Hermès Bag
Long regarded as symbols of status and style, Hermès bags have become a cultural reference point for elegance and luxurious aesthetics, highly coveted by fashion enthusiasts and collectors alike. Renowned for their impeccable quality and unparalleled craftsmanship, Hermès bags are an iconic statement piece that exude sophistication. Meticulously crafted by skilled artisans using only the finest materials, each bag is a study in sartorial art. From the iconic Hermès Birkin bag to the sleek and practical Constance, these designer accessories are a fashion essential for anyone who appreciates the finer things.
The History of Hermès
Established in 1837 by Thierry Hermes, this illustrious brand began its journey as a modest harness workshop in Paris, catering to the elite European nobility involved in the carriage trade. However, it was not until the early 1920s that the company made its foray into leather handbags, introducing the Haut à Courroies, which would later become a celebrated classic.
The brand's notoriety surged in the 1930s with the launch of the Sac à dépêches, later christened the Kelly bag in honour of the Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Hermès has since crafted numerous iconic handbags, each with its own narrative and design, including the revered Birkin bag, which made its debut in 1984 and swiftly became one of the brand's most sought-after creations.
In 2020, the Birkin bag's legacy reached new heights of prominence at a Christie's auction, setting a new record for the most expensive bag ever sold at the time. The matte white Himalayan Crocodile Birkin 25 bag was the one to shatter the record, selling for an astonishing A$570,770 or US$388,738.
From the brand's signature collections to their bespoke offerings that bear the coveted horseshoe stamp, Hermès continues to deck numerous people around the world in opulent and iconic fashion.
Iconic Styles: Birkin, Kelly, Constance
The Birkin Bag: A True Fashion Icon
A serendipitous origin story emerged when Jean-Louis Dumas, the artistic director of Hermès at the time, found himself seated beside the British actress and singer Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London in 1984. It was during this encounter that the idea for the iconic bag first took shape. Birkin explained to Dumas that she could not find a leather weekend bag to her liking, to which Dumas responded by creating a handbag just for her. The result was the Birkin bag—a spacious tote made of soft leather with a signature flap closure and double handles. Today, the Birkin remains one of the most coveted and expensive handbags in the world, even being purported to have a waiting list of up to six years in some instances.
The Kelly Bag: Grace Kelly’s Favorite
The Sac à dépêches was the original name of the bag when it was introduced in the 1930s. However, it wasn't until 1956, when Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, was photographed carrying one, that it became known as the Kelly bag. The Hermès Kelly features a trapezoid shape, a single top handle, and a signature turn-lock closure. Like the Birkin, the Kelly bag is highly sought-after.
The Constance Bag: A Versatile and Chic Option
Named after the daughter of the bag’s in-house designer Catherine Chaillet, The Constance features a sleek, minimalist design with a double H buckle closure and a shoulder strap that can be worn long or doubled up for a shorter length. This bag offers enviable versatility that can be dressed up or down, making it a popular choice among fashionistas since its release in 1959.
Quality Craftsmanship and Materials
Forever championing the highest standards of quality, Hermès bags are assembled from the finest leathers—crocodile, cows, goats, and ostrich, to name a few—all carefully selected and tanned using traditional methods to create a soft, supple texture that lends to longevity. Gold and palladium hardware, too, add a stunning flourish to many of the brand’s signature collections.
Every Hermes bag is handcrafted by skilled in-house artisans. Forever maintaining the highest standards of quality, the brand insists that the majority of their luxury items are made entirely by a single individual, intended to ensure the excellence and distinctiveness of their merchandise.
Buy Hermès Bags with EMIER
Browse authentic Hermès second hand bags with EMIER, Australia’s trusted platform for pre-loved luxury handbags, watches, earrings, and other fine jewellery. View our stunning collection of pre-owned Hermès Birkin, Hermès Kelly, Hermès Constance, Hermès Picotin bags and more. Style yourself in elegance with the best items from this world renowned fashion house.
Shop with confidence knowing that all of our handbags are white-glove inspected through a multi-touch review process to ensure that you always receive the highest quality designer bags. Find your next luxury bag online or by visiting an EMIER second hand Hermès Melbourne store.
