- Founded
- 1837
- Based in
- Paris, France
- Known for
- Birkin, Kelly
The house
About Hermès
Hermès began in 1837 as a harness workshop in Paris, and the saddler's discipline is still visible in every bag: hand-stitched seams, edges painted and burnished by hand, and hardware made to be repaired rather than replaced. Its two best-known bags, the Birkin and the Kelly, are among the most recognised handbags in the world.
For a collector the details decide a piece: the leather (Togo, Epsom, Clemence, Box and others each wear differently), the hardware finish, the size, the colour, and whether it comes with its full set. Condition is graded honestly on every listing, flaws included.
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Hermès Pieces
Signature models
Known For
Birkin
Introduced in 1984, named after the actress and singer Jane Birkin. A structured top-handle bag with a flap closed by two straps and a padlock.
Kelly
Named after Grace Kelly in the 1950s. A single top handle, a flap with a turn-lock, and an optional shoulder strap.
Carré 90
The 90 cm silk twill scarf. The first Hermès silk scarf dates from 1937.
Buying guide
What To Look At
General points worth checking on any Hermès piece. Each listing adds the specifics: condition grade, what is included and any flaws.
01
The size is the number in the name: a Birkin 30 or Kelly 28 measures about that many centimetres across the base.
02
On a Kelly, Sellier means a rigid, structured construction with the stitching visible on the outside; Retourne means a softer, rounded construction stitched inside out.
03
Hermès marks the year of manufacture with a blind stamp: a letter, sometimes enclosed in a shape. It should be consistent with the leather, hardware and style of the model.
04
A full set usually means the box, dust bag, and, for the bags that have them, the lock, keys and clochette.
Questions
Hermès Answered
What is the difference between a Birkin and a Kelly?
Both are structured top-handle bags. The Birkin has two handles and a flap held by two straps and a padlock, and is generally roomier. The Kelly has a single top handle, a flap closed by a turn-lock, and can be carried on a detachable shoulder strap.
What do Sellier and Retourne mean on a Kelly?
They describe how the bag is built. Sellier is a rigid, structured construction with visible external stitching. Retourne is a softer, more rounded construction that is stitched inside out and then turned.
What does the number in 'Birkin 30' or 'Kelly 28' mean?
It is the size of the bag in centimetres, measured across the base. A 25 is small and compact, a 30 is the classic everyday size, and a 35 or 40 is a larger travel or work size.
How does Luxury Club authenticate Hermès pieces?
Every piece is physically inspected by our specialists before it is listed: construction, hardware, materials and markings are checked against what is expected of the maker and the era. Nothing is approved from photographs alone, and every sale includes a Certificate of Authenticity documenting what was verified on that specific piece.
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