The Kelly bag, created by the renowned luxury fashion house Hermès, is an iconic handbag celebrated for its timeless design, exceptional craftsmanship, and association with Hollywood actress and royalty, Grace Kelly. This bag has an intriguing history that solidifies its status as a symbol of sophistication and luxury.
The Hermès Kelly is available in eight sizes – the number relates to the length of the base on the bag in centimetres: Kelly 15 (K15) • Kelly 20 (K20) • Kelly 25 (K25) • Kelly 28 (K28) • Kelly 32 (K32) • Kelly 35 (K35) • Kelly 40 (K40) • Kelly 50 (K50).
The Kelly 15 and 20 are minis, while the 40 and 50 are typically designated as travel bags. The most favored sizes for daily use are the 25 and 28, striking a perfect balance between accommodating essentials and offering the convenience of evening or crossbody wear.
With dimensions of approximately 7.5 inches in width, 4.5 inches in height, and 2.2 inches in depth, the Kelly 20, also affectionately referred to as the “mini Kelly 2,” serves as the ultimate day-to-evening bag for the fashion-forward woman who prefers to travel light.
The “sellier” style features a firm and structured design that incorporates a reinforcing layer between the outer leather and inner lining, with visible side and bottom stitching. In contrast, the “retourné” style employs a softer construction method in which the bag is sewn and then inverted, concealing the external side stitching.
Grace Kelly: Hollywood Star and Princess
Grace Kelly, born on November 12, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a prominent American actress known for her work in classic films such as “Rear Window,” “To Catch a Thief,” and “High Noon.” Her talent and grace quickly propelled her to stardom, and she received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “The Country Girl” in 1954.
In 1956, Grace Kelly’s life took a fairytale turn when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, becoming Princess Grace of Monaco. Her transition from a Hollywood actress to European royalty was a story that captured the world’s imagination, and she carried herself with the same elegance and poise she had displayed on the silver screen.
The Birth of the Kelly Bag
The history of the “Grace Kelly” bag traces back to the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film set in the French Riviera, “To Catch a Thief,” starring Cary Grant and the iconic beauty and actress, Grace Kelly. The film’s costume designer, Edith Head, who was nominated for an Oscar for the film, selected the Sac à Dépêches bag as part of Kelly’s character’s opulent wardrobe. Grace Kelly, already a fashion icon, was so enamoured with the bag that she kept it.
Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, ascending to the title of Princess Grace of Monaco in April, 1956. The wedding was estimated to have been watched by over 30 million viewers on television.
The Academy Award winning actress retired from acting at age 26 to begin her duties as Princess. Their love story resembled a fairy tale: an American small-town beauty marrying a dashing European prince. Media frenzy ensued, with paparazzi trailing the couple everywhere they went.
Soon after, the new princess became pregnant with the couple’s first child, Princess Caroline (who was born on January 23, 1957). To shield her growing belly from the paparazzi cameras, Kelly discreetly concealed herself behind her trusty Sac à Dépêches prompting stylish women worldwide to flock to Hermès boutiques in search of the coveted “Grace Kelly bag.”
Sales of the Sac à Dépêches skyrocketed. However, it wasn’t until 1977 that Hermès, acknowledging the inevitable, officially changed the name of the Sac à Dépêches to the “Kelly bag” in her honor.
The Hermes Kelly bag is characterized by its structured and elegant shape, top handle, and a distinctive closure system that includes a strap and a lock. It exudes the same timeless charm and sophistication that Grace Kelly herself embodied.
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Legacy of the Kelly Bag
The Kelly bag has become a symbol of classic style and refinement. It is available in various sizes, colors, and materials to suit different preferences and occasions. Owning a Kelly bag is considered a statement of elegance and prestige, much like its namesake, Grace Kelly.
The bag’s association with Grace Kelly continues to influence fashion and is a reminder of the enduring appeal of classic, well-crafted accessories. Decades after its introduction, the Hermes Kelly bag remains highly sought after by collectors and fashion enthusiasts, a testament to its timeless beauty and the legacy of a Hollywood icon turned princess.
Further Reading
Hermès: Straight from the Horse’s Mouth, Hardcover, 2022 by Luc Charbin
The Little Book of Hermès: The Story of the Iconic Fashion House (Little Books of Fashion, 14) Hardcover, 2022, by Karen Homer
Grace Kelly: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon, Hardcover, 2023, by Megan Hess
Grace of Monaco: Princess in Dior, Hardcover, 2019 by Prince Albert II of Monaco (Foreword), Bernard Arnault
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