HERMÈS Blue Electric & Blue Saphir Epsom Leather HSS Special Order Kelly 20cm II
View Similar Items
HERMÈS Blue Electric & Blue Saphir Epsom Leather HSS Special Order Kelly 20cm II
About the Item
Hermès
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.
- Fendi BLACK ZUCCA CANVAS & CALFSKIN LEATHER VINTAGE MAMA BAGUETTEBy FendiLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireFendi BLACK ZUCCA CANVAS & CALFSKIN LEATHER VINTAGE MAMA BAGUETTE CONDITION NOTES The exterior is in excellent condition with light signs of use. The interior is in excellent condit...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Hermès ROUGE VIF OSTRICH LEATHER KELLY 20CM SELLIERBy HermèsLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireHermès ROUGE VIF OSTRICH LEATHER KELLY 20CM SELLIER CONDITION NOTES The exterior is in excellent condition with light signs of use. The interior is i...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- HERMÈS Black Box Calf Leather Vintage Mini Kelly 20cmBy HermèsLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireHERMÈS Black Box Calf Leather Vintage Mini Kelly 20cm Serial Number: (U) Age (Circa): 1991 Accompanied By: Hermès Dust Bag, Shoulder Strap Authenti...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- Hermès JAUNE COURCHEVEL LEATHER KELLY 20CM SELLIERBy HermèsLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireHermès JAUNE COURCHEVEL LEATHER KELLY 20CM SELLIER CONDITION NOTES The exterior is in very good condition with moderate signs of use, with darkenin...Category
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- HERMÈS Black & Chocolate Gulliver Leather Vintage Kelly Quelle Idole DollBy HermèsLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireHERMÈS Black & Chocolate Gulliver Leather Vintage Kelly Quelle Idole Doll Serial Number: [D] Age (Circa): 2000 Accompanied By: Hermès Dust Bag, Box Authe...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- 2001 Hermes Rouge H Box Calf Leather Vibrato Kelly 28cm RetourneBy HermèsLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireHERMÈS Rouge H Box Calf Leather Vibrato Kelly 28cm Retourne Serial Number: [E] Age (Circa): 2001 Accompanied By: Hermès Dust Bag, Padlock, Keys, Clochet...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Fendi Bag 3Jours Matte Blue Crocodile Tote Medium New w/BoxBy Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld for FendiLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a Fendi 3Jours Medium Blue Matte Crocodile Bag. A rich and striking electric Blue matte crocodile tote with silver toned hardware. Double handle with top zip closure. Bag comes with a Blue matte crocodile clochette housing a silver Fendi embossed...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- S/S 2015 look # 9 VERSACE PERFORATED PATENT BLUE LEATHER BAGBy VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Collection Spring/summer 2015 look # 9 Gold-plated Medusa hardware Transparent plastic lining Content: 100% Patent leather Removable shoulder strap. Can be carried o...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Fendi Bag Peekaboo Mint Crocodile Medium Satchel Pastel Ice BlueBy Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi, FendiLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a Fendi Peekaboo Crocodile bag featured in Mint (Pale Ice Blue). This beautiful pastel medium Peekaboo bag is on trend for t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Vert Jade VIP Epsom Gold Shoulder BagBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYChicjoy is pleased to present this Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Vert Jade VIP Epsom Gold Hardware Brand New in Box. Store Fresh. Pristine Condition (with plastic on hardware) Perfect gift...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Aqua Lambskin Trendy CC Top Handle BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Aqua Lambskin Trendy CC Top Handle Bag is in pristine condition. A beautiful classic, the Trendy CC is a ladylike silhouett...Category
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Kelly Sellier 25 Blue Frida Bag Gold Hardware Epsom LeatherBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an exquisite Hermes Kelly 25 Sellier bag featured in richly saturated Bleu Frida. This exotic Hermes Kelly bag colour is a beautiful ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.