Iconic Hermes Namesakes, The History Behind Kelly and Birkin Bags

March 28, 2021

Hello there! Welcome 🙂

Today we are sharing a bit about the namesakes’ of Hermes iconic bags.

Hermes is the type of brand where just the name exudes luxury. It is not only a fashion accessory but the ultimate status symbol. Of course, the most iconic piece from Hermes will undoubtedly be their Hermes Kelly and Hermes Birkin.

‘The Princess’

In the 1930s, Robert Dumas, son-in-law of Émile Hermès, created the iconic Hermes Kelly. However, the origins of this bag have run further back over 30 years.

The first prototype was originally introduced in 1892 as a saddle holder and was formerly known as Haut à courroies. Then in 1923, Émile Hermès and Ettore Bugatti (founder of Bugatti Automobiles) designed the bag for Hermès’s wife Julie. The design was made simple and conventional that not only allowed riders to carry their saddles but also fit them through car doors.

Only later in the 1930s, Robert Dumas re-designed the Haut à courroies into a spacious travel bag which he called the Sac à dépêches or also know as Hermes Kelly.

The Sac à Dépêches made its name after Grace Kelly was photographed using it to shield her pregnant belly, after having first been introduced to the bag on the set of Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. After much popularity, the brand decided to rename the bag after the princess in 1956.

Birkin Barf Bag Origins

Created in 1984, the muse behind the Birkin is none other than the Paris-based British actress Jane Birkin. It all began when Jane Birkin met Jean-Louis Dumas, son of Robert Dumas.

On a flight from Paris to London in the early 1980s Jane, who had been sitting next to Dumas; was carrying a straw bag that couldn’t hold onto her belongings properly, and everything came down crashing onto her. Jane began to rant about how nicer bags were never big enough to carry belongings. Dumas, motivated by Jane’s and probably many other women’s struggles, created a new and convenient design.

The Hermes Birkin began with a sketch Dumas drew on an airplane’s barf bag and has now evolved into the world’s most recognizable bag in the world.

However, despite the namesake, Birkin receives no money for lending her name. Although Hermès does give a lump sum each year as a form of royalty for Jane that she then donates to charities of her choice.

Sell at Jewel Cafe

If you have any collections of your luxury branded items that are outdated, worn out or are left unused and you would like to sell for CASH, don’t hesitate to bring it to Jewel Cafe for free estimation!

Please bring along any card, receipt, box, or any additional accessories to get a better value from us for your pre-loved bags.

Just like these Hermes bags that was sold to us from our beloved customers: