PHOTO COURTESY OF HERMÈS
Hermès’ Herbag holds a unique position in the world of handbags. Often referred to as the casual, more relaxed sibling to the Kelly, another plus is its (relatively) accessible price point. With its distinctive design, lightweight canvas body and leather flap, it is a firm favourite amongst those who prefer a less formal yet undeniably chic style.
And now, Hermès is shaking things up even further by introducing an adorable new mini size.
01 - First introduced in the 1980s, the Herbag takes inspiration from Hermès’ iconic Kelly bag. Its trapezoidal shape and sporty canvas body eventually became a casual alternative to Hermès’ leather bag offerings.
02 - While previously discontinued for a period of time, the style eventually made its triumphant return. After several revisions, it became the Herbag Zip, complete with an extra zipper back pocket and removable zip pouch. For simplicity, the rest of the post refers to it as the Herbag.
03 - Hermès’ equestrian heritage is evident in the Herbag’s design. It incorporates saddle-inspired straps and a Vache Hunter leather upper, which boasts a stiff, structured and smooth finish. The signature Clou de Selle motif also features prominently on the central hardware mechanism and sides of the upper.
04 - The canvas body comes in various finishes, ranging from H Berline to Militaire and Viking Quadrille. These depend on the specific design releases for each season. Not only is the canvas lightweight, but it’s also durable and water-resistant for daily use.
05 - You can wear the Herbag either as a shoulder or crossbody style, or tote it via the single top handle. There are exceptions, of course, such as the vintage Herbag Backpack which is no longer in production. The newly launched Herbag Mini also switches out the top handle for a long shoulder strap.
06 - Dubbed the two-in-one bag, much of its allure lies in its interchangeability. You can separate the canvas body from the Vache Hunter leather upper, so you can easily switch it up. For example, you could match a brown leather upper with a black canvas body from other bags in your collection.
07 - Available in various sizes, the Herbag comes in a new mini format, 31, 39 and even messengers for men. There’s also the Cabine and Weekend styles that are larger carryalls ideal for quick getaways.
08 - Despite its sleek exterior, the interior is surprisingly roomy. It’s also styled in the bulbous Retourne silhouette, but creative individuals can also opt to flip the canvas inside out. That results in pointed corners, reminiscent of vintage iterations of the Sellier.
09 - With prices considered entry-level for Hermès when it comes to the Herbag, it is a popular choice with those seeking their first bag from the French maison. And it not being classed as a quota bag also makes it an easier bag to obtain.
10 - Prices start at SGD4500 for the new Herbag Mini, going upwards for larger sizes, of course. No, Hermès does not sell the canvas body separately, so if you intend to play with its look, you will have to get your hands on multiple Herbags.
