HERMES midnight blue wool BELL SLEEVE TIE NECK Dress 36 XS
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- Reference Number:
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: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- ERDEM black white MARGARETTA POLKA DOT MIDI Shift Dress 12 MBy ErdemLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Erdem 'Margaretta' midi dress in black and white cotton (63%) and polyester (37%). Features ruffled details on the shoulders and short sleeves. Has a slit on the back....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
- CELINE black & grey viscose CHECK HIGH NECK LONG SLEEVE KNIT Dress XSBy CelineLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Céline high neck knit dress in black and charcoal viscose (73%), polyamide (22%), polyester (3%) and elastane (2%). Features long sleeves and a check print. Unlined. H...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- GIVENCHY black cotton CHAIN BELTED OVERSIZED SHIRT Dress 36 XSBy GivenchyLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Givenchy shirt dress in black cotton (100%). Features a chain-link detailed belt with a gold-tone hardware and a stand up collar. H...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- SACAI blue silk 2014 FLORAL PLEATED APRON Dress 3 SBy SacaiLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Sacai sleeveless dress in midnight blue, light blue and green silk (100%). Spring/summer 2014. Features ribbed sleeves and a satin hemline and the top front can be tuc...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- JITROIS black LEATHER ZIP FRONT SLEEVELESS Dress 38 SBy Jean-Claude JitroisLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Jitrois sleeveless dress in black lambskin (100%). Features a classic collar and opens with a full length front zipper. Lined in black cotton (97%) and spandex (3%). H...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- HERVE LEGER black LACE UP FLARED BANDAGE Dress XXSBy Herve LégerLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Herve Leger flared dress in black rayon (90%), nylon (9%) and spandex (1%). Features cut out details at the sides and the neck. Opens with a zipper and a hook at the b...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- Chanel navy cashmere dress FR 36 18CBy ChanelLocated in Rubiera, REChanel Cruise 2018 Ancient Greece Blue navy cashmere dress/cardigan, open on the front, logo buttons and belt, sleeve 3/4 100% cashmere knitwear S...Category
2010s British Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace 1997 Couture fall black leather gownBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHGianni Versace was an influential Italian fashion designer who founded the Versace brand. In the fall of 1997, he presented his couture collection in Paris, which was widely acclaimed for its opulent fabrics, bold prints, and intricate detailing. The collection featured several notable pieces, such as a black evening gown with a plunging neckline and a gold-encrusted jacket. However, just a few days later, on July 15th, 1997, Gianni was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach home. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the world of fashion continue to be celebrated, and his legacy remains an inspiration too many. This collection is iconic as it’s the final collection before his passing. The collection very much showed a new direction for the house. Which was heading away from the bombshell curves and souped-up sex appeal that the house previously focussed on. But took more Inspirations to the new wave John Galliano and Mcqueen were leading. MET Gala: Salma Hayek y sus mejores momentos en la alfombra roja Vogue For the 1997 Met Gala Salma Hayek wore a very similar Gianni Versace look...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990's Moschino Cheap & Chic "Not Just A Pretty Dress" Velvet Studded DressBy Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Concord, NCMoschino Cheap and Chic 1990's black velvet form fitting dress with a whimsical quote studded on the front stating "Not Just A Pretty Dre...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Antonio Berardi FW-2004 Silk Sleeveless Print DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Brussels, BEDespite being born in the UK, Antonio Berardi’s roots are Sicilian ones, explaining his love of drama and femininity. This gorgeous silk dress, which mixes a variety of prints and mo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Comme Des Garcons bias cut satin jersey dress, ss 1986By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Melbourne, AUThis Comme Des Garcons satin jersey dress from the Fall-Winter 1986 Bias Cutting collection is a great example of the brand’s innovative approach to fashion design. Renowned for thei...Category
1980s Japanese Day Dresses
- A rare vintage 1970’s Roberta Di Camerino printed cotton jersey day dressBy Roberta Di CamerinoLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUThis rare and collectible vintage 1970’s Roberta DI Camerino calf length day dress in black with cobalt blue undulating all over print in cotton jersey fabric is a super stylish addi...Category
1970s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
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.