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.
HERMES CAPE COD Mens Automatic Watch - Stainless Steel
By Hermès
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Hermes Cape Cod Steel Watch Etoupe Calfskin Band
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Hermès Cape Cod watch with opaline silvered dial and Etoupe calfskin strap. This iconic Hermès timepiece reflects the house’s signature balance of design and her...
Hermes Heure H Ronde Ladies Quartz Watch - Stainless Steel
By Hermès
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. HERMES HEURE H RONDE Ladies Quartz Watch - Stainless Steel Mint Condition - Approx. $4,000 Retail Value - 1 Year Warranty Today's offering showcases this Certified Pre-Owned Hermès Heure Ronde ladies watch in stainless steel. It has a lovely look. The Hermes H watches are patterned after the letter starting the company's name. It has a beautiful clean and modern vibe, and it's "H" shaped case is immediately recognizable as an Hermes. It offers an opportunity to wear a Hermes for a fraction of the price of the Birkin. It is all original Hermès even down to the band and buckle. The watch itself presents in gorgeous condition - a 9.8 or 9.9 out of 10. A new strap would make it gift quality. Its case presents as mint. Its dial and sapphire crystal are like new. A Master Watchmaker has installed a new battery and performed any needed servicing. For the finishing touch, we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Accompanying it is its original cream colored Hermès band that shows signs of previous wear but is in serviceable condition. A new strap would make the watch like new...
Stainless Steel
Antique HERMES Tank watch. Art Deco Genuine Hermes Manual wristwatch.
By Hermès
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is an authentic antique HERMES Stainless Steel watch. Extremely Rare. Manual Windup Movement. Beautiful Engraved case. Condition: Winds up and keeps time. Condition consist...
Stainless Steel
Hermes Passe Passe Ladies Quartz Watch with Mother of Pearl Dial - SS
By Hermès
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. HERMES PASSE PASSE Ladies Quartz Watch with Mother of Pearl...
Stainless Steel
Genuine HERMES PULLMAN Stainless Steel 25mm Round Clipper Quartz Watch silver
By Hermès
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is an authentic HERMES Stainless Steel 24mm Round Pullman Clipper Quartz round Dial. The watch is crafted of stainless steel and features a champagne dial, gold hands and hour m...
Stainless Steel
Hermes Arceau Anniversary Limited Edition 18k White Gold Watch
By Hermès
Located in Feasterville, PA
A remarkable Hermes Arceau Skeleton Watch, crafted in a limited edition of 171 pieces, showcasing the timeless elegance of Hermes. Designed in 18k white gold, this watch features a s...
White Gold
Hermès Clipper Stainless Steel Watch with Barenia Leather Strap – Roman Dial
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless and impeccably crafted, this Hermès wristwatch blends the house’s equestrian heritage with sleek, modern lines. The brushed stainless steel case features bold architectural ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Genuine HERMES Heure H 1P Diamond HH1.102 Quartz Watch Gold.
By Hermès
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is an authentic HERMES Stainless Steel Gold Plated 20mm by 25mm Rectangle Huere H 1P diamond Watch. MOP Dial with 1P diamond at 12 PM Condition: NEW battery installed. Some s...
Stainless Steel
Hermes Stainless Steel H Mini Double Tour 20mm
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: quartz Material: stainless steel Functions: hours, minutes Case: 20mm stainless steel “H” case Bracelet: electric blue leather wrap-around strap, tang buckle Dial: white Ar...
Stainless Steel
What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.
Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.
