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...
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 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 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
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
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
Genuine HERMES Heure H Orange HH1.210.830 Quartz Watch.
By Hermès
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is an authentic HERMES Stainless Steel 21mm by 30mm Rectangle Huere Watch. Hermes Orange Dial ref. HH1.210.830/4804 Condition: NEW battery installed. Comes with original Bo...
Stainless Steel
Hermes Nomade Mens 37mm Uncommon Auto-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 1stD...
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
Hermes Heure H 18k Rose Gold Mini Ladies Watch W053094WW00
By Hermès
Located in Dallas, TX
Hermes Heure H 18k Rose Gold Mini Ladies Watch W053094WW00 - Quartz. 18K rose gold with "Feather" setting, 84 diamonds (0.176 ct) ( 21 x 17 mm ). White Mother of Pearl with black...
Cartier Solo Ronde Midsize 36mm Stainless Steel Quartz Watch W6700255
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Solo Ronde Midsize 36mm Stainless Steel Quartz Watch W6700255 - Quartz. Solo Ronde. Stainless steel case (36mm diameter). Silver dial with black Roman numerals. Black Cartier...
Cartier Santos Galbee Midsize Steel Quartz Watch W20060D6 1564
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Santos Galbee Midsize Steel Quartz Watch W20060D6 1564 - Quartz. Santos Galbee. Stainless steel case (28mm x 40mm). Ivory dial with silver Roman numerals; date at 6 o'clock. ...
Cartier Ladies Stainless Steel Panthere Watch WSPN0006 4177
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Ladies Stainless Steel Panthere Watch WSPN0006 4177 - Quartz. Panther or Panthere. Stainless steel case (23mm x 30mm). silver colored dial with black Roman numerals. Stainles...
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920) - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k white gold case with diamond bezel (25mm x 30mm). Grey dial with diamond hour markers and...
Cartier Ladies Stainless Steel Panthere Watch WSPN0006 4177
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Ladies Stainless Steel Panthere Watch WSPN0006 4177 - Quartz. Panther or Panthere. Stainless steel case (23mm x 30mm). silver colored dial with black Roman numerals. Stainles...
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.
