'Kelly' handbag thumbnail 1
'Kelly' handbag thumbnail 2
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'Kelly' handbag

Handbag
2018 (made)
Artist/Maker
Hermès
Place of origin
Paris
France (made)

Black 'Kelly' sellier handbag, box calf leather, designed by Hermès, Paris, 2018

Object details

Category
Bags
Object type
Handbag
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Handbag
  • Strap
  • Lock
  • Pouch
  • Pouch
Title'Kelly' handbag
Materials and techniques
leather
Leather
Brief description
Handbag, leather, 'Kelly' designed by Hermès, France, 2018
Physical description
Black 'Kelly' sellier handbag, box calf leather, designed by Hermès, Paris, 2018
Dimensions
  • Height: 34cm
  • Width: 30cm
  • Depth: 13cm
Gallery label
(12/2020)
This handbag was first created in the 1930s by Robert Dumas-Hermès, a later descendant of the Hermès family. Originally named 'Sac à dépêches', it was renamed 'Kelly' in honour of Grace Kelly, the Hollywood star who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1955. Through its association with the Princess, it has become one of the most iconic and popular handbags of all time.

V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out.
Credit line
Donated by Hermès
Bibliographic reference
Bags V&A Exhibition (Project) Bags: Inside Out (2020) Lucia Savi, V&A Publishing, pg 88
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.177-2019

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Record createdJanuary 4, 2019
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1468720/kelly-handbag-handbag-hermès/
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