There are colours, and then there’s Hermès orange — a colour so iconic it’s practically a synonym for luxury.
Love it or not, you can’t ignore it. It’s on the bags, the scarves, the chic little boxes that make hearts race.
Whether you’re untying the ribbon on a sleek Hermès orange box, spotting an elegant Hermès Birkin in orange on the arm of a celebrity, or admiring an Hermès Kelly in orange in a boutique, you know this colour means one thing: luxury at its finest.
But how did a colour once considered an afterthought become a status symbol?
Grab a cappuccino (or maybe an Aperol Spritz — because, you know, orange), and let’s unravel the fashion legacy of Hermès orange.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t always meant to be this way.
The Origin of Hermès Orange: A Happy Accident?
Would you believe that the most iconic colour in luxury was born out of wartime necessity?
Let’s rewind to the 1920s. At the time, Hermès' packaging was a soft, creamy beige, designed to resemble pigskin leather with a gold foil logo and edging — very traditional, very refined.
By the mid-1930s, the brand made a small change, switching to marigold yellow packaging with dark chocolate brown trim. It was still understated, still classic.
Then World War II happened.
How Wartime Shortages Created an Icon
By 1942, Nazi-occupied France was facing severe shortages — silk, steel, sugar… and even packaging materials.
Hermès could no longer source its usual beige and marigold dyes. The only colour available?
Bright, unapologetic orange.
With no other choice, Hermès embraced the change. The brand started using vivid orange cardboard for its boxes, wrapping its luxury goods in a colour no other high-end house had ever dared to use.
At first, it was a necessity. But soon, something surprising happened:
The orange stood out. In a sea of muted, conservative luxury packaging, Hermès orange was bold, exciting, and instantly recognisable.
And as it turned out, customers loved it. Instead of feeling like a compromise, the colour became an unmistakable signature — modern, striking, and effortlessly chic.
By 1949, the dark chocolate Bolduc ribbon was added to seal the boxes, adding the final touch of refinement.
Fast forward to today?
The Hermès orange colour code (often identified as Pantone 1448) is trademarked so that no other brand can replicate its exact shade. Hermès now also produces over 188 different sizes of orange boxes, ranging from the tiniest ones for Twilly scarves to massive ones for Birkin 40s.
The Psychology of Hermès Orange: Why Does It Feel So Luxurious?
Ever wondered why Hermès orange just feels expensive? It’s not just about association — there’s actual psychology behind it.
1. Orange = Confidence
Orange is a colour of joy, adventure, and boldness. It blends the passion of red with the warmth of yellow, creating an energising, luxurious effect.
It’s also surprisingly rare in high fashion, making it instantly stand out. While other luxury brands stick to safe, traditional colours — black, navy, beige — Hermès owns orange.
2. In Some Cultures, Orange is Royalty
In some parts of Europe, orange has long symbolised wealth and power. In Asia, it’s associated with prosperity and good fortune.
And in colour psychology?
It represents confidence, optimism, and self-assurance.
From Boxes to Bags: Hermès Orange Takes Over Fashion
At first, Hermès orange was just the colour of their packaging.
But over time, it started showing up in their actual products, and that’s when things got really interesting.
Today, orange is a collector’s favourite. From handbags to scarves, this colour has solidified itself as a must-have in the world of high fashion.
The Birkin Bag: A Masterpiece in Orange
The Hermès Birkin bag in orange is arguably one of the most powerful accessories a woman can own.
Imagine walking into a room with a perfectly structured Hermès Birkin in orange swinging from your arm. Heads turn. Eyes widen.
Whether in Togo leather for a soft, slouchy vibe or Epsom leather for a crisp, structured look, an orange Birkin is a statement piece with an attitude.
The Kelly Bag: Classic Elegance, Now in Orange
The Hermès Kelly orange is another stunner. Originally designed in the 1930s but made legendary by Princess Grace Kelly, this structured beauty is the epitome of elegance.
Can we all agree that an orange Kelly is a conversation starter?
The Evelyne: Casual Chic with a Pop of Colour
For those who love a sportier look, the Hermès Evelyne in orange is the ultimate off-duty luxury bag. With its signature perforated “H” logo and comfortable crossbody strap, it’s the kind of piece that makes even a casual outfit feel high-fashion.
The Unboxing Phenomenon: Why That Hermès Orange Box is Almost as Exciting as What’s Inside
If you know, you know.
The moment you spot that Hermès orange box, something happens.
Your heart races a little, and your hands tingle in anticipation. You run your fingers over the perfectly structured edges, the matte finish of the iconic orange, and the chocolate-brown Hermès ribbon tied in a signature bow.
You know that inside is something extraordinary, but before you even touch the contents, you’re already experiencing luxury at its finest.
That’s all because Hermès sells moments.
The Art of the Unboxing
Unboxing a Hermès orange bag is a ritual. Carefully untying the ribbon, peeling back the crisp, delicate tissue paper, and revealing the dust bag within…it’s almost ceremonial.
It’s why social media is flooded with Hermès unboxing videos, and why even the most seasoned luxury collectors still feel that rush every time they lift the lid on a brand-new piece.
Collectors Obsess Over the Box — Yes, Just the Box!
Here’s how much Hermès orange means to people: some collectors literally buy and sell just the empty boxes.
You read that right.
The Hermès orange box is a status symbol in itself. People use them as closet decor pieces, stack them as luxury home accents, or even frame them as art. Some buyers insist on keeping the original box as part of their investment, and in the resale market, a bag with its original Hermès packaging can fetch significantly higher prices.
Why Owning a Hermès Orange Piece is an Investment
Let’s talk about money.
Most designer handbags follow a predictable financial pattern: you buy it, you love it, you wear it… and eventually, it depreciates.
Hermès? They don’t play that game.
The Investment Power of Hermès Orange Bags
If you’re lucky enough to score a Hermès Birkin in orange, you’re acquiring a financial asset.
Here’s why:
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Hermès bags consistently increase in value, often outperforming gold, stocks, and real estate.
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Orange is one of the brand’s most iconic and sought-after colours, meaning limited production and higher demand in the resale market.
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Rarity drives prices up. Certain shades of Hermès orange (like Poppy, Feu, or Capucine) are produced in limited runs, making them even more desirable to collectors.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s put this into perspective:
In 1984, a brand-new Hermès Birkin cost $2,000. Fast-forward to today, and prices begin at $10,000 and climb into six figures, especially for rare colours like Hermès Birkin orange.
An Hermès Birkin 30 in Togo leather (Orange Feu) that originally retailed for $11,000 is now being resold for over $20,000, that’s nearly double its original price.
In 2016, a Hermès Birkin in Shiny Orange Crocodile with Diamond Hardware sold at auction for $185,000.
Yes, you read that right.
From a Wartime Shortage to a Timeless Status Symbol
It’s almost poetic, isn’t it?
A random wartime shortage, a simple packaging dilemma, and a decision made out of necessity ended up creating one of the most recognisable symbols of luxury in the world. What started as an unintentional shift in branding became something far greater than just a colour.
Hermès orange is a reminder that true luxury is about embracing the unexpected, standing out, and rewriting the rules. Decades later, this striking shade still commands attention.
At Love Luxury, we celebrate the timelessness of true luxury, offering a carefully curated selection of preloved Hermès bags, including the iconic Birkin, Kelly, and Evelyne in their signature orange hues and more!
Ready to make Hermès orange your own? Explore our preloved Hermès collection and find your next luxury treasure today!
