With over 180 years of history under its belt, the Hermès brand has garnered an extensive and exceptionally loyal fanbase – made up of celebrity fans, investment buyers, and fashionistas keen to get their hands on an authentic Hermès creation.
Pop culture, including movies and the silver screen, celebrity red-carpet appearances, marketing campaigns, and of course A-list collaborations, have all proven crucial in the growth of Hermès as a luxury brand, with this blog sharing some of the most iconic references to Hermès from pop culture.
But, before we get into the heart of celebrities and their love of Hermès, a little more about the brand and what makes it so popular.
Hermès’s History and Status as a Leading Luxury Brand
Hermès may be a luxury brand, but for the team at the heart of the Hermès name and modern creations, the term ‘luxury’ actually undersells what they are all about. For them, the status of the brand lies in the refined quality and the experience that individuals get when they handle and own an authentic Hermès bag.
An Hermès handbag might be expensive and incredibly valuable, but a true appreciation for the brand goes far beyond its financial and monetary value – encompassing, capturing, and appreciating the intricate beauty, the craftsmanship, and the exclusivity of owning a piece of the brand’s heritage and history.
Celebrities love Hermès because it is both highly reputable and incredibly valuable, setting them apart from others, while also underpinning their incredible sense of style. Getting your hands on an authentic Hermès is challenging, with many buyers having to rely on the second-hand market due to the waitlists that surround every new release. The high demand combined with limited supply, the incredibly successful marketing campaigns launched by the company, and the renowned quality of every bag ensure that each Hermès that gets released is welcomed with a great fanfare.
With that said, which bags inspire the most celebrity attention?
Different Hermès Bags and How They Were Inspired by Celebrities
Most people are aware of the connection between Hermès and actress Jane Birkin, with the story making the papers in recent months with the sad passing of Jane Birkin in 2023.
The Birkin bag was created in response to a direct conversation between the actress and then CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas. Birkin explained that she needed a larger bag with sufficient storage space for everything she needed as a young mother, including different sized compartments and pockets, with Dumas taking the brief back to Hermès and delivering the Birkin bag.
Since its release, the Birkin bag has become one of the most iconic, the most coveted, and the most popular bags in the world – with endless seasonal colour palettes, themes, collaborative designs, and creations breathing new life into the collection.
Another bag that was inspired by a celebrity insofar as its name is the Hermès Kelly. This bag was renamed the Kelly after it was used by Grace Kelly herself to conceal a pregnancy bump – and has since enjoyed huge attention among other celebrities and investment buyers alike.
Celebrities Who Love Hermès
Jane Birkin and Grace Kelly are both Hermès fans whose names have become synonymous with the brand, and whose stories will live on in the Hermès handbag collection. But they’re not the only celebrities who have demonstrated commitment to the brand – with the following all pictured out and about with their own Hermès bags regularly.
Victoria Beckham is one of those people who starts and creates new trends without even trying. Her colour matching between outfits and accessories is often something to look out for, with her name often appearing at the top of the styling ‘ones to watch’ lists.
Another name for the list is Kim Kardashian. The reality TV star is often pictured around the world, and surrounds herself with celebrity connections from all industries and walks of life – however, one thing that never changes is her approach to timeless style. Most of her Hermès bags are selected to suit or compliment her outfits with incredible ease.
Kylie Jenner is, like her sister, a huge fan of the Hermès brand. Her collection is one of the most impressive and the most famous in the world, as it is not only vast and incredibly diverse in terms of colour and finish, but also includes some of the rarest materials and models available.
And then, we have a socialite who has found fame from becoming an influencer, and who boasts what is being referred to as the largest collection of Hermès bags in the world. Jamie Chua from Singapore boasts a collection that includes the Himalaya Diamond Birkin – a bag that is famous for its elusive exclusivity.
For those looking to sell their bag, this kind of publicity and celebrity endorsement makes any Hermès an excellent product to bring to market.
Other References to Hermès in Pop Culture
It’s at this final stage of the article that we can share some other examples of Hermès as seen in pop culture – namely in movies and television shows, which include Sex and the City and The Proposal.
When a bag is referenced, particularly in a TV show that is as closely linked to style and fashion as Sex and the City is, the interest in and demand for that bag grows exponentially. This is not exclusive to the luxury handbag market – it is a trend that is also seen in fashion and other industries, though for the purpose of this article, we’re focussing on bags.
In SATC, it’s Samantha who refers to her bag as “not a bag, it’s a Birkin” – signifying to style lovers everywhere that a Birkin bag is indeed more than just an accessory. References like these, and the fact that so many celebrities are regularly seen carrying Hermès bags, mean that this is a brand unlikely to lose any attention.
If anything, Hermès will continue to grow as more models and collections are launched – with reputable second-hand sellers one of the best places to go if you want to pick up your own Hermès investment and join the exclusive group of those who can say they own an authentic Hermès.
