Hermes Constance Bag 18 Rose Extreme Matte Alligator Palladium Hardware
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Design:Constance BagConstance Collection
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 18 cm (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU58817415312
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Miami, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Hermes Constance 18 Desert Lizard Bag Palladium HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Constance 18 bag featured limited edition Desert Lizard. Exquisite markings with fresh Palladium hardware. HERMES PARIS MADE IN FRANCE is stamped on front under flap. Comes with Hermes sleeper and signature box. NEW or NEVER WORN. The Hermes Constance bag price maintains its value as its among one of the most desired and difficult Hermes bags...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Evelyne TPM Blue Feutre Black Swift Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Evelyne TPM featured in Blue Feutre (felt) with Gold hardware. Trimmed in Black Swift leather. Signature perforated H on front of bag. Fabulous shoulder...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermes Constance Bag Rose Lipstick Pink Mini III Veau TadelaktBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Constance 18 bag featured in Rose Lipstick. This chic Hermes Mini III pink Constance bag is exquisite in utterly smooth Veau...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermes Constance Marble Silk 18 Limited Edition Bag Palladium HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a limited edition Hermes Constance 24 spectacular Marble Silk bag. Accentuated with Rose Extreme Swift leather. This rare technique creates exquisite colours in this intricate design. A Japanese silk marbling technique...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Evelyne III TPM Blue Sapphire Bag with Blue Indigo Strap Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Evelyne TPM featured in jewel toned Bleu Saphir. Dark, rich Bleu Indigo strap. Clemence leather is soft and scratch resistant. Signature perforated H on f...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermes Evelyne TPM Etain Bag Gold Hardware Clemence LeatherBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Evelyne TPM Etain bag easily worn as a shoulder or crossbody. Clemence leather is soft and scratch resistant. Sign...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- HERMES black Liegee leather BOLIDE 35 BagBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermes 'Bolid 35' in black Vache Liegee (grained leather) with palladium hardware. Opens with zipper on top. Lined in black lambskin with one open pocket against the b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- CHANEL Old Medium Chevron Boy Bag in Black Lambskin/Tweed Silver Hardware 2017By ChanelLocated in Huddersfield, GBCHANEL Old Medium Chevron Boy Bag in Black Lambskin/Tweed with Shiny Silver Hardware 2017 – 17B. This stunning bag is still in good condition, the bag still holds its original shape...Category
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Etro Pegaso Grey/Black Paisley Printed Leather Shoulder Bag w/ Adjustable StrapBy EtroLocated in Paradise Island, BSTake your accessories edit in a bohemian direction with the Pegaso shoulder bag from ETRO. Crafted in Italy from leather, this compact design is doused in one of the label's signatur...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Au Bout Du Monde Exotic Blue Constance 24 Special EditionBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Hermès Blue Au Bout Du Monde Constance 24 is in pristine unworn condition. A special edition, this rare Constance is created with a com...Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- 1970s Pierre Cardin Brown Ultra Suede Snakeskin Logo 70s Bag Clutch CrossbodyBy Pierre Cardin, Pierre Cardin ParisLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing early 1970s PIERRE CARDIN brown ultra suede and snakeskin large bag, clutch or crossbody ! Hinge closure secures everything. Attached gold chain can be tucked in the bag to w...Category
1970s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Classic Flap Graffiti Boy Art School Oh My Khaki Canvas Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Art School Oh My Boy Flap Bag Graffiti Canvas is the ultimate street-style chic perfect for the modern fashionista. Crafted from b...Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.