History of the Hermès Constance
In 1959, Jean-Louis Dumas, the artistic designer of Hermès at the time, commissioned Catherine Chaillet to design a new handbag for the Maison. Chaillet, an acclaimed in-house designer at Hermès, created a sleek, minimalist handbag with a shoulder strap and an "H" clasp. Chaillet was pregnant then, and, coincidentally, her design left the Hermès production facilities on the same day Chaillet delivered her baby. Chaillet named her cherished design "Constance" in tribute to her newborn daughter.
The Hermès Constance bag was propelled to fame when former First Lady and style icon, Jacqueline Kennedy, was seen sporting the design so frequently that it was deemed her bag of choice. Kennedy was drawn to the bag due to its leather shoulder strap, allowing it to be hands-free. The Hermès Constance bag quickly became a staple handbag among fashion enthusiasts and celebrities who admired Kennedy's style.
The Hermès Constance is a part of the "Holy Trinity" of Hermès handbags, alongside the Birkin and Hermès Kelly. The Hermès Constance may get less attention but it remains timeless and versatile. A single artisan handcrafts each Hermès Constance bag. The process takes approximately 14 to 18 hours per bag, a testament to Hermès's quality and attention to detail.
Hermès Constance 18: A Beloved Classic
The Hermès Constance 18 is the ultimate classic within the Constance collection. With smaller handbags increasing in popularity due to recent trends, the Hermès Constance 18 perfectly embodies the preference for smaller dimensions. The Hermès Constance 18 features a looped leather strap allowing the bag to be worn shorter or longer. With the option for one or two interior compartments, the Hermès Constance 18 is perfect for any occasion and is the ideal day-to-night handbag.
The Constance collection offers a range of sizes, including the Hermès Constance Micro 14, Hermès Constance Mini 18, and Hermès Constance Elan 25. Although Hermès has discontinued sizes such as 23 cm, 25 cm, and 29 cm, one might be lucky enough to find these rare sizes on the secondary market. Introduced in 2010, the Elan is the most recent edition of the Constance collection with a longer and more rectangular design, distinguishing it from other square-like Constance models.
Craftsmanship of the Hermès Constance
The Hermès Constance bag was initially crafted using Box Calf leather or Porosus Crocodile, lined in lambskin, and finished with gold hardware. However, the design has evolved to offer many material and hardware options. The signature “H” shaped buckle closure opens and closes flawlessly due to its spring mechanism. This closure is a testament to the Maison’s craftsmanship and is a beautiful way to secure the top flap of the handbag. The “H” clasp comes in palladium, gold, rose gold, limited edition exotic skins, or can be diamond encrusted.
Hermès Constance Wallets
Inspired by the original Constance design, Hermès released the Constance Slim Wallet, Constance Compact Passant Wallet, and the more popular Hermès Constance To-Go Wallet. The Hermès Constance To-Go Wallet includes a removable shoulder strap, four credit card compartments, two pockets, a zippered section for your change, an exterior pocket, and the classic “H” closure. The removable strap transforms this wallet into a cross-body bag, making it a versatile fashion statement.
Limited Edition Hermès Constance Bags
The popularity of the Hermès Constance design has inspired a range of limited edition variations offering unique takes on the classic handbag. One remarkable limited edition design is the Hermès Constance Marquette bag, which features a lizard skin inlay and an “H” clasp often paired with crocodile or alligator leather. The combination of the contrasting colors and textures between the two exotic skins creates a beautiful pairing. Another striking limited edition design is the Hermès Constance Tricolor, which blends three different hues of exotic skins, resulting in a one-of-a-kind design that emphasizes Hermès’s commitment to creativity and quality craftsmanship.
Another popular limited edition Hermès Constance is crafted using rare marble-printed silk. The printed patterns on the silk are created using a traditional Japanese technique called suminagashi, which translates to “floating ink.” This technique dates back to 12th-century Japanese art and was originally used on paper. This colorfully vibrant design is accompanied by Rose Swift Leather, creating an exquisite and unique bag. There is only one remaining family, based in Kyoto, that produces this technique. Hermès has dedicated over a decade to exploring this technique, a testament to their commitment to creativity and craftsmanship. Each marble-silk bag has a unique pattern, making it stand out from other designer handbags in the market.
Hermès Constance Pricing
The Hermès Constance 18 in leather retails for about $8,000 and the Hermès Constance 24 in leather retails for about $12,000. A store fresh leather Hermès Constance 18 sells for around $13,000-$18,000 on the secondary market. The range in price is due to availability and demand for some color and hardware combinations over others. Overall the Hermès Constance bag holds its value on the secondary market. Resale prices vary depending on condition, material, size, color and age of the the bag. Brighter colors in the smaller size tends to be more sought after by buyers and, thus, sell at a higher price. The Hermès Constance has remained a popular and desirable design, making it a strong investment and style choice for buyers.
