Everything You Need to Know About the Hermès Kelly Doll
Learn more about the Iconic and Collectible Hermès Kelly Doll
History of the Hermès Kelly Doll
Beloved by collectors worldwide, the Hermès Kelly Doll, also known as the Quelle Idole, was born from whimsy and designed by Jean-Louis Dumas. First released in 2000, these playful mini bags originally retailed for around $2,500. During their initial run, Hermès produced eight colorways, including Orange H, Rouge H, Black, Noisette, Blue Saphir, Vert Olive, Vert Cru, and Rouge Vif. Orange H is the most common, appearing in over 20% of auction sales, followed closely by Black. While once easy to find in boutiques or just above retail, their 2005 discontinuation transformed them into prized collector’s items.
Hermès Kelly Doll 2nd Edition 2008-2010
In 2008, Hermès began producing limited runs of the Hermès Kelly Doll again, mostly to mark the opening of new boutiques around the world. Through 2010 a number of new colors came out of the Pantin ateliers including Blue Jean, and Vermillion, but most notably 5P pink, which was selected for the 2010 opening of the Sogo boutique in Hong Kong. After 2010 the Hermès Kelly Doll was retired again, which truly spurred collectors to pay attention whenever they came to the secondary market.
Hermès Kelly Doll: HSS Exquisite
In 2015, Hermès unveiled five exceptional Quelle Idole bags at the Leather Forever exhibition in Singapore. Featuring embroidery, exotic skins, and intricate embellishments, these one-of-a-kind Kelly Dolls went viral among collectors and were later auctioned for charity. The buzz reignited interest in the style, and by 2017, the first HSS Kelly Dolls began emerging from Hermès workshops. A new era of Quelle Idole had begun—defined by personalized color and material combinations. Since then, numerous versions have surfaced on the secondary market, with Matte Alligator editions among the rarest and most coveted. Production remains extremely limited, and it’s unclear if we’ll ever see versions in shiny alligator, ostrich, lizard, or suede. Recent highlights include a Blue Zellige edition without the Horse Shoe Stamp and new ‘Touch’ Kelly Dolls featuring shiny alligator details paired with a Swift leather body.
Hermès Kelly Doll Alligator
The Hermès Kelly Doll in Matte Alligator is one of the most sought after Hermès bags by collectors. Sotheby’s has sold several Alligator Kelly Dolls at auction, with prices ranging from $76,000 to over $100,000. The second most expensive Kelly Doll ever sold is this Malachite Matte Alligator, which sold for 825,500 HKD in 2023. In March 2024, a Matte Gold Alligator Kelly Doll achieved 88,900 USD, now ranking as the third most expensive Kelly Doll sold at auction. Hermès collectors consider an Alligator Kelly Doll among the rarest and most desirable along with the Birkin Faubourg, a Himalayan bag, the Kelly Wood or Kelly Feather.
Hermès Kelly Doll Picto
Hermès introduced the newest Kelly Doll as part of its Spring/Summer 2022 collection. The new Hermès Kelly Doll Picto is a completely redesigned and re-imagined take on the Hermès Kelly Doll. The new design comes with a shoulder strap and has a pixel art style complete with a little backpack. The new Hermès Kelly Doll comes in Epsom leather in multiple colors include Mauve Sylvestre, Nata, Vert Fizz, Bleu Royal and Bleu Saphir with more colors expected. The Kelly Doll Picto retailed for $17,600 in 2024 but the price could increase in 2025.
Hermès Kelly Doll Charm
Hermès also makes a tiny Hermès Kelly Doll bag charm. Only about 6.5cm across, these leather charms are designed to adorn a bag, though fully function as their full-sized counterparts. These bag charms generally sell for around $6,000 to $7,000 on the secondary market and are available in a range of colors.
Hermès Kelly Doll Price
Appearing at auction with some regularity, the Hermès Kelly Doll has been an iconic presence on the market for over a decade now. Prior to 2015 only 1st edition Hermès Kelly Dolls had sold at auction and none topped $20,000. Today, over 50% of Hermès Kelly Dolls sold at auction have been from their first production run, with less than 20% coming from the 2008-2010 group which have averaged almost $45,000 since their first appearance at auction in 2015. These Kelly Dolls made for boutique openings have always been valued higher than the original versions, though in 2020 the auction average for the originals jumped 28% over the year prior to almost $30,000, and in 2021 the average jumped another 29% to over $41,000. Leather Kelly Dolls peaked in 2021 at nearly $80,000. More recently leather Kelly Doll bags have been selling for around $40,000 to $50,000. The newest Kelly Doll Picto has sold for as high as $74,000 in 2023 but prices have settled closer to $50,000 to $60,000.
This Limited Edition Gold, Bleu Zanzibar, Rose Texas and Jaune Milton Epsom Quelle Idole Kelly Doll Picto recently sold for $54,000 at Sotheby’s Origins auction in February 2025. As new colors of the Kelly Doll Picto are produced by Hermès, we anticipate an initial price peak that can exceed $60,000 and then as the color becomes more readily available, prices tend to come down quickly.
The Most Expensive Kelly Doll
The most expensive Hermès Kelly Doll ever sold at auction is the Limited Edition Rose Sakura and Chocolat Gulliver Quelle Idole Kelly Doll, which achieved 95,250 CHF at auction in May 2025. This rare Quelle Idole is crafted from supple Rose Sakura and Chocolat Gulliver leather, with a tonal leather interior. The bag measures 15 x 12 x 6 cm and is finished with palladium hardware. Its record-breaking price can be attributed in part to the use of Rose Sakura, one of Hermès’ most coveted and collectible pinks—especially prized by collectors for its delicate, feminine tone and limited availability.
This auction also marked the first time Sotheby’s has ever offered a Rose Sakura Kelly Doll, adding further excitement and competitive bidding among top collectors. Notably, while the second and third most expensive Kelly Dolls ever sold were both crafted in exotic Matte Alligator, this extraordinary result was achieved by an all-leather Kelly Doll, underscoring the rarity and desirability of this particular color and edition.
Buy and Sell Hermès Kelly Bags with Sotheby’s
Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the world of Hermès bags, Sotheby’s offers a trusted, seamless way to buy and sell Hermès Kelly bags on the secondary market.
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Purchase online or in person at our locations in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong—or work with a dedicated handbag concierge. - Exceptional Value
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