Hermès Kelly 35

HERMÈS
Kelly Bag, 35 cm, 2013.
Clemence Taurillon leather in vibrant Orange H, a signature Hermès shade. It features a trapezoidal shape, slightly wider at the base, and a straight flap closure secured by a strap with palladium hardware. Short top handle, rivets at the base, and a leather interior with pockets.
Includes a shoulder strap and a padlock.
In excellent condition.
Measurements: 35 x 24 x 12 cm; 90 cm (shoulder strap length).

Undoubtedly, the Kelly bag up for auction gains even greater significance due to its distinctive orange hue. Hermès’ orange, known as Orange H or Orange Boîte, is a warm, vibrant, and luminous shade that lies between pure orange and a subtle reddish tint. Unlike fluorescent or overly saturated oranges, it possesses great depth and elegance, conveying a sense of energy, optimism, and sophistication. Its chromatic balance makes it immediately recognizable and serves as a true symbol of the French maison’s identity. Hermès adopted it for its iconic boxes beginning in 1942, making it one of the most iconic corporate colors in the luxury world ever since. The brand itself defines it as the “vibrant color” of its iconic case.

Designed in 1935, this Hermès model came to be known as the Kelly when Grace Kelly was photographed carrying it in 1956 in a photo published in *Life* magazine, in which she used the bag to conceal her pregnancy. This model is, along with the Birkin, one of the brand’s most coveted designs—a true icon and standard-bearer of artisanal craftsmanship. Its creation takes about eighteen hours and is carried out by a single artisan from start to finish.