Hermes So Kelly 26 Bag Blue Jean Tote Shoulder bag
View Similar Items
Hermes So Kelly 26 Bag Blue Jean Tote Shoulder bag
About the Item
Kelly Bag
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. The company expanded their workshops to design handbags nearly half a century later. 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 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, she 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 handbag 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.
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.
- Chanel 23C Limited Edition Black 31 Rue Cambon Small Shopping ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a limited edition Chanel 23C 31 Rue Cambon small shopping tote featured in Black. Gold Hardware with signature CC logo. Exterior is Black mixed fiber fabric producing a rich textured look. CHANEL Paris CC in an off Black for a subtle and elegant effect. Black calfskin trim and magnetic closure. Tote has versatility with 2 top handles and for shoulder carry, the classic Chanel woven leather/Champagne Gold chain with shoulder pad. Black fabric interior with CC plaque 2...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags
- Hermes Birkin 30 Bag Jade Porosus Crocodile Palladium HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Birkin 30 bag features exquisite and breathtaking Jade in Porosus Crocodile. Show stopping and over the top fabulous! This rare and beautiful Hermes Bir...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Birkin 25 Bag Verso Vert Verone / Rose Lipstick Novillo Leather New w/BoxBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Birkin Verso 25 bag featured in Vert Verone with Rose Lipstick interior. This beautiful clear green is accentuated in the gorg...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Gucci Exclusive Limited Edition Turquoise Crocodile Irina Tote BagBy GucciLocated in Miami, FLGucci exclusive Limited Edition Turquoise fabulous large tote style bag featured in the softest, lightest Crocodile ever. This roomy treasure is a fantastic every day and travel bag...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags
- Hermes Birkin 30 Bag Bleu Aztec Chevre Gold Hardware Very RareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Birkin 30 bag featured in coveted Blue Aztec. This stunning rare colour is considered to be among the most gorgeous of all Hermes Blue hues. Chevre leather accentuates the beauty of Hermes colours...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Hermes Birkin 30 Bleu Mykonos Ostrich Bag Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a rare Hermes Birkin 30 bag featured in gorgeous Bleu Mykonos. This beautiful tone of Blue is neutral and perfect for year round wear. Lush with gold hardware. A magnificent addition to any Hermes Birkin collection...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- 2011 Chanel NEW Limited Edition watercolor graffiti tote beach bagLocated in Miami, FL2011 Beautiful watercolor tote; Very sought after bag, hard to find this bag in NEW condition. Brand new never used with box, dust bag, authenticity card Very spacious, can be worn ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- Chanel Classic Flap Electric Crochet Collectors Blue Cloth Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Classic Flap Electric Crochet Collectors Blue Cloth Shoulder Bag Year: 2014 Silver hardware Interior zipper pocket Interior blue canvas lini...Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Silky City Bag Printed Silk and Leather PMBy HermèsLocated in Scottsdale, AZThere is nothing quite like this amazing handbag! This handbag has an electric blue hue that will bring an unexpected flair to any ensemble. This is an authentic Hermès Silk City 33 bag from the year 2011! The body of the bag is featured in a ultra soft silk material complimented by a white leather strap. Make sure to zoom in to admire the cool details of this bag like the pleated ends of the straps and the cool horse print. It has silver hardware and a completely adjustable strap. It comes with an adorable detachable silk pouch on the interior. There are small traces of wear on the corners visible in the photos and the silk is slightly snagged in one place. Pair this amazing Hermes with a pair of grey Bottega Veneta trousers, a Prada white tank top...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Chanel large CC coated canvas beach toteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLNever worn As seen on Sex and the City the movie Has a large detachable interior pouch insert XL shopping tote with rope detail perfect for travel or vacation Very spacious tote th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- CELINE black & olive CALF HAIR MINI LUGGAGE Tote Shoulder BagBy CelineLocated in Zürich, CHCéline 'Mini Luaggabe' tote in olive calf hair with black calf hair gussets and black leather details. Zipper pocket on the front. Closes with a zipper on top. Lined in black leather...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
$3,512 Sale Price20% Off - Goyard White St Louis GM Chevron Leather Canvas Tote Bag NEW GiftBy Maison GoyardLocated in New York, NYGoyard White St Louis GM Chevron Leather Canvas Tote Bag NEW Brand New. Store Fresh. Pristine Condition (with plastic on handles) Perfect gift! Comes with yellow Goyard sleeper and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Iconic Hermès Bag Is Made from an Unexpected Material: Wood
From a house that specializes in covetable objects, this version of the Kelly is the rarest of finds.
A Short History of the World’s Most Iconic Designs
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.