The Most Sought After Hermès Kelly 25
Learn why collectors can't get enough of the Hermès Kelly 25.
Brief History of the Hermès Kelly Bag
The history of the Hermès Kelly bag is a testament to the evolution of the luxury brand Hermès, with its origins dating back to 1852. The bag's story begins with the creation of the Haut à Courroies (HAC), a design originally intended to carry saddles for equestrians. In the 1930s, the HAC was reimagined as the Sac à Dépêches by Robert Dumas, son-in-law of Hermès CEO Émile Hermès.
The Kelly bag rose to fame in 1955 when actress Grace Kelly, while filming To Catch a Thief, discovered the bag and became inseparable from it. She famously used it to shield her pregnancy from paparazzi, cementing its status as a symbol of elegance and sophistication. In honor of the actress-turned-Princess of Monaco, Hermès officially renamed the bag the “Kelly” in 1977. The Kelly’s original trapezoidal design featured two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, a single handle, and two side straps. Over time, an optional shoulder strap was added, enhancing its functionality. Meticulously handcrafted, each Kelly bag is constructed from 36 pieces of leather and requires 680 stitches, taking a single artisan 18 to 24 hours to complete.
Since its inception, the Kelly bag has evolved into various forms, with the two main styles being the Kelly Retourne and the Kelly Sellier. Its iconic status has inspired an array of Hermès accessories, including the Kelly wallet, belt, watch, clutches, and smaller leather goods. The Hermès Kelly bag remains a timeless icon of luxury and craftsmanship, celebrated for its elegance, exclusivity, and enduring legacy.
While there are many sizes and variations of the Kelly bag, the Hermès Kelly 25 is becoming the most sought after size.
Popularity of Hermès Kelly 25
When it comes to Hermès bags, collectors are paying a premium for smaller bags. The Hermès Kelly 25 is the most sought after Kelly by collectors after the Mini Kelly 20. The Hermès Kelly 25 is more versatile and functional then the Mini Kelly 20 II and remains true to the original Kelly bag with its overall shape, clochette, lock and keys. The Kelly 25 is also a better every day bag that can transition into evening with its roomier interior. The Hermès Kelly 25 balances the growing preference for smaller bags but still practical enough to hold a wallet, phone, beauty essentials and more.
Hermès Kelly 25 Auction Prices
Hermès Kelly 25 bag auction prices have have shifted lower since 2022 with very few leather Kelly 25 bags selling above $30,000. While prices have shifted lower for most Hermès bags since 2022, prices for leather Kelly 25 bags in pristine condition remain at a significant premium to retail. The Kelly 25 bags that sold above $25,000 in 2024 had date stamps from 2021 to 2023 and most were the most popular neural colors including Black, Gold, Etoupe, and Beton. Kelly 25 bags that sold below $15,000 were generally older bags in less popular bright colors. In comparing auction performance for leather Kelly 25 vs Kelly 28, Kelly 25 bags continue to sell at a premium relative to Kelly 28. Most leather Kelly 28 bags sold below $20,000 in 2024 while most leather Kelly 25 bags sold above $20,000.
Most Expensive Leather Hermès Kelly 25
The most expensive leather Hermès Kelly 25 bags are all limited edition styles. The most expensive leather Kelly 25 to sell at auction is the Kelly 25 Midas in Black Box with 18K Yellow Gold Hardware. It sold in 2024 for 1,206,500 HKD or about $157,000. The Midas in the name refers to the Greek mythological figure King Midas, who can turn everything into gold by touching it. Drawing inspiration from the myth, the Kelly 25 Midas design features a unique hardware pairing leather with solid 18K yellow gold weighing 183.18g. It is as if Midas himself had touched the Kelly handle and turned it into gold. The remarkable fusion of leather and gold requires a meticulous assembly ensuring the metal follows the leather to precision.
The next most expensive leather Hermès Kelly 25 was released in 2004 and 2005 in celebration of the Athens Olympics. Hermès Kelly 25 in metallic chèvre leather are highly sought after by collectors. Sotheby's sold a Metallic Hermès Kelly 25 in Metallic Bronze as part of The Visionary Collection of Joseph Lau for 1,016,000 Hong Kong Dollars or just over $132,000. This record breaking price for a leather Hermès Kelly 25 was due to the impressive condition and rarity of this bag.
Finally the Madison 706 Hermès Kelly 25 was created to commemorate the opening of its new flagship store in New York City, at 706 Madison Avenue, in 2022. It sold for 635.500 HKD or about $82,000 in 2024. The Kelly 25 fatures “Hommage a Gene Kelly” pattern designed by visual artist Geoff McFetridge. The striking and colourful graphic pattern portrays dancers in American actor, dancer and choreographer Gene Kelly’s trademark loafers and white socks twirling to energetic steps and the sounds of New Orleans jazz. Made using a leather marquetry technique, which requires precision and skill to cut and assemble the various pieces of leather together to achieve the silhouette of the dancers, the craftsmanship on the Madison 706 Kelly 25 goes above and beyond the extraordinary artisanal skills already needed to craft a Kelly or Birkin.
New Favorite Himalaya: Hermès Kelly 25
While the Hermès Birkin Himalaya was once the most sought after Hermès Himalaya bag by celebrities and collectors, the Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya is increasingly becoming the new favorite. The Hermès Himalaya Kelly was released a year after the Hermès Birkin Himalaya in 2013. There are far fewer Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya bags on the secondary market since historically the Hermès Kelly 28 was the most popular size. While prices in peaked in 2022 with the sale of a Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya for 352,800 Euro, we anticipate the Himalaya Kelly 25 to remain one of the most sought after Hermès Himalaya bags.
Limited Edition Hermès Kelly 25
Recently Hermès has released more limited Kelly 25 bags due to the popularity of the size. Demand for Limited Edition Kelly 25 bags tends to peak when it first reaches the secondary market followed by a gradual decline in prices.
Hermès Kelly 25 In and Out
The Limited Edition Hermès Kelly 25 In and Out was released in the end of 2021. The most expensive Kelly 25 In and Out sold for about $36,00 in April 2022 and sold for $22,860 in March 2024. The Hermès bag provides an x-ray view of what might be in the bag's interior. Hermès products illustrated on the front of the Kelly 25 bag include the classic chaine d’ancre bracelet, a clochette keyholder in an exotic skin, a Hermès Citron Tutti Frutti pochette, and an Hermès lipstick. This Kelly 25 Hermès bag is made of Swift leather with palladium-plated hardware in the serene color Nata. Like the In and Out Birkin, the In and Out Kelly’s orange Hermès box features a navy interior and a dust bag with a navy Hermès logo and drawstrings. This super rare Kelly 25 Hermès is a must have for handbag collectors thanks to its references to Hermès impressive array of leather goods, old and new.
Hermès Kelly 25 Padded
Hermès Kelly 25 Padded was released in 2021and was inspired by vintage car interiors. The Saddle Stitching down the center is its most unique and defining design variation from the traditional Hermès Kelly 25. The bag is made in swift leather and can be purchased with either gold or palladium hardware. The first Kelly 25 Padded sold for over $44,000 in November 2022 but prices for this Limited Edition Kelly 24 has settled closer to $22,000 in 2024.
Hermès Kelly 25 Colormatic
Hermès Kelly 25 Colormatic was released in 2022 and first came to auction in March 2023. The most expensive Kelly 25 Colormatic was the first bag sold at auction in Paris 2023 for about $36,000. Prices for the Kelly 25 Colormatic have settled closed to $24,000 in 2024. The design of the Hermès Kelly 25 Colormatic is consistent with Hermès 2022 collection of color combinations that are meant to be more light and casual. The exterior pocket is a unique and practical design that is perfect for holding cards. The contrasting colors also give the the Kelly 25 Hermès bag appear more sporty.
Hermès Kelly 25 For Sale
Sotheby's has a curated selection of Hermès Kelly 25 bags for immediate purchase. Sotheby's also has a unique selection of Kelly 25 bags available at auction. Kelly bags at Sotheby's are generally priced from $10,000 to $15,000 for older leather Kelly 25 bags with date stamps that are at least 5 plus years ago. Leather Hermès Kelly 25 in pristine condition with a recent date stamp and in a popular neutral or pastel color generally starts around $20,000 and can reach $30,000. A Kelly 25 Himalaya and exotic Diamand Kelly 25 is generally over $100,000.
Advantages to Buying Hermès Kelly Bags on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Kelly bags from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine Kelly bags in the most popular colors, materials and sizes along with rare Himalayan and Limited Edition Kelly bags. Our handbag specialists are always sourcing the more desirable Kelly bags from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Hermès Kelly bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase Kelly bags including auction, online, and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Kelly bag that isn't available at auction or online.
3. Value
While Kelly bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Kelly bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a Kelly Bag at an Hermès boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered a Kelly that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Kelly bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing a Kelly.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury marketplace is discovering unique one of a kind Kelly bag or rare limited edition Kelly bags that are no longer available at Hermès. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of Kelly bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buy and Sell Hermès Kelly Bags at Sotheby's
Sotheby's always has a curated selection of the top Hermès Kelly bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Birkin and Kelly bags in every sale in addition to other popular Hermès bags in pristine condition in the newest colors and classic neutrals. Sotheby's handbag sales include rare and limited edition Hermès bags in exotic materials, custom color combinations and even diamond hardware.
- Browse Hermès Kelly bags available for immediate shipping.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag Specialist about selling an Hermès Kelly bag or submit your item here for valuation.
Trust our worldwide network of leading handbag specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
