Everything You Need to Know About the Hermès Kelly Doll
Learn more about the Iconic and Collectible Hermès Kelly Doll
History of the Hermès Kelly Doll
Adored by collectors around the world, the Hermès Kelly Doll or Quelle Idole bag was conceived in whimsy. First released in 2000 and designed by Jean-Louis Dumas, these pint-sized buddy bags originally retailed for around $2,500. Hermès Kelly Dolls were produced in eight different color-ways during their first run: Orange H, Rouge H, Black, Noisette, Blue Saphir, Vert Olive, Vert Cru, and Rouge Vif. Orange H is the most common color, with over 20% of Kelly Dolls sold at auction sporting the House shade. Black is the second most common, comprising almost 20% of the market. Through 2004 these bags could be found at Hermes boutiques and on the secondary market for not much more than retail, though after their discontinuation in 2005 collectors began to consider them in a different light.
Hermès Kelly Doll 2nd Edition 2008-2010
In 2008, Hermès began producing limited runs of the Hermès Kelly Doll again, mostly to mark the opening of new boutiques around the world. Through 2010 a number of new colors came out of the Pantin ateliers including Blue Jean, and Vermillion, but most notably 5P pink, which was selected for the 2010 opening of the Sogo boutique in Hong Kong. After 2010 the Hermès Kelly Doll was retired again, which truly spurred collectors to pay attention whenever they came to the secondary market.
Hermès Kelly Doll: HSS Exquisite
In 2015 Hermès debuted a set of five exquisite Quelle Idole bags at the Leather Forever exhibition in Singapore. These unique Hermès Kelly Dolls, which featured embroidery, beading, exotic skins and other unique elements, went viral online among Hermès collectors and were later auctioned for charity. The excitement from this event stuck with collectors for years, and in 2017 the first HSS Hermès Kelly Dolls began to emerge from Hermès’ workshops. A new age of Quelle Idole had begun, one marked by the added whimsy of selecting your own colors and materials. Since then numerous examples have come on to the secondary market in myriad combinations. The rarest and most sought-after examples are rendered in Matte Alligator. Hermès keeps the production of these bags extremely limited. It is unknown if ever we will see examples in shiny alligator, ostrich, lizard, or perhaps even suede. Recent examples have been spotted in a limited edition Blue Zellige that, like early runs, has no Horse Shoe Stamp, as well as new ‘Touch’ Kelly Dolls that feature shiny alligator hands, feet, eyebrows and smile against a Swift leather body.
Hermès Kelly Doll Alligator
The Hermès Kelly Doll in Matte Alligator is one of the most sought after Hermès bags by collectors. Sotheby;s has only sold three Alligator Kelly Dolls at Auction with prices range from $76,000 to to over $100,000. The most expensive Kelly Doll sold at Sotheby's was Malachite Matte Alligator and it sold for 825,500 HKD in 2023. Hermès collectors consider an Alligator Kelly Doll among the rarest and most desirable along with the Birkin Faubourg, a Himalayan bag, the Kelly Wood or Kelly Feather.
Hermès Kelly Doll Picto
Hermès introduced the newest Kelly Doll as part of its Spring/Summer 2022 collection. The new Hermès Kelly Doll Picto is a completely redesigned and re-imagined take on the Hermès Kelly Doll. The new design comes with a shoulder strap and has a pixel art style complete with a little backpack. The new Hermès Kelly Doll comes in Epsom leather in multiple colors include Mauve Sylvestre, Nata, Vert Fizz, Bleu Royal and Bleu Saphir with more colors expected. The Kelly Doll Picto retailed for $17,600 in 2024 but the price could increase in 2025.
Hermès Kelly Doll Charm
Hermès also makes a tiny Hermès Kelly Doll bag charm. Only about 6.5cm across, these leather charms are designed to adorn a bag, though fully function as their full-sized counterparts. These bag charms generally sell for around $6,000 to $7,000 on the secondary market and are available in a range of colors.
Hermès Kelly Doll Price
Appearing at auction with some regularity, the Hermès Kelly Doll has been an iconic presence on the market for over a decade now. Prior to 2015 only 1st edition Hermès Kelly Dolls had sold at auction and none topped $20,000. Today, over 50% of Hermès Kelly Dolls sold at auction have been from their first production run, with less than 20% coming from the 2008-2010 group which have averaged almost $45,000 since their first appearance at auction in 2015. These Kelly Dolls made for boutique openings have always been valued higher than the original versions, though in 2020 the auction average for the originals jumped 28% over the year prior to almost $30,000, and in 2021 the average jumped another 29% to over $41,000. Leather Kelly Dolls peaked in 2021 at nearly $80,000. More recently leather Kelly Doll bags have been selling for around $40,000 to $50,000. The newest Kelly Doll Picto has sold for as high as $74,000 in 2023 but prices have settled closer to $50,000 to $60,000. As new colors of the Kelly Doll Picto are produced by Hermès, we anticipate an initial price peak that can exceed $60,000 and then as the color becomes more readily available, prices tend to come down quickly.
Buying and Selling a Kelly Bag at Sotheby's
Sotheby's always has a curated selection of Hermès Kelly bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès Kelly bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Kelly bags including the popular Kelly doll in pristine and excellent condition. Sotheby's sells Kelly bags in the newest colors and classic neutrals in leather and exotic materials along with collectible Limited Edition Kelly bags. Prices for Kelly bags in pristine condition generally start around $20,000 and can exceed $100,000 for Himalaya and Diamond Mini Kelly bags.
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