HERMÈS IS a fashion house that has been family owned for five generations . Hermès started as a saddlery with fine equestrian leather goods . However , nowadays they are known for their prestigious handbags and fashion .
Hermès is rich in history , but have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of their classic bags ?
JANE BIRKIN
Yes , the Birkin is named after none other than Jane Birkin . Jane Birkin was a Britishborn , Paris-based singer , songwriter , actress , and model . On a flight from Paris to London , Jane Birkin received a seat upgrade beside none other than Jean-Louis Dumas ( Executive Chairman of Hermès , 1978 – 2006 ).
While on the flight , Birkin was complaining about not being able to find a bag that suited her needs , especially as a young mother . Jean-Louis Dumas immediately sketched a spacious rectangular body with a burnished flap and saddle stitching with a dedicated space for baby bottles . This design became the coveted Birkin .
PRINCESS GRACE KELLY
The Hermès Kelly was formerly known as the Sac à dépêches bag . Doesn ’ t roll off the tongue as nicely , does it ? The Sac à dépêches was first released in the 1930s and was renamed by the public as the “ Kelly ” bag due to an image of Princess Grace Kelly using her Sac à dépêches to cover her baby bump from the paparazzi .
Shy and newly married , she didn ’ t want to make her pregnancy known right away , and her beloved Hermès bag helped her hide it . This image became extremely popular all over the world and was on the front cover of many magazines .
Due to the public referring to the bag as the “ Kelly ” bag , it began to grow in popularity throughout the world , giving the company much more exposure which then inspired them to produce even more of the iconic bags for wealthy celebrities and rename it the Hermès Kelly Bag .
CATHERINE CHAILLET
Chaillet was the first woman to ever design a Hermès Bag ( score one for Team Women !). In 1959 while pregnant , she dreamed up a design for a bag and named it in honour of her fifth child , Constance . Her baby was delivered the same day that the first Constance left the Hermès production store .
DO THEY STILL TEACH THE LINDY HOP IN SCHOOLS ?
The energetic swing-style Lindy dance , born in Harlem in 1928 , was known for its eccentric dance shapes . It became the inspiration for the Lindy bag , which was designed for comfort and movement . The Lindy was a Friederic Vidal homage to the Lindy Hop .
EVELYNE BERTRAND
In the late 1970s , rapid growth in the house of Hermès had called for separate collections for their day-wear handbags and their functional equestrian tools . It was at this time that the Hermès Evelyne was created by Evelyne Bertrand , the head of Hermès ’ riding department . The bag was originally designed as a convenient carryall for horse grooming equipment . The defining feature of the bag was the “ H ” monogram on the back , which allowed for aeration of the grooming tools while those were carried . Yes , you were supposed to carry the Evelyne with the “ H ” facing the body !
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