There Maison Hermès, famous for its exceptional leather work, offers a very wide range of luxurious accessories. Among them are undoubtedly two of the most famous bags in the world: the Kelly and the Birkin. Attached to their two names follows the eternal question: which one to choose? The fashion world has decided: both my captain. Yes but why ?
Follow the guide to learn the history of these two cornerstones of the leather goods and learn to distinguish them. We help you become knowledgeable on the question, so that you can provide your own answer. Then proudly display your loved one, which you wear, of course, with a silk scarf around your neck!
Bags named after celebrities
Here's the first thing to know: the Kelly, named after the talented American actress who became Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, is royally refined. THE Birkin, born from a meeting between the manager of Hermès and the artist Jane Birkin, was created to combine elegance and practicality. Quick fashion history lesson.
The Kelly: From Cavaliers to Elegant Parisians
The history of this legendary bag begins at the end of the 19th century: Thierry Hermès, founder of the illustrious house, created the first version of the Kelly in 1892. It is then called the bag “ Strap Top[items] » and it is intended to transport riders' equestrian equipment. At the time, it was wide enough to contain large pieces of equipment. In 1923, it was renamed and revisited for the first time: it became the Torpedo and adopts the trapezoidal shape that we know. In 1930, the House decided to offer a smaller and more feminine version of the bag, to be displayed on women's arms. It underwent a new transformation in 1935: its cut was refined and became more graceful, the leather stiffened and the clasp was decorated with the famous chains. However, it retains its two characteristic straps at the clasp, a legacy of the original version. This bag, resolutely feminine and chic, has been a great success.The meeting with Grace Kelly
The Kelly is called the “ Dispatch Bag » when in 1954 the Hollywood actress Grace Kelly met him. The actress discovers the House thanks to the accessories from the filming of The Hand at the Collar by Alfred Hitchcock. Love at first sight occurs and the legend begins. In 1958, the actress became Princess of Monaco. When she gets off her plane, she tries to hide her pregnancy – which has not yet been publicly announced – using her hermes bag, his favorite accessory. The photo of Grace Kelly carrying her black bag in front of her went around the world and appeared on the cover of many magazines. The benefits for the House are phenomenal: all the women want the princess's bag on their arm.
In honor of the Monegasque princess, Hermès renames the bag: it becomes the legendary "Kelly".
The Birkin: Created for Jane
The legend of Birkin is more modern, but no less magical. The story goes that the English artist met the president of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, during a plane trip from Paris to London in 1981. Jane Birkin, a young mother, laments not being able to find a bag which is both elegant and practical. Dumas challenges her to design the bag that suits her perfectly, promising to design it for her. On the plane, she begins to design the bag that will become the glorious Birkin: created for her muse, it bears her name as a tribute and is released publicly in 1984.
This is the first time that a bag bearing the name of a celebrity has been created by her and specifically for her. THE Birkin is to date the most famous luxury bag and the most difficult to obtain.
How to tell them apart?
The history of each of the two bags is reflected in their personalities.
The Kelly, created for elegant Parisian women of the early 20th century and named after a princess, is very formula. It has a single handle at the top. It is closed on the front by two straps and a padlock. The position of its handle prevents it from being worn open. Its base is rectangular, adorned with four nails. It has a shoulder strap that allows you to carry it hands-free.
The Birkin on the other hand has two handles and an opening at the top of the bag, which makes it easy to wear open. It also has a strap at the front, which can however remain open. It has a trapezoidal shape similar to the Kelly, with a rectangular base, but it is more flexible and adapts better to women's daily lives.
If both are the pinnacle of elegance and chic, the Kelly has a more formal appearance and the Birkin is more practical for everyday use.
Two prestigious models, difficult to obtain
Both made with most precious materials, they benefit from a unique know-how. To obtain a Kelly new, you have to count three to four years of waiting. Its manufacture, by a single craftsman, requires 20 hours of manual work carried out with great care. It is available in 6 sizes and comes with two wallet sizes: the Kelly Pochette and the Kelly Cut. For the Birkin, it is not less than 6 years that you have to wait on the waiting list! Also made by hand, it requires approximately 48 hours of work and is available in 5 sizes.
These models are the most prestigious in the world, their price continues to increase, as the years of waiting to obtain them accumulate... The price of a Kelly has been multiplied by 3.5 in 10|Icon|11|Icon years, and the Birkin – due to some of its versions – is the most expensive bag in the world. Together, they represent more than a third of Hermès’ sales.
