HERMÈS belt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Length: 27.56 in (70 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Rubiera, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2828220116302
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Rubiera, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel cashmere twin set Fall 1996 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, REChanel twin set Fall 1996 collection Cardigan and shirt 1/2 sleeves in rust red cashmere with micro sequins. Bright electric blue gaskets. Logo butto...Category
1990s British Twin Sets
- Valentino Boutique Jacket and Dress 80sBy ValentinoLocated in Rubiera, REValentino Boutique vintage 80s Damask red silk with black polka dots dress suit 100% silk Size 12US Made in Italy The dress has a bodice with splints inside The jacket has padded sho...Category
1980s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Chanel topBy ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL Red and navy top 75% cotton 17% cashmere 8% silk Size FR 42 Made in Italy Flat measures: Length cm. 64 Shoulders cm. 28 Bust cm. 37 Excellent conditionCategory
2010s Italian Shirts
- Cartier scarfBy CartierLocated in Rubiera, RECartier Le must de Cartier silk scarf cm. 90 x90 approx copyrigth no label hand rolled hem Darrk green, red .... Good conditionCategory
1980s Italian Scarves
- Gucci silk scarfBy GucciLocated in Rubiera, REGucci - silk scarf "Vendemmia" 1970s Hand rolled hem cm. 87x88 Label Good conditionCategory
1970s Italian Scarves
- Prada shoes IT36By PradaLocated in Rubiera, REPRADA Open-toe shoes in patent leather in the colors of turquoise, light green and light gray Size IT 36 Heel cm. 3 Made in Italy New with boxCategory
2010s Italian Shoes
- 1970s Ungaro Accordion Pleat Red Ribbon BeltBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in London, GBThis 1970s elaborate ribbon belt by Emmanuel Ungaro is the perfect accessory for any bohemian outfit. The main section of the belt is made up of finely pleated red ribbon, with a str...Category
1970s French Belts
- Valentino NIB Raffia Leather Wide BeltBy ValentinoLocated in West Hollywood, CAValentino new wide woven raffia and black leather logo belt, gold hammered buckle. 85 cm/34”, original dust cover and box .Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Belts
- Gianni Versace Red Leather Women's Belt with Metal DetailsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITBeautiful red leather belt by Gianni Versace, Made in Italy. Really special piece to make your outfit more sophisticated. The belt is made of a soft leather and has details on the le...Category
1980s Italian Belts
- HERMES red Jaipur pink 32mm Reversible Belt Strap 100 Swift / Epsom leatherBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% auth Hermes 32mm reversible belt strap in Vermillon (red) Veau Swift and Rose Jaipur (coral) Veau Epsom leather. Brand new. Comes wit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Belts
- Ted Lapidus multicolored sude with cord beltBy Ted LapidusLocated in New York, NYTed Lapidus multicolored suede belt is accented with yellow cord braided together. The width measures 1 1/2" and 33" in length. The belt is sized 70/French.Category
1970s French Belts
- Norma Kamali deep red leather beltBy Norma KamaliLocated in New York, NYNorma Kamali deep-red leather belt comes in two parts. One measures 20", and the other measures 12 1/2". Both with a width of 2". Size small.Category
1980s Italian Belts
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.