intense Blue Evercolor 28 cm Kelly with Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Intense Blue Evercolor 28 cm Kelly is in pristine condition with the protective plastic intact on the hardware. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxu...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Kelly II retourné soleil
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Kelly II retourné 35 HERMES Togo soleil Condition: very good Country of manufacture : France Collection : Kelly II retourné Genre : unisex Material : togo leather Interior : leather ...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

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 - ...
Category

1990s French Shoulder Bags

Hermès Mustard Yellow 25 cm Kelly with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Mustard Yellow 25 cm Kelly is in pristine condition. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxury item worldwide. Each piece is h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 28 Rouge Grenat Epsom Leather Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Aventura, FL
This bag, defined as “simple and perfectly made”, exists in many combinations of leathers (around 20) and countless colors. Created in eight different sizes ranging from 15 to 50cm, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags

Hermès 28 cm Jaune de Naples Yellow Epsom Kelly Sellier
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès 28 cm Jaune de Naples Yellow Epsom Kelly Sellier is in pristine condition with the protective plastic intact on the hardware. H...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Black Lizard Micro Kelly Bag Charm with Twilly
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Black Lizard Micro Kelly Bag Charm is in pristine condition. Adorned with a colorful twilly, this tiny exotic Kelly is the ultim...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Novelty Bags

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 ...
Category

1990s French Shoulder Bags

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