Hermès

Hermès Nata Swift and Osier Wicker Picnic Kelly 35 Palladium Hardware, 2022

• The interior is lined in a Nata swift leather 
• Includes lock, two keys, clochette, clochette dust bag, ribbon, care booklet, raincoat, felt protector, dust bag, and box
• Dimensions: 24 h x 35 w x 13 d cm

The Hermès Life Sportif has always been central to the brand’s identity, and the ultimate activity of leisure and luxury is picnicking. Crafted from Osier Wicker and Swift leather, the Kelly Picnic requires two top-level craftspeople to create: a master saddler for the leather, and an expert basket weaver for the body, which reportedly takes around 10 hours to craft. 

Osier wicker items such as trays, thermoses and bottle holders have been produced in limited quantities for decades, though Jean-Paul Gaultier’s introduction of the Picnic Kelly in 2011 forever changed the identity of this eternally summery material. The Kelly Picnic 35, which walked the runway and hit stores that same year, was unique for its stark departure from practicality. 

Special examples of the Hermès Picnic Kelly were produced in following years for boutique openings with unique colored Swift leather instead of the classic Fauve Barenia, and the Kelly Picnic design was re-issued for a brief stint in 2017. This preceded the release of the Picnic Mini Kelly which first appeared in the Resort 2019 runway show. Now sparingly produced again in the original size 35, this bag is the first such example to come to auction.