Hermès Brand Story — Heritage, Kelly & Birkin Bags, and the Art of Luxury

Biography & Origins

The Hermès brand was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, who established a workshop in Paris dedicated to crafting high-quality saddles and leather harnesses for horse carriages.

Thierry Hermès originally came from Krefeld, Germany, a region known for its leather and textile craftsmanship. His first workshop was located in the Grands Boulevards district of Paris.

Later, his son Charles-Émile Hermès took over the company and, in 1880, moved its headquarters and boutique to 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré — still the brand’s legendary flagship store today.

Over time, Hermès evolved from making equestrian gear to producing luxury handbags, silk scarves, ready-to-wear, fragrances, watches, and other exquisite accessories.
The first Hermès leather handbag was introduced in 1922, marking the beginning of the brand’s expansion into modern luxury fashion.
Despite its global fame, Hermès has remained a family-owned business, preserving its legacy of handcraftsmanship, superior materials, and authenticity.

Heritage & Brand Essence

Hermès was born from the world of leather, saddlery, and equestrian tradition — where durability, craftsmanship, and quality were paramount.
This foundation established the brand’s uncompromising standards from the very beginning.

The core values of Hermès have always been tradition, artisanal skill, superior materials, and time-honored creation.
One of the brand’s classic mottos captures this perfectly:
“Leather, sport, and a tradition of refined elegance.”

Why Hermès Is So Exclusive

Hermès is often described as the most exclusive luxury brand in the world — and for good reason:

Limited & Controlled Production: Hermès deliberately keeps its production limited so that supply remains lower than demand.
Exceptional Craftsmanship: Each handbag or accessory takes dozens of hours to create, entirely by hand, using time-intensive methods.
Rare & Premium Materials: Only the finest leathers, exotic skins, precious metals, and custom colors are used.
Global Prestige & Demand: Owning a Hermès piece symbolizes status, taste, and belonging to a very small circle.
Thriving Resale Market: Many Hermès items increase in value over time — vintage or limited-edition bags often sell for more than their retail price.

As a result, Hermès has become a symbol of both fashion and financial investment, representing timeless value and social prestige.

Why Hermès Is Ultra-Luxury and So Expensive

A combination of all the factors above has elevated Hermès to the level of ultra-luxury: its rich history, heritage, master craftsmanship, premium materials, limited production, low supply, and high global demand.
Fashion industry analysts often say: “The law of economics states that the rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes.”
Luxury experts explain that Hermès’ high prices come from its unmatched skill, exceptional materials, strong heritage, and worldwide demand.
For example, iconic handbags such as the Birkin start at very high retail prices — yet in the resale market, they often sell for even more.
This idea of “owning something most people can’t have” has turned Hermès into more than just a fashion brand — it’s become a symbol of investment, wealth, and social status.

The Kelly Bag — Elegance & Royal Grace

Origin:
The Kelly bag was originally designed in the 1930s by Robert Dumas, a member of the Hermès family, under the name Sac à dépêches.

Rise to Fame:
In the 1950s, actress and future princess Grace Kelly was photographed carrying the bag. Later, while pregnant, she famously used it to conceal her growing baby bump in a Life magazine photo.
The image went viral worldwide, and Hermès officially renamed the piece “The Kelly Bag” in her honor.

Features:

Structured silhouette with a signature Hermès turn-lock closure
Entirely handcrafted by a single artisan
Available in various sizes and leathers (Kelly 20, 25, 28, etc.)
Crafted from luxury leathers such as Togo, Epsom, or Swift

The Birkin Bag — An Icon Born in the Sky

Origin Story:
In 1981, British actress Jane Birkin happened to sit next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London.
Birkin mentioned she couldn’t find a leather bag both practical and chic enough for her everyday life as a new mother.
Dumas sketched an idea for her mid-flight — and a few months later, the Birkin Bag was born.

Features:

Softer, more relaxed design than the Kelly
Open top with double handles for easy daily use
Fully hand-stitched by a single craftsman (40–50 hours of work per bag)
Comes with signature Hermès lock and key
Available in multiple sizes (Birkin 25, 30, 35, etc.)

Symbol of Luxury & Rarity

Both the Kelly and Birkin are considered the most exclusive handbags in the world.
Hermès does not sell these bags freely — only long-term, loyal clients are offered the chance to purchase one.

This exclusivity fuels massive demand and a thriving resale market:

The Birkin Himalaya Diamond remains the world’s most expensive handbag (valued at over $400,000)
Kelly bags frequently sell for $15,000–$100,000 at major auctions like Sotheby’s and Christie’s

Expansion into Beauty & Fragrance

In recent years, Hermès has expanded into the world of beauty through Hermès Beauty.
The first line, Rouge Hermès, debuted in 2020, featuring satin and matte lipsticks designed by Pierre Hardy.
Since then, the brand has introduced blushes, powders, nail polishes, and luxurious perfumes.

Signature Hermès Beauty Products:

Rouge Hermès: Iconic lipsticks with a subtle iris scent and refillable cases
Rose Hermès: Silk-inspired blush collection
Les Mains Hermès: Nail care and polish line in unique shades
Fragrances: Twilly d’Hermès, Terre d’Hermès, Un Jardin sur le Nil, and more

Even in beauty, Hermès remains faithful to its values — artistry, quality, sustainability, and timeless authenticity.