HERMES Rouge Garrance red Clemence leather BIRKIN 40 Tote Bag
View Similar Items
HERMES Rouge Garrance red Clemence leather BIRKIN 40 Tote Bag
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.
- OSCAR DE LA RENTA red LIZARD BOX Clutch BagBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Oscar de la Renta Box Clutch in red lizard leather. Opens with an orange and gold-tone clasp to a red silk satin interior. Has been carried once or twice and is in exc...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- BURBERRY red grainy leather TB SMALL Shoulder BagBy BurberryLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Burberry Small TB Shoulder Bag in red grained calfskin with a gold-tone metal Thomas Burberry Monogram clasp. Opens with a flap with c...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- VALENTINO red leather VRING LARGE TOTE BagBy ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Valentino large VRING tote bag in red leather featuring gold-tone metal logo plaque attachment at the front that is decorated with a matching red leather trim keyring ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- HERMES orange Clemence leather MASSAI PM Hobo Bag PalladiumBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermès Massai PM hobo in orange Taurillon Clemence leather with Palladium hardware. Opens with a two-way zipper on top and is lined in ...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- HERMES Curry yellow Clemence leather TRIM 31 M Hobo Bag GoldBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermès Trim 31 hobo in Curry yellow soft Taurillon Clemence leather featuring gold-tone hardware. Designed with adjustable shoulder handl...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- HERMES Noir black Clemence leather PICOTIN 22 LOCK Bag PalladiumBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermès Picotin 22 Lock bag in Noir (black) Taurillon Clemence leather featuring Palladium hardware. Unlined. Has been carried and is i...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Lipstick Open Tote Patent Black Vinyl LargeBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Lipstick Open Tote Patent Black Vinyl Large Exterior Color Black Interior Color Grey Exterior Material Patent Vinyl Interior Material Satin Hardware Color Silver Chanel Lipsti...Category
2010s Italian Luggage and Travel Bags
- Tumi Black Nylon Accented with Black Calfskin Travel ToteBy TumiLocated in New York, NYTumi Black Nylon accented with black calfskin double handle tote measures 16 inches by 5 1/2 inches. Height measures 10 1/2 inch, the double handle straps measures 9 inches in h...Category
Early 2000s American Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Ralph Lauren Large Textured Calfskin Olive-Green Double Handle ToteBy Ralph LaurenLocated in New York, NYRalph Lauren large textured calfskin olive-green double-handle tote accented with gilded gold hardware as well as gilded gold hardware footing along the bottom of the bag, mea...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Hermes HAC 40 Birkin Volynka Limited Edition Men's Bag Terre Palladium HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a rare very limited edition Volynka Russian leather Hermes 40 HAC bag (Haut a Courroies). It took Hermes six years to exhume its secrets to...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Hermes Burgundy Leather Short Travel BagBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage travel duffle by Hermes Zipper closure along top and side Two top handles Dimensions: 18" x 9" x 8" Condition: Okay, with noticeable wearCategory
Mid-20th Century Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Hermes Burgundy Leather Long Travel BagBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CATravel duffle by Hermes Zipper closure along top and side Two top handles Front pocket pouch Additional belt strap secure closure on top Dimensions: 24" x 13" x 10" Condition: Okay...Category
Mid-20th Century Luggage and Travel 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.