The Hermès Kelly Is Reimagined As A Playful Jewellery Collection
An iconic bag Inspires sparkling ideas.
With its trapezoidal form, rounded handle, two side straps, swivel clasp, padlock and key-holder, the Hermès Kelly bag has been an icon for decades. Designed by Robert Dumas in the 1930s, it became one of the world’s most sought-after leather accessories after actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly was photographed carrying it on various occasions in 1956.
Now, the Kelly has inspired a whimsical collection within another métier of the house. Pierre Hardy, Hermès creative director of jewellery, has designed the Kellymorphose collection of bold, playful pieces that riff on the bag’s signature elements. Launched last Fall, the travelling exhibition arrived at the brand’s flagship store at Liat Towers last month.
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Photo: Maud Remy-Lonvis/Hermès
A defining motif of the line, the Kelly clasp adds a unique touch to items such as rings, a choker and bracelets made from white gold and diamonds, or rose gold and black spinels. The bag’s padlock and key, on the other hand, appear in whimsical pieces such as double rings and earrings.
The Kelly Gavroche necklace, inspired by the bag’s horizontal strap and the luxury house’s beloved scarves, is one of our favourites. Almost like a sparkling scarf, this diamond-studded, white gold necklace appears to be loosely knotted at the front.
And, if carrying one Kelly leather bag isn’t enough, the Sac Bijou Kelly is an amazingly detailed, sized-down, functional version made of rose gold and sapphires, or silver. Even though storage space is hardly the point here, we love that it can actually hold a couple of lipsticks. Bonus.
Related article: What To Expect At The Hermès Kellymorphose Exhibition In Singapore