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Kelly Bag
Iconic Designs

Kelly Bag

About the Design

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.

Hermes Kelly Bag

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Hermès Vintage Black Box Calf 35 cm Kelly with Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Black Box Calf 35 cm Kelly is in excellent vintage condition. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxury item worldwide. Each piece is handcrafted with wait...
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Late 20th Century French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 28 Gold Peau Porc Leather Bag Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 28 bag features Gold in rare Peau Porc leather. Finished with palladium hardware and winter white top stitch. Comes with shoulder strap, sleeper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Mini Kelly 20 Sellier Jaune Bourgeon Bag Chevre Leather Palladium Hardwar
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier bag featured in Jaune Bourgeon. Gorgeous muted lime. Chevre leather accentuated with Gold hardware. ...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermès Greige Togo 28 cm Kelly with Pallladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Greige Togo 28 cm Kelly is in excellent plus condition. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxury item worldwide. Each piece...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly Verso 20 Sellier Mini Bag Deep Bleu / Bleu Izmir Epsom Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly Verso 20 Mini Sellier bag featured in Deep Blue and Blue Izmir interior.. Espom leather accentuated with Palladiu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly Sellier HSS 20 Nata / Bordeaux Gold Hardware Epsom Mini Bag
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Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 20 HSS Mini Sellier bag featured in neutral Nata. Accentuated with rich jewel toned Bordeaux. Rich with Epsom leather ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 20 Sellier Mini Texas Rose Epsom Leather Palladium Hardware
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Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier bag featured in Rose Texas. Hermes Rose Texas is a fabulous pop of colour in pink with a orange/c...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier Mauve Sylvestre Bag Epsom Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier bag in gorgeous soft Mauve Sylvestre. Epsom leather with Palladium hardware. Carry by h...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier Nata Bag Gold Hardware Epsom Leather
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 20 Sellier Mini bag featured in neutral Nata. Crisp Epsom leather with gold hardware. Carry by hand, shoulder or cross body. Divine size for day to ...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly HSS Sellier 20 Mini Bag Craie & Bleu Indigo Epsom Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly HSS 20 Mini Sellier bag featured in coveted Craie and Blue Indigo. A beautiful classic combination. Epsom leather ac...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermès Black Togo 40 cm Kelly with Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Hermès Black Togo 40 cm Kelly is in pristine condition. The protective plastic remains intact on the hardware. Hermès bags are considered the ultimate luxury item w...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Nata 25 Off White Ivory Kelly Epsom Sellier Gold Bag U Stamp, 2022
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Nata 25 Off White Ivory Kelly Epsom Sellier Gold Bag U Stamp, 2022 The most wanted bag of 2022, and the only one you need! Just purchased fr...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Rose Tyrien Pink Epsom Leather Palladium Shoulder Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Absolutely Stunning Like New Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Rose Tyrien Epsom Leather complimented by Palladium Hardware. Plastic on all hardware and feet. Shop with Confidence from Lux A...
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2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Vert Jade VIP Epsom Gold Shoulder Bag
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Chicjoy is pleased to present this Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Vert Jade VIP Epsom Gold Hardware Brand New in Box. Store Fresh. Pristine Condition (with plastic on hardware) Perfect gift...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 20cm Craie Mini Off White Chalk VIP Shoulder Bag VIP Z Stamp, 2021
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Kelly 20cm Craie Mini Off White Chalk VIP Shoulder Bag Z Stamp, 2021 Just purchased from Hermes store; bag bears new 2021 interior Z Stamp. B...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly Pochette Black Gold Hardware Clutch Cut Bag Z Stamp, 2021
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Kelly Pochette Black Gold Hardware Clutch Cut Bag Z Stamp, 2021 Just purchased from Hermes store; bag bears new interior 2021 Z Sta...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

HERMES NEW Kelly 28 Retourne Horseshoe Purple Gray Top Handle Shoulder Bag
By Hermès
Located in Chicago, IL
New Condition From 2021 Collection Horseshoe Gris Asphalte Anemone Togo Leather Gold Tone Hardware Measures 10.75" W x 8.25" H x 4.5" D Shoulder Strap Drop 5" Includes Dust Bag and B...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier Jaune de Naples Verso Bag Chevre Palladium
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier Verso bag featured in fabulous Jaune de Naples. This Hermes Kelly 20 is accentuated with Gold interior. Beautifully saturated Chevre leather with fresh palladium hardware. Comes with signature Hermes box, shoulder strap, and sleeper. Please see our extensive selection of Kelly 20 bags...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 28 Bag Rose Pourpre Sellier Epsom Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly Sellier 28 featured in rich Rose Pourpre. Beautiful and exotic, this epsom leather Hermes Kelly Sellier limited ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

HERMES Kelly 25 Retourne Neon Green Ostrich Exotic Gold Top Handle Shoulder Bag
By Hermès
Located in Chicago, IL
Pre-Owned Vintage Condition From 2008 Collection Ostrich Leather Gold Hardware Leather Lining Includes Clochette, Padlock, Keys, Shoulder Strap, Rain Cover, Dust Bag and Box 100% Aut...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 20cm Rose Lipstick
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
This stunning Hermès Kelly 20cm bag is featured in Rose Lipstick color and made in Chevre Mysore leather. It features single rolled top handle, front fla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly Pochette with Diamonds in Brighton Blue
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Inspired by Hermès' Kelly tote bag, designed with the iconic details of it's big sister and meticulously crafted from a shiny, rich and opulent Brighton Blue Crocodile...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly Danse Bag Tabac Camel Ostrich Gold Hardware
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Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly Danse featured in warm Tabac Camel Ostrich. This fabulous, versatile bag can be worn as a backpack, shoulder, crossbody o...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Backpacks

HERMES Kelly 35 Crocodile Shiny Black Bag
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
MAGNIFICENT Kelly 35 bag from the House of HERMES in shiny black porosus crocodile. The jewelry is gold plated. On each tab, inscription "HERMES Paris". It...
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1940s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Red Lizard 28 cm Kelly Sellier Bag
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Crafted in France from lizard leather, a rare exotic Hermès skin known for its small scales and noticeably glossy finish. this structured, vintage bag fea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 28 Jaune d'Or Evercolor
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
This Hermès Kelly exudes opulence, crafted in a eye-catching shade of Apricot and lined in a complementary toned goatskin and finished with brushed metal palladium hardware. Compact-...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Kelly 32 Clemence Pale Blue Y 2020
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
This 32cm Kelly bag from Hermès is a true testament to the quality of the house's craftsmanship, exuding timeless style and elegance. Crafted from Clemence leather, a favoured Hermès...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Kelly 32 Ostrich saffron
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
This 32cm Kelly Retourne bag from Hermès is a true testament to the quality of the house's craftsmanship, exuding timeless style and elegance. crafted in ostrich skin, the rarest and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 32 Tri-Color Bag Tabac Camel/Ebene/Parchemin Brushed Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
mightychic offers a Limited Edition Hermes Kelly 32 Tri-color vintage bag featured in Tabac Camel, Ebene and Parchemin. This gorgeous and rare special order tri color Kelly...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

HERMES 35cm Barénia Fauvre Straw Kelly Picnic Bag Natural
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
HERMES 35cm Barénia Fauvre Straw Kelly Picnic Bag Natural. The Hermés Kelly bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Kelly 32 Rose Lipstick Pink Togo Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Hermes Kelly 32 Rose Lipstick Pink Togo Palladium Hardware. Excellent Condition, light hairlines on the hardware. Q stamp 2013. Shop with confidence from Lu...
Category

2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Kelly 32 Bag Matte Fauve Barenia Porosus Crocodile Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes 32 Kelly bag featured in coveted matte Fauve Barenia Porosus crocodile. Signature bone top stitch. Lush with Gold hardware. Clean handle, corners and interior. This beauty is sure to become your ultimate go to bag! Comes with strap, sleepers, lock, keys and clochette. As a purveyor of exceptional and unique Hermes luxury goods...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Prune Kelly Cut Clutch
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Step up your after-dark repertoire with an Hermès Kelly Cut clutch in Prune Niloticus skin with palladium hardware. Its elongated silhouette features the iconic details of the Herme...
Category

2010s Clutches

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