Everything You Should Know About Hermés Special Order [2026 Updated]

If you are a Hermés enthusiast, surely you have heard the whispers of this exclusive Hermés Special Order. It is also referred to as Horseshoe Stamp (HSS). A very prestigious offering, this well-thought-out program gives loyal customers the option to create their very own Hermés bag.

In this blog, we’ll explore what makes a Hermés Special Order bag special in 2026 – from the colours you can choose to the steps involved in bringing your dream bag to life. Here is everything you need to know about this special case. 

What is a Hermés Special Order?

Hermés is the name of luxury, with finesse in everything they make. However, the Hermés Special Order is more sought-after. 

With this service, customers can design their take on the brand’s classic bags, be it Birkin, Kelly, or Constance. You get everything from the Hermés leather type to the hardware finish of your choice so that your bag can reflect your taste.

Personalisation is what makes this different from other Hermés offerings. While Hermés creates limited-edition handbags, a special order is a one-of-a-kind - designed in partnership with you. Here is what it includes: 

• Creation: Created with your choice of colours, leather, and hardware.
• Stamp: A Special Order Hermés Birkin or a mini Kelly special order will also have a small H stamp right next to the Hermés logo.

How Does The Hermés’ Special Order Work?

A Special Order Hermés bag starts with an invitation: only Hermés’ favourite clients. Those who have built a relationship with the brand over time get “The Call” from the Sales Associate. 

Your SA will guide you through the available options, as listed below:

• • Choose the Style: As of now, in Paris, only the Mini Kelly II and Kelly Pochette are offered in 2026’s Special Order styles. Larger Kellys and Birkins are unfortunately not available in the first 2026 SO round. However, never say never! Your local boutique may have an expanded offering. 

  • Pick the Materials: Have fun picking the colours, leather, and hardware

  • Popular Colours: Hermés Special Order colours 2026 bring exciting new options. Bright hues like Vert Verone and Rose Mexico, and classic tones like Noir and Gold.

  • Handcrafting: Once you finalise the design, send the creation off to Hermés artisans, who will personally handcraft it for you.

2026 Special Order: What's New and What's Changed

With 2026 upon us, this Special Order season has something truly special in store. 

Ostrich Leather Returns! 

In 2025, we saw very little of ostrich leather. However, we’re please to announce it’s made a comeback this year in full fledge! And it’s now available in a number of stunning shades: 

• Rouge Sellier

• Gris Asphalte

• Bleu Glacier

• Beton

• Tangerine

• Rouge Vif

• Terre Cuite

• Vert Titien

• Gris Meyer

• Noir

• Gold

Pink and Pastel are Back, Baby! 

After 3 long despairing years of yearning for pink, Hermes has finally given us what we’ve always wanted in 2026; an expanded pink and pastel palette! 

• Rose Darling (available in Chèvre) – first released in 2024, now part of SO menu

• Mauve Sylvestre (available in Epsom) – the extremely popular pink from 2019 returns

• Mauve Pale (available in Swift) – appeared in 2022, now back for 2026

The Colour Range is A Lot More Expanded

We wouldn’t be wrong if we said that the 2026 palette feels a lot more expansive than it was a couple of years ago. This is Hermès striking the perfect balance between light and dark neutrals: 

New colours for 2026 include:

• Ardoise – sophisticated grey

• Gris Pantin – modern grey tone

• Beton – concrete-inspired neutral

• Paille – pale straw

• Jaune Milton – cheerful yellow

• Jaune Mango – vibrant mango yellow

• Rose Darling – soft pink

• Bai Brun – deep brown

2026 Special Order Leather and Colour Menu

The following leather and colour options are currently available for Special Orders in Paris. Please note that before you jump off your seats,  local boutiques may vary in their offerings:

Chèvre Mysore Leather Colours

Epsom Leather Colours

Swift Leather Colours

Ostrich Leather Colours

Lining Colours for Verso Orders

So, What Changed Between 2025 and 2026?

Ostrich leather is officially back on the Special Order list for 2026 after being removed in 2025. If you were dreaming of a custom Kelly with ostrich's distinctive texture, this is your year! 

Other key changes:

• Expanded pink palette – Three pink shades are now available across different leathers

• New neutral options – Ardoise, Gris Pantin, Beton add sophistication

• Fresh yellows – Jaune Milton and Jaune Mango bring warmth

• Refined earth tones – Bai Brun and Paille join classics like Gold and Etoupe

• Limited style offerings in Paris – Currently only Mini Kelly II and Kelly Pochette 

But don't worry! There are still plenty of luxe leathers to choose from, like Chèvre, Epsom, and Swift, and for the VVIPs, exotic skins like crocodile and alligator. Your SA will walk you through what's available so you can still create something truly special.

Every year, Hermés produces new colours. Hermés Special Order colours 2026 feature everything from bright and subtle tones.

You can still choose from expanded colour palettes:

• Bold Colours: Rose Mexico, Rose Darling, Tangerine, and Vert Verone Deep Green

• Classic yet Timeless: Noir, Gold, Ardoise, or Etoupe

• Soft Pastels: Mauve Sylvestre, Mauve Pale, Craie, Vert Fizz

• Contrasting Colours: Having a Hermés Special Order with Bleu Jean outside and Mauve Pale inside will give it that pop of contrast

What’s the Difference Between a Special Order Birkin and a Regular Birkin?

You may wonder what might make a Hermés Birkin special order different from a standard one. The biggest distinction lies in customisation. When you buy a regular Birkin, you are at the mercy of the colours, leather, and hardware finishes available at the boutique. 

However, you can choose every minute aspect of a Hermés Birkin Special Order, such as the right Birkin size pick, colour and hardware materials. 

Do you want a full-grain leather bag? Sure! Do you want gold or palladium hardware? You got it.

Also, consider the Horseshoe Stamp. Of course, any Birkin is rich enough, but an order Birkin is an absolute icon of exclusivity. It’s a discreet yet powerful acknowledgement that your Hermés custom handbag was created for yourself. 

Want to know how to order a special order handbag? Keep reading on! 

Can I Get a Special Order Handbag?

The short answer is yes! - but it’s by no means easy. It is usually the privilege of regular clients who have continually bought a lot from the brand. 

Once you are invited, you will work with your Sales Associate to create your dream Hermés custom bag. The key is appreciation for the brand, rapport building with the SA and enough patience. Not something you can rush through but well worth the effort. 

The Process of How Special Ordering Works at Hermés

What happens once you receive the invitation? Here’s what you can expect should you get to experience the Hermés Special Order 2026:

Consultation

Your journey starts with an in-store consultation. Your Sales Associate will sit down with you and discuss the following bag requirements. 

• Style
• Leather
• Colours
• Hardware 

Design Your Bag

Hermés will present you with hundreds of pre-set designs and colour combinations. For instance: 

• • Line – single colour on entire exterior and interior with contrasting stitching

  • Multico (Bi-colour) – two different exterior colours on different parts of the bag

  • Verso – where exterior and interior colours differ

You can mix and match colours and leathers on this tiny yet iconic shape. During this phase, your SA will supply you with leather swatches and colour samples to give you a better view of your design. Many boutiques now have an iPad, so they can help create a rendering which visually details the selections made, providing a realistic preview of the finished bag.

Selecting Your Order For Completion

Once you have selected your materials and your design is finalised, your order is forwarded to the artisans of Hermés in France. 

Remember that once the design is set, nothing can be changed. Moreover, your SA will give you an estimate of how long to anticipate. However, an estimated waiting time is anywhere from 6 months to a year.  or up to 18 months.

Waiting for Your Bag 

Patience is a virtue. Hermés Special Order is a labour of intricate craftsmanship. Timelines can vary with the complexity of your design, leather availability, and the overall workload of the house. 

Collect Your Personalised Bag

After a lot of patience, your SA will get in touch to organise a consultation at the boutique once the Custom Birkin is ready. The bag is handed over upon finalising the meeting.

2026 Special Order Hardware Options

In 2026, you’ve got several hardware options based on the bag style: 

For Mini Kelly II:

• Gold

• Palladium

• Permabrass

For Kelly Pochette:

• Gold

• Palladium

• Permabrass

• Rose Gold

Customisable Strap Lengths for Mini Kelly II

If you were second-guessing getting a Mini Kelly II because of its 93 cm shoulder strap, we’re pleased to inform you you can now customise it your preferred length with four options to choose from! 

• 70 cm

• 85 cm 

• 105 cm 

• 120 cm 

How Much Does a Special Order Bag Cost?

A Hermés custom bag can vary greatly in terms of price, considering leather materials, stylistic choices and embellishments. 

Most special order bags begin about the same price range as a regular Birkin or Kelly. The prices increase if you want exotic leather or more intricate design details.

• A good example is the Hermés special order Birkin with Togo leather, for which one could start at around $12,000. 
• Comparatively, the price of one made from more exotic materials such as alligator or ostrich can reach more than $50,000.

Ultimately, the process of Hermés Special Order is not about getting a bargain. Rather, it’s closer to creating a one-of-a-kind piece that represents who you are and your relationship with the brand.

Hermés Special Order Colours 2024

Every year, Hermés produces new colours. Hermés Special Order colours 2024 feature everything from bright and subtle tones. The ability to pick colours allows more freedom for customers who want to blend their style with Hermés’ classy designs. Explore the various options like: 

• Bold Colours: Rose Mexico, Vibrant Pink, and Vert Verone Deep Green
• Classic yet Timeless: Noir, Gold, or Etoupe
• Contrasting Colours: Having a Hermés Special Order Birkin with Bleu Brume outside and Rose Mexico inside will give it that pop of contrast

One of the things that make ordering a Hermés Special Order 2024 unique, is being able to have contrasting colours for the interior and exterior of the bag you’re ordering. 

Final Takeaway! Is a Hermés Special Order Worth It?

If you're an admirer of Hermés, you surely recognise its unparalleled craftsmanship and personalisation. A Hermés Special Order represents the pinnacle of luxury. The perfect bag turns into a work of art uniquely designed for you, tailored to every whim and caprice.

Whether you opt for a Special Order Hermés Birkin, Mini Kelly II, Kelly Pochette or Constance, your Hermés custom bag will speak to you. 

It is now a good time to plunge in for something new with Hermés Special Order in 2026. Check out Love Luxury to keep an eye out for a custom Birkin with the same luxury but none of the wait. Make sure you get the Once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

To know more about your favourite designer bags, visit our website. Offering the perfect recommendations for your next luxury item!