The Hermes Kelly Bag: Grace by Name, Grace by Bag

Grace Kelly with Prince Rainier of Monaco with 'that' famous Hermes bag, 1956

Never has anyone been more enchanted by the timeless style and elegance of Grace Kelly than I. Surprisingly from a fairly modest but athletic upper middle class family from Philadelphia, Grace embodied her name through her impressive, if not short lived, Hollywood career before abruptly being swept away to live the life of a Monaco princess until her untimely death in a car accident. However she left behind a legacy of an impressively elegant wardrobe spanning three decades, and unintentionally became an influential fashion icon. Her changing style over the decades I believed always reflected the woman she was: subtly sophisticated, graceful, silently powerful, and always leaving a lasting impression.    




I first became acquainted with Ms Kelly's wardrobe when I visited the Bendigo Art Gallery this past Easter, the exhibition aptly named 'Grace Kelly: Style Icon'. It was a dazzling and diverse array of billowing chiffon hooped skirts from her 1950s movie career to her more official and regal dresses and suits as a Monaco princess, not to mention the impressive accessories, jewellery and headdresses.


But what really captured my fascination was the stylish Hermes Kelly Bag, named after the actress who toted the subsequently much sought after fashion accessory. Ms Kelly at the time used her appropriately sized handbag to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi in 1956 (great ploy to foil the media, Grace; you don't see modern Hollywood being that modest). Identified by its slightly smooth tapering contours, metal tip clasp, and overhanging leather tassel, the Hermes Kelly Bag became a much sought after and valued fashion accessory after being seen consistently hanging off the arm of the future Princess Grace of Monaco. It also was the predecessor to the famous Birkin Bag, inspired by 60s chanteuse Jane Birkin. 


Admittedly after seeing it up front, you can understand its seductive and alluring quality, begging to be held and owned by the style conscious female. An original Hermes creation is estimated to be valued at $18,000-$19,000 with a wait for over a year, if you want it that badly. Or you can get a cheaper replica for about $200-$300 from sources on the internet, or so I've been told.  


Aaah, what must it be like to not only be a stunningly beautiful and glamorous Hollywood actress, win the heart of a European prince AND influence fashion trends.


There is obviously power in the bag. It took all my power not to smash through that glass case and take that bag for myself. 


Check out the more modern incarnations of the Hermes Kelly Bag:

In white

Classic black

Blue crocodile leather with famous Grace Kelly Scarf

For more bags, visit Miss Polly's website www.pollyannaproductmall.com