HERMES Cream Silk Butterfly Print Sweater and Skirt Set Size 42 38
View Similar Items
HERMES Cream Silk Butterfly Print Sweater and Skirt Set Size 42 38
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.
- YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE Grey Wool Plaid Skirt Suit with Blue Size 38 40By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Yves Saint Laurent skirt suit is composed of a grey plaid wool with blue accents. The jacket has center front button closures. The skirt has a zipper closure. There is a small...Category
20th Century French Skirt Suits
- JEAN PATOU COUTURE Embellished White Gold & Navy Linen Dress Ensemble Size 2-4By Jean PatouLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Jean Patou Couture dress ensemble is composed of a beautiful white textured linen which is accented with rhinestones and beading. The jacket f...Category
1980s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- JACQUELINE DE RIBES Halter Dress with Cobalt Snakeskin Waist and Bolero Size 4-6By Jacqueline de RibesLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Jacqueline De Ribes ensemble is composed of a printed silk with hues of blue throughout and a blue snakeskin detail. There is a classic bolero style jacket and halter dress wi...Category
20th Century French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- MOSCHINO Off White Embroidered Stretch Skirt Suit Size 12By MoschinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Moschino skirt suit is composed of an off white stretch knit blend with embroidery and top-stitch details. The jacket features center front button closures and the classic penc...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- BON CHOIX White Lace Skirt Suit Size 4-6Located in Los Angeles, CAThis Bon Choix ensemble is composed of a white lace with scalloped edges. The jacket features center front button closures with a scalloped edge collar. The skirt has a classic pen...Category
20th Century French Skirt Suits
- TRAVILLA Color Pop Paint Splatter Floral Skirt Suit Size 6By TravillaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Travilla skirt suit is composed of a cream fabric with floral weave and a paint splatter design. The short sleeve jacket features a peplum style waist detail, and center front...Category
20th Century American Skirt Suits
- Resort 2012 L#6 NEW VERSACE FLORAL BLACK and WHITE SILK COTTON PANTS SUIT 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual PR-sample Resort 2012 Look # 6 Black and White Floral print pants suit Gold-tone hardware Asymmetrical details Content: Shirt: 100% cotton Pants:100 % s...Category
2010s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
$1,511 Sale Price35% Off - Missoni Dress and Cardigan Soft Pastel Colours Versatile 4 to 6By MissoniLocated in Miami, FLGuaranteed authentic Missoni terrific dress with matching cardigan. Wearable design in pastel soft colours makes this dress timeless. Classic Missoni knit in beautiful hues of b...Category
2010s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1970'S Blue & White Men's Disco Nautical Americana Ensemble With Shoes Sz 12, XLLocated in New York, NY1970'S Blue & White Men's Disco Nautical Americana Ensemble With Shoes Sz 12, XLCategory
1970s Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Fendi 3 Piece Pant Set Lace and Wool 6 NewBy FendiLocated in Miami, FLGuaranteed authentic Fendi stunning black lace button down top features slit sleeves. Fabric wraps and twists at the wrist to create a soft puff. Black spaghetti strap camisole goes ...Category
2010s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Anthony Charles for Koupy Dress and JacketBy Anthony CharlesLocated in London, GBA chic outfit for Fall, by Anthony Charles for Koupy. The jacket has a four button front opening and there are 2 breast pockets and 2 buttons on each c...Category
1960s British Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Timeless Grey Jil Sander work suit in freeze wool size 40By Jil SanderLocated in Bilbao, ESJill Sander founded her own fashion house Jil Sander in Rotherbaum, Hamburg, Germany in 1968 with her mother's sewing machine. Her first collection was for Hoechst, a chemical compan...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Skirt Suits
$217 Sale Price20% Off
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.