Complete Guide to the Hermès Himalayan
Learn everything you need to know about the Himlayan Birkin, Hermès Himalayan Kelly and more.
History of the Hermès Himalayan
While Hermès has introduced more limited edition bags in recent seasons, the most sought after bag remains the Hermès Himalayan. The Hermès Himalaya is named after the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains. Every Hermès Himalayan is only offered in a matte finish and is hand buffed with felt wool. This process creates a unique gradation that results in a truly one of a kind Hermès bag. While the Hermès Himalayan regularly leads the charts for most expensive Hermès bag, the bag's matte finish and stippled gray degradé mask most common signs of use.
The Hermès Himalayan takes its inspiration from early crocodile and alligator bags that, if not dyed black or brown, would be lightened to highlight the skin's natural coloring. This natural ombré went out of style as dyeing techniques improved, creating more and more possibilities for colorful exotic Hermès bags. In the early 1990’s, Hermès began developing a new shiny ombré crocodile that would become known as Natura Vert Celadon. This bag is the first link in the Hermès Himalayan chain.
The earliest known Hermès Celadon Himalayas were produced in 1994, with the final examples leaving Hermès’ ateliers in 2008. These shiny pale green ombré alligator Hermès bags are incredibly rare on the secondary market. The first example to appear at Sotheby's is available in the Paris 2024 sale. The Natura Vert Celadon Kelly 32 from 1995 has an estimate of 22,000 to 30,000 Euro and is in very good vintage condition. This rare Kelly bag is the ultimate for the Hermès collector that wants to own the bag that inspired the modern Hermès Himalayan.
The Himalyan Birkin: The Original Hermès Himalyan
In 2008 a new Hermès Himalayan would emerge, the Himalaya Birkin 30. The new iteration was a bold iteration of the Natura Vert Celadon, now in a sophisticated matte finish. Initially the Himalayan Birkins were kept secret and only sold to top collectors. This new bag was only known to the most dedicated Hermès collectors and VVIPs until 2010. Jean-Paul Gaultier launched the Himalayan Birkin as the ultimate must have Hermès bag when he sent it down the Hermès’ spring 2010 runway. The Himalayan Birkin 30 and Birkin 35 have been spotted dating back to 2008 and 2009 respectively. The smallest Himalaya Bikin 25 wasn't released until 2012 but in recent years has become the most popular with collectors.
Hermès Himalyan Kelly and More
The Hermès Himalayan Kelly was released in 2013 in Kelly 25, Kelly 28 and Kelly 32 sizes. The Hermès Himalaya Kelly 35 has only been seen since 2020 but very rare on the secondary market. In 2016, more Hermès Himalayan bags were introduced including the Hermès Himalayan Plume bag. Additionally top Hermès clients were also allowed to special-order Hermès Himalayan bags including the Lindy, Constance and Kelly Pochette, Danse and Ado. Sotheby's has sold a few Hermès Himalayan Plume bags and an Hermès Himalayan Constance 24 for almost $100,000 in April 2024. This was the first Hermès Himalayan Constance sold at Sotheby's. Sotheby's has also sold other Hermès Himalayan pieces including a Hermès Himalaya diamond bracelet, Hermès Himalayan sandals and even a Mini Hermès Himalayan Saddle Statue.
Most Popular Hermès Himalayan
The most popular Hermès Himalayan bags are the Himalaya Birkin and the Hermès Himalyan Kelly. Not surprisingly the smallest Himalaya Birkin 25 and the smallest Hermès Himalyan Kelly 25 are the most sought after by collectors since these are also the most popular Birkin and Kelly sizes. The Himalaya Birkin 30 and Kelly 28 are the next post popular size while the Himalaya Birkin 35 and Kelly 32 are the least popular sizes. Prices are also generally aligned with the most popular smallest sizes selling for the highest price while the largest Hermès Himalyan bags sell for the least, assuming the condition is pristine. Most of the Hermès Himalyan bags sold on the secondary market are in pristine condition with the box and plastic protecting the hardware. The Hermès Himalyan color can range from very light grey/bownish color ombré edges to dark grey/brown. Color is a personal preference but many collectors prefer the more dramatic color contrast. The white center of the bag can also vary from a slight yellowish to stark white. Over time, the white center of an Hermès Himalyan bag can yellow with age.
The Himalayan Birkin 30 is by far the most common Hermès Himalaya bag on the secondary market and the most versatile. Simultaneously big enough for regular use, yet petite enough for evening. It is the perfect fit for many collectors, and the perfect start to a Hermès Himalaya collection. Nearly 40% of all Hermès Himalayan bags at auction are Birkin 30.
Diamond Himalayan Birkin
The Diamond Himalaya Birkin is the ultimate upgrade to the most desirable and collectible Hermès bag. Hermès only uses VVS clarity and F color diamonds on their bags and 18K white gold hardware. Pavé diamonds are inlayed on the plaqué, pontet, and touret. Pavé diamonds are also inlayed on the padlock. The Diamond Himalaya Birkin has over 10 carats of total diamonds. The Hermès Himalayan Kelly is also made with diamonds and 18K white gold hardware. The Diamond Hermès Himalayan retails for around $250,000 at the Hermès boutique. Prices for the Diamond Hermès Himalaya have been more volatile in the secondary market compared to the Hermès Himalaya without diamonds. Diamond Hermès Himalaya prices peaked between 2020 and 2022. A Diamond Hermès Himalaya Birkin 30 sold for $450,000 in 2022, but in 2024 the same sized diamond Birkin sold for $250,000. Prices for Diamond Himalaya Birkins appear to have settled at around the original retail price with a premium expected for the Diamond Himalaya Birkin 25.
Himalayan Birkin Price
The boutique price for the Hermès Himalayan Birkin 25 is between $45,000 and $65,000 at Hermès depending on the country. Larger Hermès Himalayan bags retail for higher. On the secondary market the smaller Hermès Himalayan Birkin 25 sells for more than the Himalayan Birkin 30 or Himalayan Birkin 35. Additionally Birkins in pristine bags with current date stamps are the most desirable and sell for higher than older date stamp bags that have some signs of wear. Secondary market prices for Himalayan Birkin remain at a significant premium to retail but prices are off from a peak reached in 2020 to 2021. In December 2020, an Hermès Himalayan Birkin 25 sold for $320,000, but in 2024 a similar bag sold for $180,000. In July 2021, Sotheby's sold a Hermès Himalayan Birkin 30 from 2016 for 1,764,000 HKD or over $220,000, but in 2024 a similar bag sold for about $115,000. Since both of these bags were older, a newer Hermès Himalayan Birkin 30 is likely to sell between $150,000 to $200,000. We anticipate a Hermès Himalayan Birkin 25 will continue to sell at a premium to the Himalayan Birkin 30. In 2017, the average price for Hermès Himalayan bags was just over $106,000, so prices remain above this level for most pristine Hermès Himalaya Birkins but off the peaks reached a few years ago.
Himalayan Kelly Price
Price trends for the Hermès Himalayan Kelly are similar to the Himalaya Birkin. Peek prices were realized in 2022 and early 2023. Sotheby's sold a Diamond Hermès Himalaya Kelly 28 for over $500,000 in 2020, but in 2024 a similar bag sold for about $230,000. An Hermès Himalaya Kelly 25 sold for over $380,000 in 2022 versus just $140,000 in September 2023. A Diamond Hermès Himalaya Kelly 25 in 2024 sold for $330,000, less than the non Diamond version in 2022. While prices for Hermès Himalaya Kelly are off the highs reached a few years ago, the bags without diamonds are still selling for a premium relative to retail and the Diamond Hermès Himalaya Kelly 25 is also still selling at a premium to retail in 2024.
Buying and Selling an Hermès Himalayan at Sotheby's
Sotheby's has sold nearly $9 million worth of Hermès Himalayan bags since 2018 and can assist with buying or selling a Hermès Himalayan. Sotheby's handbag auctions often feature rare Hermès Himalayan bags including Himalaya Birkin and Kelly bags. We also often have a small selection of Hermès Himalayan, available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's is also able to source an Hermès Himalayan from our global network of sellers. Contact a salon associate if you would like us to source an Hermès Himalayan or would like to view a bag in person. We accept Hermès Himalayan bags for consignment at auction and marketplace. The price for an Hermès Himalayan Birkin starts at around $100,000 for an older bag that is in excellent condition, while a Diamond Hermès Himalayan can sell for over $300,000.
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