The Hermès Kelly bag is one of the most prominent luxury bags on the market. It’s functional and wearable and boasts a plethora of collections and finishes, with something for every kind of buyer.
Beyond that though, it’s the story of the Hermès Kelly that has really catapulted it into the hearts and onto the must-have lists of buyers all over the word. First released under a very different name, the Hermès Kelly hasn’t just become more popular thanks to celebrity endorsement – rather, it was the endorsement of one specific celebrity that reimagined the bag for the modern market.
Settle back as we dive into the story of the Hermès Kelly, how it picked up its name, and how celebrities through the ages have transformed its fortunes.
How the Hermès Kelly Earned Its Name
To track the history of the Hermès Kelly and its rise to become the original example of understated, elegant wealth, we need to whizz back to 1935, and the release of a bag called the Sac a Depeche. Everything about this bag was created with innovation at its core, leaning on the earliest iterations of the brand’s equestrian roots, but with a more compact structure designed for everyday use.
A single strap and the trapezoid shape of the Sac a Depeche represented a different direction for Hermès in terms of its bags, with this design often recognised as being the first step towards modern handbags.
But it wasn’t until 1956 that the Sac a Depeche was pictured on the arm of one of the most famous and recognisable women in the world – and it would take a further 21 years for the bag to be renamed in line with the stark rise in popularity and demand that resulted from those images.
Grace Kelly, then actress and Princess of Monaco, used the size and convenience of the Sac a Depeche bag to hide a growing baby bump. When this image circulated throughout the media, not only did the world see Grace Kelly but they also saw – and fell in love with – the bag on her arm.
And so began the role of celebrity endorsements in securing and supporting the growth of the Sac a Depeche – ultimately the Kelly – bag.
Hallmarks of the Hermès Kelly Bag Collection
One of the most notable things about the Hermès Kelly bag is not a specific visual feature but rather the amount of craftsmanship that goes into bringing each and every bag to life.
Ever since its earliest iterations and designs, the Kelly bag has demanded upwards of 18 to 25 hours in the workshop per bag. And that’s before you consider the work that goes on behind the scenes to constantly innovate the bag and come up with new designs and finishes for every season – starting way back in the 1970s and continuing to this day.
With that in mind then, what exactly are the hallmarks of a bag that has remained such a staple for bag lovers everywhere?
The Kelly is recognisable for its trapezoid shape, which means that the base is wider than the opening of the bag. A flap holds the bag closed, while the single strap allows it to be worn on the arm or held in the wearer’s hand.
The development of the bag over time has seen the Kelly take on different styles – most notably the Sellier and Retourne models, which offer different structures and use different materials. While the Sellier is considered the classic Kelly with its angular edges and refined finish, the Retourne Kelly is a more relaxed version, which has become increasingly popular with the rise of casual and laid-back luxury. Both the Sellier and Retourne bags are available in a selection of sizes, starting with the Mini Kelly and ranging right up to the Kelly 50.
The versatility that’s evident across both Kelly styles, and the brand’s use of countless materials and colours, means that buyers have a choice when seeking out their perfect Kelly bag. But which celebrity fashionistas will you be emanating if you decide to invest in your own Hermès Kelly?
Celebrity Fans of the Hermès Kelly
The first celebrity fan of the Hermès Kelly was undoubtedly Grace Kelly – with her endorsement granting the Kelly bag the position in the market that it still enjoys today.
Since then, though, the Kelly bag has continued to win favour with celebrities across all markets, industries, and demographics.
Some notable names that we can’t ignore are Victoria Beckham and the Olsen twins, who have all been pictured countless times with a Kelly bag on their arm. Earlier on in this article, we hinted at the quiet luxury of the Kelly bag and its simple elegance that makes it an understated example of refined style and high-level wealth – and it’s this definition that speaks to fans of Sofia Richie, who also boasts a wide collection of Hermès Kelly bags.
Jennifer Lopez is another name worth mentioning, given her plethora of luxury bags, and we can’t forget the Kardashian family who, between them, own some of the finest collections of Hermès Kelly and other bag styles in the world.
Suffice to say, Hermès and the Kelly bag are both staple names in the world of celebrity and A-list style. All that’s left to consider is the impact that this really has on the brand.
How Endorsement Supports the Popularity of the Hermès Kelly
You only have to look at the way products sell out after being pictured with and worn by celebrities, to understand the role of endorsement in building a successful brand.
Hermès combines its exceptional level of endorsements with the continued role of limited supply, quality craftsmanship, and the value that renders every authentic Hermès bag a good investment.
If you’re looking for your own piece of luxury and want to own a bag that’s built on a foundation of history and quality, you can’t go wrong with a beautifully crafted Kelly bag.
