Hermes 101: Everything You Need To Know About Your Favourite Handbag Designer

Hermès is famous all over the world and millions of fashionistas hunt each season for limited Hermès accessories. It's not surprising that many brand followers decide to invest exactly in this brand, choosing it among a large number of other luxury options.

Check out why Hermès became so popular, how it differs from others, and what you need to know if you want to buy your first Hermès bag.

A Quick History of the World’s Oldest Luxury brand

Hermès is a historical fashion house that is deeply connected with the rich traditions of luxury, style, and beauty. The history of the Maison Hermès started in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès. It was initially a saddler company manufacturing leather goods and saddles. Almost 60 years later Adolphe and Emile-Maurice Hermès started to operate the business and introduced it to the fashion industry. That is how Hermès started to gain its first international popularity.

Regarding the iconic logo, it was created in the early 1950s based on the drawing of the French painter Alfred de Dreux. Like this, a duc-carriage-with-a-horse became popular all over the world. 

It is important to mention that being a family business, multiple generations have been working on the brand, putting all possible and impossible efforts into it. Such attention and care about family business helped the brand survive over the years, transforming from generation to generation, and following the same high-quality standards regarding every single detail of every single product.

Learn more fund facts and stats about Hermes in our thorough report.

What Is Hermès Best Known For?

Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès specializes in manufacturing a large number of items:

• lifestyle accessories
• home furnishing
• perfume and jewelry
• ready-to-wear
• watches

Hermès is largely known for its luxury handmade luggage and handbags, and these accessories are always in trend. It is not a secret that Hermès is loved by so many people because of its unique materials, fantastic approach to craftsmanship, and exclusive vision of their own production.

Hermes is known for manufacturing preposterously priced handbags. The two of their most popular handbags are Hermes Birkin and Hermes Kelly. We'll get back to Hermes pricing later.

What Makes Hermès Unique?

First of all, the brand with a 177-year history is already a unique story and when buying something made by Hermès, you can be absolutely sure that you touch the real history and invest your money in the worldwide known brand. It is worth saying that there are more than 315 exclusive boutiques and stores around the globe.

Hermès Craftsmanship

The Hermes Craftsmanship is known for real exclusivity. One small item might require 18 to 24 hours to be produced. Customers can wait up to six months for the bag delivery.

Hermès Details

Focusing on exquisite details, Hermès designers strive to make every single item unique with a certain history and character. Once the item is completed, it is controlled thoroughly to meet all the quality standards.

Hermès Materials

Thanks to its high-quality materials, which are a part of the brand concept, Hermes takes care of all the production processes. They apply a product-centric strategy, which guarantees the quality of all products. In bag production, Hermès uses top materials like alligator skin, togo, and ostrich.

Hermès Philosophy

The CEO of Hermes Patric Thomas (2003 to 2014) underlined one interesting thing regarding the brand's philosophy, pointing to the existing paradox. The more desirable the brand is, the more people buy it. However, the more people can buy it, the less desirable it becomes. So basically, Hermès tries to balance on this issue.

Who Are the Main Competitors of Hermès?

Speaking of luxury brands, it is important to mention that each brand has its specific features. Usually customers prefer brands based on their personal specific preferences and tastes. Generally speaking, these brands can be put in line with Hermes:

• Louis Vuitton
• Gucci
• Celine
• Chanel
• Prada

It is difficult to say which luxury brand should be considered, as each has a number of peculiarities to focus on and to follow. Regarding Hermès, it is the history and the family-formed attention to quality and unique craftsmanship which makes the brand different from others. Referring to craftsmanship, it is worth saying that nearly all of the brand's items are made in small workshops – Atelier Hermès.

Is Hermès the Most Expensive Brand?

Today Hermès has a very special position in the luxury world due to its philosophy, aesthetics, and values. The average price for a Hermès bag varies from $3,000 to $12,000 while, for example, a Chanel bag costs around $4,500 and the price for Louis Vuitton items is about $1,500, making it the most affordable of the three.

The Most Popular Hermès Handbags of All Times

Hermès is most of all famous for its iconic bags. It is worth mentioning, that each handbag is unique because the DNA of Hermès is one artisan - one bag. This idea makes each bag ultra-exclusive and rare.

The most famous bags are Kelly and Birkin, named after America actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly and English actress and singer Jane Birkin. Each bag is made exclusively and for that reason it is worth waiting from 6 to 12 months while your exclusive piece of art is being manufactured. Of course, this exclusiveness costs a lot of money, better to say, a small fortune. But it is worth it. Moreover, these models are a statement of class, wealth, and good taste.

The Hermès Kelly bag

Earlier known as Sac à dépêches, this pretty luxury bag is desired by women all over the world. This is not surprising, as this small item can boast a really impressive history. Back in the 1920s, Émile-Maurice Hermès and Ettore Bugatti created a bag for Julie, Hermès' wife, because she wasn’t satisfied with existing bags. Later this bag was redesigned and turned into a perfect travel bag, as it was spacious enough and yet very comfortable.

It got its legendary name after famous actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly. She appeared pregnant in public covering herself with this bag. She said that she was totally in love with this bag since the times of her acting. The photos of the pregnant queen appeared in all tabloids and soon this bag became associated with her and got the name Kelly.

Today the iconic model has undergone several changes, but these changes mark a certain historical period and make each Hermès Kelly an even more desirable bag for Hermes collectors. The older the Kelly, the higher its price. That is why many collectors consider this model a great investment.

If you want to get a closer look of this amazing bag, check out our video review!

Hermès Birkin

Another famous bag is Birkin bag, or simply Birkin. It was introduced in the 1980s and it also has a pretty charming story.

As the story goes, once actress Jane Birkin was on the same plane with Jean-Louis Dumas. She complained to Jean-Louis that she was suffering because of her travel bag, as it was totally insufficient. This talk inspired Hermès designer so much, that upon arrival he created the next iconic piece.

As pretty as Kelly, Birkin became the symbol of style, elegance, and class. The price for this bag starts from $ 8,000 and you have to wait up to a year to get the desired beauty. Real collectors hunt for these bags on the auctions where the price can reach up to $ 200,000. 

If you are thinking of buying a pre-loved Birkin, here is how to spot a fake Hermes Birkin. 

Hermès Bag Line

If you want to have a bigger list of hard-to-get Hermès models, check it out down below:

• Hermès Kelly Cut Bag
• Hermès Herbag Zip Bag
• Hermès Kelly Danse Bag
• Hermès Kelly Pochette Bag
• Hermès Egee Clutch
• Hermès Constance Bag

The average price is about $ 7,000 – $ 20,000, depending on the model, year, and uniqueness of details and materials. The color matters, too.

Interested in Hermès rare pieces? Check our article on Hermes bringing back the Kelly Danse II bag and why you need it or our detailed video review of Hermès Kelly Danse Bag!

If you already have a gorgeous Hermes bag and want to understand when it was manufactured, here is our complete guide to Hermes blind stamp (with year chart). 

Do Hermès Bags Ever Go On Sale?

Hermès makes a sale twice a year in authorized stores, however, the classics including Birkin and Kelly never go on sale. You can check the official Hermès website for updates and follow their news.

Would like to know how you can get an authentic designer purse cheaper? Check our article on luxury designer outlets in the USA. 

How Much Is The Cheapest Hermès Purse?

From year to year, the price varies, and it is worth mentioning one very interesting model, Hermès Herbag Zip Bag. It was released in 2009 and became popular in the fashion world for its relatively low price and yet high standards of quality of the fashion house. It is made from leather and canvas with the elements of Kelly design, the price for this exclusive piece starts from $ 1,900.

How Much Is The Most Expensive Hermes Bag?

Together with Louis Vuitton and Chanel, numerous luxury Hermes models can be found on auctions and in special boutiques.

The most expensive bag ever sold is the matte white Diamond Himalaya Niloticus Birkin bag made of  crocodile skin with white gold and diamond hardware featuring more than 240 precious stones. Its official cost was $380,000. Check out the list of most expensive designer bags ever sold worldwide here.

Among the Hermès fans are Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian. Probably, having a brand-new Hermès masterpiece in your collection will not make you a new celebrity, but you will definitely feel like a queen. A queen, possessing a real top-quality treasure.

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