The Kelly bag is one of the most recognizable and coveted accessories in the world. Created by Robert Dumas in the 1930s, it became a symbol of elegance and style after Grace Kelly, the actress and princess of Monaco, famously used it to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi in 1956. Since then, the Kelly bag has been a staple of Herme's leather goods, with its distinctive trapezoidal shape, rounded handle, side straps, swivel clasp, padlock and key-holder.
Now, the Kelly bag has inspired a new jewellery collection by Hermes, designed by Pierry Hardy, the creative director of jewellery. The collection, named Kellymorphose, is a playful and whimsical reinterpretation of the bag's signature elements, transformed into sparkling pieces of white gold, diamonds, rose gold and black spinels.
The collection features several motifs that reference the Kelly bag, such as:
The Kelly clasp, which adorns rings, a choker and bracelets in different variations. The clasp is either fully paved with diamonds or spinels, or partially paved with a contrasting metal band. The clasp also serves as a functional closure for some of the pieces, adding a touch of practically to the jewellery.
The padlock and key-holde, which appear as double rings and earrings. The padlock is either set with diamonds or spinels, or engraved with the Hermes logo. The key-holder is either a simple loop or a twisted knot. The pieces can be worn separately or together, creating different combinations and looks.
The horizontal strap, which inspired the Kelly Gavroche necklace. This necklace is made of white gold and diamonds, and features a loose knot at the front that resembles a scarf. The knot can be adjusted to change the length and shape of the necklace, offering versatility and elegance.
The Sac Bijou Kelly, which is a miniature version of the Kelly bag made of rose gold and sapphires, or silver. The piece is not only a jewellery item, but also a functional bag that can hold small objects such as lipsticks. The bag has all the details of the original Kelly bag, including the handle, the side straps, the clasp, the padlock and the key-holder.
The Kellymorphose collection is a tribute to the iconic Kelly bag, but also a demonstration of Hermes's creativity and craftsmanship in jewellery making. The collection showcases how a classic design can be reimagined and reinvented in new ways, while still retaining its essence and charm.
