Brief History of the Hermès Kelly Bag
The history of the Hermès Kelly bag is a testament to the evolution of the luxury brand Hermès, with its origins dating back to 1852. The bag's story begins with the creation of the Haut à Courroies (HAC), a design originally intended to carry saddles for equestrians. In the 1930s, the HAC was reimagined as the Sac à Dépêches by Robert Dumas, son-in-law of Hermès CEO Émile Hermès.
The Kelly bag rose to fame in 1955 when actress Grace Kelly, while filming To Catch a Thief, discovered the bag and became inseparable from it. She famously used it to shield her pregnancy from paparazzi, cementing its status as a symbol of elegance and sophistication. In honor of the actress-turned-Princess of Monaco, Hermès officially renamed the bag the “Kelly” in 1977. The Kelly’s original trapezoidal design featured two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, a single handle, and two side straps. Over time, an optional shoulder strap was added, enhancing its functionality. Meticulously handcrafted, each Kelly bag is constructed from 36 pieces of leather and requires 680 stitches, taking a single artisan 18 to 24 hours to complete.
Since its inception, the Kelly bag has evolved into various forms, with the two main styles being the Kelly Retourne and the Kelly Sellier. Its iconic status has inspired an array of Hermès accessories, including the Kelly wallet, belt, watch, clutches, and smaller leather goods. The Hermès Kelly bag remains a timeless icon of luxury and craftsmanship, celebrated for its elegance, exclusivity, and enduring legacy.
Most Expensive Hermès Kelly Bags
While Birkins often takes the top spot for the most expensive, the Kelly bag closely follows as one of the most coveted and valuable pieces from Hermès. Known for their rarity and desirability, Kelly bags continue to be highly sought after in the luxury market. Read on to explore some of the most collectible and expensive Hermès Kelly bags.
Hermès Kelly Himalaya
Not surprisingly the most expensive Hermès Kelly bags sold at Sotheby's are both Himalaya Kelly bags. A Hermès Kelly 28 Himalaya with Diamonds sold for $425,000 in 2023. The second most expensive Kelly bag was a Kelly 25 Himalaya sold in Paris for $352,800 Euro or just over $373,000. This was in incredible price for a crocodile Kelly Himalaya bag and was a reflection of the demand for this size in 2022. In 2023, a store fresh Kelly 25 Himalaya has sold for as high as 177,800 Euro or $187,000 while a Kelly 28 Himalaya sold for 190,500 Euro or $200,000.
Hermès Kelly Feather
A limited edition Hermès Kelly 32 Feather So Black sold for 2,032,000 HKD or $264,000 in 2023. The Hermès So Black collection was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier when he was the creative director. Introduced in 2010, the So Black Collection was shown as part of Gaultier's final runway show with Hermès. The So Black Collection featured all black elements including the packaging and black PVD hadware. The So Black Kelly 32 Sellier from 2010 is crafted from black Box leather and saturated-black natural feathers along with distinct black PVD hardware. Hermès partnered with Maison Lemarié, the Haute Couture feather métier founded in 1880. Hermès artisans handpicked the finest feathers, and attached them onto the Kelly one at a time. The beautiful feathered panel makes this So Black Kelly truly rare and collectible.
Hermès Kelly 20 Diamond Crocodile
The most expensive Hermès Mini Kelly is the perfect combination of crocodile and diamonds. A Black Shiny Porosus Mini Kelly 20 with 18K white gold hardware and diamonds sold for 1,651,000 HKD or $214,630 at Sotheby's October 2023 Hong Kong Auction. This rare Kelly bag from 2023 stands as the epitome of sophistication, making it the ultimate statement evening bag. Diamonds on an Hermès bags is the ultimate upgrade to the most sought after bag.
Hermès Kelly 25 Metallic Bronze
The Limited Edition Bronze Metallic Kelly 25, which sold for 1,016,000 HKD in 2023, holds the title of the most expensive leather Kelly bag. The Limited Edition Metallic Hermès drew inspiration from the captivating displays created by Leila Menchari at the Hermès flagship store on 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. To achieve the distinctive metallic sheen, Hermès artisans infuse the leather with a special dye, altering its texture in the process, resulting in a unique and highly coveted masterpiece.
Hermès Kellymorphose Silver Sac Bijou
A Sterling Silver Kellymorphose Sac Bijou sold for 889,000 HKD or $115,570 in 2023. The Kellymorphose wsa designed by Pierre Hardy, the Hermès jewelry creative director. Sterling silver Kelly bag that is part jewelry and part bag and can be worn many ways including cross body, shoulder bag and worn around the waste. It can also be carried is a top handle bag or worn as a necklace.
Hermès Kelly Doll
The most expensive Hermès Kelly Doll sold for 825,500 HKD or $107,000 in 2023. The Malachite Matte Alligator Kelly Doll with Gold Hardware and Black Swift Arms from 2019 is rare and highly collectible. While the Kelly Doll was first introduced in 2000, alligator versions rarely appear in the secondary market due to the very few that are produced by Hermès.
In recent years, the Hermès Kelly bag price has significantly increased. Prices for popular models such as the Kelly 25 in Togo leather have increased by 21% since 2019. In 2024, prices continued to rise by as much as 14% for certain designs. The increase in price reflects the ongoing demand and the brand's strategy to retain exclusivity and maintain the allure of its iconic bags.
Advantages to Buying Hermès Kelly Bags on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Kelly bags from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine Kelly bags in the most popular colors, materials and sizes along with rare Himalayan and Limited Edition Kelly bags. Our handbag specialists are always sourcing the more desirable Kelly bags from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Hermès Kelly bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase Kelly bags including auction, online, and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Kelly bag that isn't available at auction or online.
3. Value
While Kelly bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Kelly bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a Kelly Bag at an Hermès boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered a Kelly that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Kelly bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing a Kelly.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury marketplace is discovering unique one of a kind Kelly bag or rare limited edition Kelly bags that are no longer available at Hermès. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of Kelly bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buy and Sell Hermès Kelly Bags at Sotheby's
Sotheby's always has a curated selection of the top Hermès Kelly bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Birkin and Kelly bags in every sale in addition to other popular Hermès bags in pristine condition in the newest colors and classic neutrals. Sotheby's handbag sales include rare and limited edition Hermès bags in exotic materials, custom color combinations and even diamond hardware.
Prices for Hermès bags range from $3,000 to $5,000 at the low end for the Herbag, Garden Party and Evelyne TPM. Prices for the most sought after Birkin and Kelly bags start at around $20,000 and can exceed $100,000 for the rarest and most desirable limited edition Birkin or Kelly bags.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag Specialist about selling an Hermès bag or submit your item here for valuation.
Trust our worldwide network of leading handbag specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.