The Hermes Kelly: The Story of an Iconic Bag
The Kelly bag, a timeless Hermes icon
The Kelly bag is one of the house of Hermès' most iconic creations. Sleek, elegant, and refined, it perfectly embodies grace and femininity.
Now an essential piece in the female wardrobe, it is considered by many fashion enthusiasts today to be a true collector's item. But what is the origin of this legendary bag? Let's dive into the history of the Hermès Kelly bag!
The Hermes Kelly: The Origins
The history of the Hermès Kelly bag dates back to the end of the 19th century, in 1892, even though the bag did not yet bear this iconic name. It was the founder of the house, Thierry Hermès, who designed the 'Haut à Courroies' bag. Far from its current aesthetic appeal, this first version was distinguished above all by its functional aspect: it was actually a large dispatch bag, designed for horseback riders to carry equestrian equipment.
The decisive turning point came a few decades later, in 1935. Robert Dumas-Hermès, son-in-law of Thierry Hermès, decided to completely reinvent this leather bag.
First, he modified its silhouette, favoring a much more feminine trapezoidal shape. He then reduced its size, making it more practical and better suited for daily use. The success was immediate: this new bag instantly captivated female customers, won over by its chic yet understated look, which brought a touch of luxury and refinement to every outfit.
Princess Kelly
The lovely leather bag designed by Robert Dumas enjoyed relatively modest popularity for nearly 25 years. But an event was about to forever alter its destiny—and that of the luxury handbag itself.
It all began in 1954, when star actress Grace Kelly joined the cast of Alfred Hitchcock's film To Catch a Thief. To perfect her character’s style, she was given an Hermès bag, with which she immediately fell in love. She was rarely seen without it, even off the movie set. A minor detail, one might have thought. And yet...
Two years later, the Hollywood actress married Prince Rainier III, officially becoming Princess of Monaco. Over 30 million viewers watched the event live, catapulting Grace Kelly to global icon status. In 1958, she was photographed stepping off a plane, holding her faithful Sac à Dépêches in front of her stomach to conceal her pregnancy.
This now-iconic photograph made the cover of magazines around the world. Between her stunning coat, white gloves, and sunglasses, the Princess of Monaco single-handedly epitomized elegance and glamour. The Sac à Dépêches, too, was thrust into the spotlight. Its success was so immense that in 1977, the house of Hermès decided to officially rename it the 'Kelly' in tribute to the woman who made it immortal.
Anatomy of the Hermes Kelly
The Hermès Kelly bag stands out above all for its iconic design. Its elegant trapezoidal silhouette, available in various sizes ranging from 15 cm to 50 cm, is adorned with leather straps that cross over to secure the closure. But it is especially its small padlock, delicately locking the bag, that makes it instantly recognizable. Combining aesthetics, practicality, and functionality, this model sold in Hermès boutiques has established itself as a timeless staple of the women's wardrobe.
The refinement of the Kelly bag is not limited to its appearance; its materials also bear witness to absolute luxury. It comes in a wide palette of premium materials: lambskin, crocodile leather, ostrich leather, grained calfskin, Clémence taurillon leather, and many others.
Each person can thus find the model that perfectly matches their style or desires and wear it for any occasion, given the vast variety of available shapes and colors.
But that's not all! This bag is also the result of exceptional craftsmanship. One generally has to wait up to 4 years to acquire a custom-made model, with a single artisan dedicating between 18 and 20 hours to the handcrafting of a single piece.
Finally, every bag bears its own blind stamp, allowing its origin, the name of the artisan, and its year of manufacture to be traced.