Hermès Red Clemence Kelly Backpack
View Similar Items
Hermès Red Clemence Kelly Backpack
About the Item
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.
- Hermès Black Swift Leather Unisex Sling BackpackBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Hermès Black Swift Leather Sling Backpack is in pristine condition. Hermès bags are hand sewn by skilled artisans and represent the epitome of fashion luxury. Smooth black Swift leather sling bag...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Backpacks
- Chanel Gold Graffiti Street Spirit Unisex BackpackBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Gold Graffiti Street Spirit Backpack is in pristine condition. Gold fabric unisex backpack with spray paint effect graffiti design. Zippered front pouch with ...Category
2010s European Backpacks
- Chrome Hearts Black Leather Double Sided Sling BackpackBy Chrome HeartsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chrome Hearts Black Leather Double Sided Sling Backpack is in pristine condition. Black leather, carried horizontally or vertically. PBF 14053Category
2010s Backpacks
- Chanel White Lambskin Urban Spirit Backpack with Silver HardwareBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel White Lambskin Urban Spirit Back is pristine. Snowy white quilted lambskin with colorful trimmings and color blocked rear panel. Flap closure with silver hardw...Category
2010s European Backpacks
- Chanel Black Lambskin Classic Flap BackpackBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black Lambskin Classic Flap Backpack is in very good vintage condition. A cool unisex spin on the timeless classic flap bag, the b...Category
Late 20th Century Backpacks
- Hermès Red Clemence Victoria II BagBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Hermès Red Clemence Victoria II Bag is in excellent plus condition. The relaxed silhouette is roomy and soft to the hand in textured lipsti...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Celine New Red Leather BackpackBy CelineLocated in West Hollywood, CACeline Brand New Red Quilted Leather Backpack, Gold metal hardware. Red fabric lining inside. Comes with generic dust cover and tag.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Backpacks
- Chanel 2015 Paris-Salzburg Mountain Red Shearling Leather Rucksack Backpack BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Paris-Salzburg Mountain Red Shearling Leather Rucksack Backpack Year: 2015 From the Pre-Fall 2015 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld Red Shearling ...Category
2010s Italian Backpacks
- SS17 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Red Leather Backpack Wall Over Embossed LogoBy Jeremy Scott, MoschinoLocated in Palm Springs, CASS17 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Red Leather Backpack Wall Over Embossed Logo Additional Information: Material: Leather Color: Red Pattern: Sol...Category
2010s Italian Backpacks
$796 Sale Price20% Off - AW20 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Oversized Giant Red Backpack W/ Gold LogoBy Jeremy Scott, MoschinoLocated in Palm Springs, CAAW20 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Oversized Giant Red Backpack W/ Gold Logo Additional Information: Material: Textile, Gold-tone Metal Color: Red/Brown/Gold Pattern: Oversized Backpack...Category
2010s Italian Backpacks
$2,396 Sale Price20% Off - new BALENCIAGA DEMNA red logo dual pocket nylon black waist belt crossbody bagBy BalenciagaLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew BALENCIAGA DEMNA red logo dual pocket nylon black waist belt crossbody bag Reference: TGAS/B00183 Brand: Balenciaga Designer: Demna Gvasalia M...Category
2010s Backpacks
- new BALENCIAGA Explorer red nylon logo dual pocket waist belt pack crossbody bagBy BalenciagaLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew BALENCIAGA Explorer red nylon logo dual pocket waist belt pack crossbody bag Reference: TGAS/B01523 Brand: Balenciaga Designer: Demna Gvasalia Model: Explorer belt pack red ...Category
2010s Italian Backpacks
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.