Hermes bags are a unique embodiment of the adoring work of the world's best luxury leather artisans. Meet the holy trinity of the Fashion House that has a special place in the history of fashion art - Birkin, Kelly, and Constance bags. So much can be said about their rare variations.
In our article today:
- Why are Birkin, Kelly, and Constance so popular?
- Top-notch Hermes – what is it?
- Sac Birkin Faubourg
- Birkin Touch
- Metallic Birkin
- Cavalcadour Sellier Kelly
- Shadow Birkin
- Kelly Doll or Quelle Idole
- Lizard Skin
- Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30
- Hermès Kelly Mini Sterling Silver With Chaine d'Ancre Chain Strap
- The Sac Bijou Birkin
Why are Birkin, Kelly, and Constance so popular?
It takes a craftsman about 30 hours to create one of these bags since each step in this process is carried out manually. One craftsman performs all the stages themself - from inspection and tanning of the skin to the final stitch and fastening of accessories.
It is challenging to get the bag because their number is limited due to the highest requirements for technology and product quality. Today, about 250 best craftsmen are involved in creating these rare Hermes bags.
The cost of Birkin, Kelly, or Constance on the secondary market has only increased over the years. Some prefer to chase the opportunity to purchase a bag in a boutique to get the thrill of competition, while others buy bags from private collections or use special services such as Rare Collection.
Top-notch Hermès
Once every few years, the Hermes releases a limited collection of bags from the legendary trinity. We are talking about very limited unique items. Those special pieces are sold at 6 figure prices at auctions and are unavailable in boutiques. Unless you are one of the privileged customers.
The holy grail of all Birkins - Sac Birkin Faubourg
In 2019, the design saw the world for the first time, absorbing the story of Hermes's heart - the flagship boutique in Paris in Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré.. It was a limited edition Birkin bag made in size 20 for the first time in 35 years.
Initially, Birkin Faubourg debuted in two colors - Navy Blue and Gold - and over time appeared in Beton, where the leather is combined slightly differently. Oh yes! This bag combines as many as 5 leather types, including the rare Matte Alligator.
Each variation of the bag is a view of the boutique in a specific period - day, night, midnight and snowy day.
In 2022, Rare Collection delivered 6 of these bags to private collections.
Kylie Jenner and Neige Snow Faubourg Birkin & 4 variations of Sac Birkin Faubourg
Rare Birkin Bag: Birkin Touch
This bag was created in 2017 for those who are adventurous enough to add a touch of exoticism to the classic bag design. The bag is often jeweled with precious stones.
This bag can often be found in selections for collectors as it strikes with its elegance - most often, the classic Togo leather is combined with the Missippian Alligator leather in many variations. But such an exquisite mix can even consist of 6 types of leather.
One of these bags in beautiful marine colors was delivered by the Rare Collection service to a private collection in Rome.
Rare Birkin Bag: Metallic Birkin
The presence of exotic leather and diamonds is not a prerequisite for a Hermes bag to become rare. Metallic Birkin is direct proof of that. It was created in 2005.
This limited edition bag is crafted from Chevre goat leather in two colors: bronze and silver. The design of the bag was inspired by the windows of the Hermès Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré store, created by Leila Menchar.
In action, this bag is sold several times more expensive than its original cost.
In 2023, fans of rare Hermes bags will be delighted to see Kelly 20 Gold Metallic. It will definitely win thousands of hearts, but only a few will get it.
Bella Hadid and Metallic Birkin
Rare Kelly Bag: Cavalcadour Sellier Kelly
The limited edition Kelly The Cavalcadour was released in 2017 as a tribute to Henri d'Origny. Since its release, this bag has been exclusively available to Hermes VIPs.
The first thing that attracts attention in this bag is the canvas called Toile de Camp. TOILE DE CAMP. We are not used to seeing this, but still, it is found in selected Hermes items in combination with Swift leather.
Cavalcadour Sellier Kelly
Who is Henri d'Origny?
Since joining Hermes in 1958, Henri d'Origny has created an incredible number of scarves, watches, and jewelry that are so admired by collectors. Many traditional Hermes motifs have found new life in his hands, transformed into something new.
The CAVALCADOUR pattern itself was created in 1981 for Hermes scarves. It goes back to the very origins of the Fashion House when a similar harness was used on riding bags in 1837.
Rare Birkin Bag: Shadow Birkin
Finding this rare Birkin with an unusual design often baffles collectors. Like an illusion of classic design, it fully justifies its name. This bag was created in 2009 by the famous French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. Only 10 years later, this bag was re-released in a limited edition.
This item is the only Birkin bag that has moved away from its classic design and has been gifted with a flat top.
Shadow Birkin
Rare Kelly Bag: Kelly Doll or Quelle Idole
Not all Hermes bags get recognition at first sight. One of these was Kelly Doll. This fun and playful bag was designed by Jean-Louis Dumas in 2000. By 2004, this bag had become quite common in Hermes boutiques, but yet did not gain instant popularity and was discontinued in 2005.
In an extremely limited edition, Hermes Quelle Idole returned in 2008 and marked the opening of new boutiques worldwide.
Later, the bag appeared in boutiques again in 2010, at the Leather Forever exhibition in 2015, and in the new version of HSS Kelly Doll in 2017.
The exotic leather versions have become the desirability peak of this bag.
Thanks to its kawaii aesthetic, the Hermes Kelly Doll has gained incredible popularity in Japan and other Asian countries, where one of these adorable bags was delivered by the special team of the Rare Collection.
Hermes Kelly Doll & Hermes Kelly Doll Pixie Rose
Rare Hermes Bags: Lizard Skin
Well, here we could not decide on our favorite. Most of us are used to seeing items from various crocodile and ostrich leather among exotic Hermes bags.
Lizard skin is a rare but unforgettable sight, whether dyed or original.
In 2022, the Rare Collection delivered an adorable Constance 18 crafted from beautiful Blue Lizard skin.
However, you can find this leather in Birkin and Kelly bags in various colors. Thanks to this skin, they acquire an unusual texture and volume.
Items from Ombre Lizard are more contrasting, in which the extraordinary original color of the scales is preserved. We have delivered one too - Kelly Pochette Lizard Ombre GHW.
Kelly Pochette Lizard Ombre GHW & Constance 18 Blue Lizard
When it comes to the rarest, most desirable, and most expensive bags - Diamond Himalaya Birkin, this bag will be found in every Hermes collection.
The 18-carat white gold and approximately 10-carat shiny colorless diamonds certainly add to the value of this bag. Since then, its value has continued to grow, especially if you buy it for private clients.
But it's not only gold and diamonds that make this bag so attractive. All Himalayan bags are in huge demand and sold for large sums.
The bag is made of exotic Niloticus Crocodile leather, but its color wins everybody's heart. The color of this bag repeats the landscapes of the Himalayan mountains, hence the name - Himalaya. Perfect white leather with a delicate gradient requires the highest craftsmanship available only to the best Hermes artisans.
A special division of the Rare Collection sourced a Kelly 28 Himalaya Niloticus specifically for our client's private collection and delivered it to Asia.
Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30 & Kelly 28 Himalaya Niloticus
Rare Kelly Bag: Hermès Kelly Mini Sterling Silver With Chaine d'Ancre Chain Strap
Kelly 15 is made entirely of sterling silver but should not be on par with Bijou Birkin. Despite being a jeweler's creation, this bag is fully functional and ready to complement your evening outfit.
Keys, lipstick, cash, and credit cards will fit perfectly here, but the phone, depending on the size.
Instead of a strap, it comes with the famous Hermes Chaine d'Ancre necklace.
It is almost impossible to repeat the full functionality of the classic Kelly if you make a bag from silver. Therefore, Hermès designed it so the front of the bag opens forward.
Kylie Jenner & Hermès Kelly Mini Sterling Silver With Chaine d'Ancre Chain Strap
Rare Birkin Bag: The Sac Bijou Birkin
Perhaps this is the most unusual and expensive rare Birkin. You will not see even the rarest leather in it because it is made exclusively of rose gold and encrusted with 2712 diamonds.
The Hermes jewelry department made the most exclusive Birkin bag in the history of the Fashion House under the subtle direction of Pierre Hardy in 2012. This mini bag is fully functional but designed to be worn as a bracelet. At the moment, there are only 3 such items.
The Sac Bijou Birkin
