Hermes Haute a Courroies - The Handbag That Inspired it All

Last week, we received two amazing iconic handbags by Hermes called the Haute a Courroies or HAC.



   Hermes HAC in Tan & Orange. Available Only at OnQueStyle.

 

 It wasn't until I did a little research that I found the history of the handbags are also amazing and inspired the Kelly and Birkin handbags. Here's a little history on Hermes:

The Hermès Luxury brand has been in continuous existence since 1837, when they were primarily a saddlery or sellier. In 1892, Émile-Maurice Hermès, grandson of the founder Thierry, introduced the Haut à Courroies or HAC for short, which translates loosely as "High Belts", referring to the belt straps that are used to close the bag. Over the years the HAC has been produced in various sizes from 40cm - 60cm and is primarily used as a travel bag. Famously, Humphrey Bogart carried one that is on view at the Hermès Museum.

In the 1930s, inspired by the new desire for ladies handbags, Hermès introduced the "Petit Sac Haut à Courroies", which was a smaller, single handled bag, which retained the closing straps of the original HAC. This bag became popular in the 1950's when Grace Kelly started to carry it and was famously snapped by a paparazzo, while she tried to hide her pregnancy behind a large black crocodile version.  A short time later, this bag was renamed the "Kelly", in her honor.

Grace Kelly wearing the Crocodile Hermes Birkin

In 1984, when famous French songbird, Jane Birkin found herself seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, then President of Hermès, she took the opportunity to express the lack of a great leather travel bag for women--she pointed to the straw tote she had resorted to using.  Dumas returned to the workshop and  modified the HAC to Ms. Birkin's comments, making it both smaller and shorter, but with longer handles, enabling it to be carried in the crook of the arm. The end result was delivered to Jane Birkin, creating the first "Birkin". Every year she receives a new one as a gift from Hermès and donates her old bag to a charity auction.

Jane Birkin with the Hermes Birkin she donated on eBay for The Red Cross for Japan

It's easy to see how the the success of Hermès Kelly and Birkin bag can be traced back to the original and iconic HAC.  Buy the handbag that inspired it available at OnQueStyle ~ for more information, please contact us at 949.717.7795 or info@onquestyle.com.