The Best Limited Edition Hermès Bags of 2023 (So Far)
The Sotheby's handbag department has seen many great Limited Edition Hermès Bags in 2023 and wanted to highlight our favorites that are available for immediate purchase. Our top picks include the newest Birkin Desordre, a Toile Kelly 28 perfect for summer, the playful Bolide on Wheels and more. Sotheby's lists Hermès Bags every week, so if your must have limited edition is sold out, make sure to contact a specialist so we can try to source another bag.
1 | Hermès Birkin 30 en Desordre
The Hermès Birkin bag emerged from an encounter in 1984 between actress and singer Jane Birkin and the CEO of Hermès on a flight from Paris to London. Birkin shared her frustration and desire for a stylish yet functional bag. Thus, the Birkin bag was born, soon becoming the ultimate status symbol representing luxury and exclusivity. While the Birkin is Hermès's most iconic bag, the Birkin 30 en Desordre takes the design to a new level. This Hermès bag features a half flap set on a diagonal and an exterior pocket, giving the bag a contemporary feel. This limited edition Birkin also has an exterior back zippered pocket. The body of the Birkin is crafted from togo leather, and its flap and pocket are crafted from swift leather, creating a stunning contrast between the two materials that enhances the Birkin's depth. As a limited edition release, the Birkin 30 en Desorde adds an even more elusive element to the already rare and collectible Birkin bag. This limited edition Birkin is a must-have for individuals who want to add a unique bag to their collection.
2 | Hermès Kelly 28 Toile Quadrille
The Hermès Kelly bag was introduced in the 1930s and originally named Sac à Dépêches. When filming Alfred Hitchcock's movie "To Catch a Thief," actress Grace Kelly wore the Sac à Dépêches as a part of her character's wardrobe. However, Kelly loved the bag so much that she continued to wear it after filming. A few years later, Grace Kelly married the Prince of Monaco and became a princess. During her pregnancy, she shielded her belly from the paparazzi using the Sac à Dépêches, forever associating the bag with her name. Hermès responded by renaming the bag the "Kelly." The Sellier version of the Kelly bag is more structured and angular than its counterpart, the Kelly Retourne. One of the exceptional features of this limited edition Hermès Kelly 28 Sellier bag is the use of quadrille canvas, which brings geometric beauty to the design. Each stitch is meticulously planned and placed in the making of quadrille canvas. The bold black leather of the bag accentuates the Sellier silhouette.
3 | Hermès Bolide On Wheels
In 1916, Emile-Maurice Hermès, grandson to the founder of Hermès, traveled to North America. While visiting Henry Ford's automobile factory, he discovered the zipper and decided to bring the revolutionary idea back to France. In 1923, Hermès filed a patent to incorporate the zipper into its leather goods and became the first luxury house to do so. The Hermès Bolide bag was initially named "le sac pour l'auto," or "bag for the automobile." With the 20th century’s travel surge, the Bolide was created as the perfect travel accessory. The limited edition Bolide on Wheels debuted in 2022 in honor of the reopening of Hermès Madison Avenue flagship store. This unique Hermès bag refreshes its classic design by adding four luggage-style wheels, paying homage to its roots of "le sac pour l'auto." The Bolide on Wheels epitomizes the creativity of the Hermès house and is a rare and coveted collector's item.
4 | Hermès Mini Jypsiere
The Jypsiere bag was initially created in 2008 during Jean Paul Gaultier's tenure as the creative director of Hermès. Gaultier wanted a more relaxed saddle-style bag inspired by outdoor pursuits such as hunting and fishing. Recently, a mini size of this bag was released, reigniting the Jypsiere style's popularity. This Hermès bag is designed to be comfortable, with its wide strap that can be adjusted in length. The Jypsiere is the perfect travel companion as you can wear it as a crossbody, and it will stay close to your body, offering security and allowing you to stay hands-free. Its large front flap protects all your belongings, ensuring the contents of your bag remain safe throughout all your adventures. Although the Jypsiere Mini is not much larger than a Mini Kelly 20, its proportions allow you to pack much more into the bag than meets the eye.
5 | Hermès In-the-Loop 18
This Hermès In-the-Loop bag pays homage to the iconic Chain D’Ancre motif, a symbol deeply rooted in the history of the Hermès house and featured in various Hermès products. In 1937, Robert Dumas, son-in-law of Emile Hermès, traveled to the coast of Normandy, where he was captivated by the intricate chain links connecting a boat to its anchor. In 1938, Dumas brought this idea to Hermès and crafted the silver Chain D’Ancre bracelet. In 1970, the Chain D’Ancre design was registered as an exclusive to Hermès. The In-the-Loop bag draws inspiration from Dumas’s Normandy trip, featuring the Chain D’Ancre motif throughout the bag’s design. This bucket-shaped bag has smooth leather handles and a convenient pocket inside. Its structured bottom features the Chain D’Ancre design, supporting the entire bag. The Hermès In-the-Loop bag has a clasp closure that embraces the motif while ensuring your belongings are secure. Its wide compartment opening offers easy access to all your essentials. Launched in December of 2022, this bag has the potential to become the next Hermès “it-bag” and could become the alternative to the Hermès Picotin.
6 | Hermès Birkin Cut Shadow Gold
The Shadow Birkin first debuted in 2009 when French designer Jean Paul Gaultier was the creative director of Hermès. During his time at the fashion house, from 2003 to 2010, Gaultier introduced a fresh perspective to Hermès by focusing on creating one-of-a-kind designs. With the Shadow Birkin, Gaultier wanted to create a trompe-l’œil effect, forming a three-dimensional appearance to a two-dimensional object. The Shadow Birkin is embossed from the inside to create a raised impression and captures all the recognizable and classic Birkin features, such as the sangles, plaque, clochette, and flap. After a decade, Hermès decided to reintroduce the design of the Shadow Birkin in limited numbers. This style has become a unique collector's item due to its optical illusion effect and association with Gaultier. This gold color is the most in-demand color by Hermès and was initially made popular thanks to the iconic style of Grace Kelly in the 1950s. The Hermès Birkin Cut Shadow is fun combination of the Shadow Birkin and the Kelly Cut, both creations from Gaultier.
