Kelly 25

The Kelly 25 is Hermès in its purest form — the smaller, more architectural cousin of the Birkin. Named after Grace Kelly and introduced in the 1930s (predating the Birkin by five decades), the Kelly is built on a rigid frame with a single handle and a longer flap that folds forward and is secured with two straps and a turnlock closure.

The Kelly 25 comes in two constructions: sellier (rigid, sharp-edged, with visible outer stitching) and retourné (softer, rolled edges, more relaxed silhouette). Both need internal support in storage, but sellier is especially unforgiving — every dent or corner impact shows immediately and permanently.