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Lot Details

WIDTH: 11 in. (28 cm.)
HEIGHT: 9 in. (22 cm.)
DEPTH: 5 in. (12 cm.)
ORIGIN: France
ACCESSORIES: None

LOT ESSAY
The Kelly bag came to success when it was first photographed donned by Princess Grace Kelly in 1956 as an attempt to hide her baby bump. Her name became so linked to the bag that Hermes renamed the “Sac à Dépêches” bag to “Kelly” in 1977. This was the start of the story we all know. Since then, the Kelly has been updated once in 2000. The Kelly II, released in 2000 as an update to the original Kelly, has a double ring at the top handle, designed to attach to a shoulder strap.

This bag, defined as “simple and perfectly made”, exists in many combinations of leathers (around 20) and countless colors. Created in eight different sizes ranging from 15 to 50cm, every bag requires 20 hours of work. As is the case for other Hermes products, the Kelly bag is handmade by an unique craftsman throughout the whole process.

Hermes

Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès, is a French luxury goods manufacturer established in 1837. It specializes in leather goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches, and ready-to-wear. Its logo, a Duc carriage with the horse, has been the insignia of the brand since the 1950s.

Founded by Thierry Hermès, the company started as a harness workshop servicing noblemen, creating high-quality wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade. Hermès's son, Charles-Émile, took over management from his father in 1880 and moved the shop to 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where it remains. The family-run business introduced saddlery and started selling their product retail catering to the elites of Europe, North Africa, Russia, Asia, and the Americas. In 1920, they added accessories and clothing collections to their growing product list.