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sacs à main Birkin et Kelly Hermès
Saga

Hermès: the history of the House behind the most famous handbag in the world

23/06/2021

Hermès is a bit of luxury within luxury. The Parisian House at the origin of sac Birkin has in fact always assumed its very high-end style, including periods when major brands opened up to the world of ready-to-wear and created more casual fashion accessories. This “out of reach” side does not displease us: we always love more what we cannot have easily! And let's say it frankly: apart from With a rifle, handbags iconic Birkin and Kelly from Hermès are almost inaccessible! Spotlight on the success story of Hermès, from its beginnings to its unbeatable status in the current fashion landscape.

 

A House that plays in the big leagues

This is certainly what differentiates Hermes from most other renowned designers: the House has almost always played in the big leagues! Opened by Thierry Hermès in 1837, the Parisian boutique initially sold all kinds of equipment for riders: this positioning therefore placed the brand in a rather upscale sphere from the start. The Universal Exhibition of 1867 and the first class medal only confirmed this privileged status. From there, the greats of this world – precursors of Hollywood stars sporting a Hermes handbag ! – regularly use the services of French manufacturing: from European kings to Tsar Nicholas II, the Hermès House rubs shoulders with the global elite!

As in many beautiful sagas, the success ofHermes is a family story. It is the various heirs of Thierry Hermès who will put the pieces of the puzzle together and create the great House that we know today, among the most renowned luxury leather goods manufacturers in the world. First with Charles-Émile, who moved Hermes at the famous 24, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. Then with Adolphe and Émile-Maurice, who were the first to launch a range of luggage bags: the famous top with straps was initially used to carry a saddle, but it then evolved into a travel accessory. leather goods more versatile when the automobile began to replace horses on the roads.

From then on, the House Hermes is opening up to the world of fashion: jewelry, watches, gloves and especially handbags are gradually complementing the collections. The latter also have the first zippers on the French market. The 1930s marked the real turning point for Hermès fashion accessories: it was during this decade that the famous silk scarf was born (a model of which is sold worldwide every 20 seconds!) as well as the women's bag that will become the Kelly d'Hermes.
Subsequently, big names will come to join the family Hermes and participate even more in the internationalization of the House. From Lola Prusac to Jean Paul Gaultier without forgetting Martin Margiela, they share their creations full of character with the whole world.

Two emblematic bags inseparable from the House


Impossible to talk about the House Hermes without mentioning the Kelly bag and the Birkin bag. The first, launched by Hermes in the 1930s, became one of the first it-bags in history thanks to Grace Kelly. It was Alfred Hitchcock who was responsible for her falling in love with this bag: in 1954 he advised the costume designer of La Main au collet to choose accessories in a boutique. Hermes. The future princess adopted the handbag and wore it 2 years later in legendary photos to hide her first pregnant curves. The whole world flocks to the Maison's boutiques to ask for the " Kelly d’Hermès » !

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As to sac Birkin, it sees the light of day in a period of renewal for Hermes, which will see designers as talented as Martin Margiela and Jean-Paul Gaultier succeed one another at the head of women's ready-to-wear. Jane Birkin meets Jean-Louis Dumas, heir Hermes and president of the group, during a plane trip in 1981. She spoke with him about the difficulty of finding a handbag that was both practical and elegant, suitable for mothers. Hermès Birkin, created from these considerations, has an incredible destiny. Amazing stories about how some managed to get their hands on it with the presence of the first bag Birkin in exhibitions at the MoMA in New York, everything surrounding the bag Hermes confirms its unique aura. A line heard in Sex & the City sums up its success well: “It’s not a bag, it’s a Birkin. »

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You understand: you no longer need to have a pony to buy one. hermes bag ! But you might still have to gallop to get a Birkin. On Vintega, you will find a varied selection of second-hand Birkin and Kelly bags. For all those who like to get off the beaten track, we also offer Constance, Evelyne or Bolide shoulder bag models fromHermes !

 

An elitist House but anchored in its time


The House Hermes is undoubtedly a mature and high-end brand. Less influenced by the eccentricity that was able to revitalize certain other major Houses in the 90s, it has retained a fairly elitist line of conduct, with leather goods accessories and timeless handbags. Almost more in the art of living than in the fashion world, Hermès has nevertheless managed to find its own style, halfway between its bourgeois DNA and more avant-garde codes. The best example of this harmony between eras? The flamboyant orange of Hermès, a bold color that has been found since the 1950s on the boxes that contain luxury, square bags Hermes during the purchase !

 

Particularly rooted in its time, the House launched in 2010 the “petit h” workshop, which creates pieces and handbags with scraps of fabric or materials not used when making accessories Hermes. From jewelry to decorative objects, this sustainable initiative helps avoid throwing away leather inserts and gives them a second life as chic as the first!


The second life, that knows us at Vintega! Meeting on our online store to find the vintage handbag of your dreams.

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