Springtime is for Kellys
The most summery incarnation of the Hermès Kelly is the Kelly Picnic. As the name suggests, this delightful handbag is inspired by a picnic basket. It was a Limited Edition release in 2011 when it was only available in size 35 in Fauve Barenia and Osier wicker. You may remember a runway model of the Kelly Picnic in Black from that year too, but we’ve never seen that color on the market.
The bag was miniaturized in 2019 when the Mini Kelly Picnic first appeared on the market. It was made from Osier wicker with super soft Swift leather or supple Barenia leather, which was traditionally used for saddles. These D-stamped bags came in White, Rouge de Couer, Blue du Nord, Jaune de Naples, Vert Verone and Fauve. In 2021 Blue Brume was added to the collection. It remains one of the rarest Kelly Picnic colors.
Whatever color you choose, the Kelly Picnic, and especially the Mini Kelly Picnic, reach a premium on the resale market.
For collectors, aside from the obvious aesthetic appeal of the Kelly Picnic, its charm is the craftsmanship that goes into it. It’s the only Hermès bag that requires two artisans to complete it: a saddler for the leather and a basketweaver for the wicker.
Osier wicker is an extremely high-quality type of willow. It’s such an intricate process to make the Kelly Mini Picnic that it purportedly takes around 10 hours to craft this part.
The leatherwork is painstaking, too. An artisan creates the flap, sangles, interior, braiding and leather knots. Once finished the bag is sturdy, strong, and should last you for many years to come. These exceptional bags are the perfect example of Hermès’ world-class craftsmanship.
In 2021, the Birkin Picnic in Osier Wicker and Barenia leather was introduced. Jane Birkin, the muse behind the Birkin bag was known for her penchant for carrying a picnic basket as an accessory, even on the red carpet, so perhaps it was inevitable there would one day be a Birkin Picnic. There’s also a Garden Party Picnic, Bolide Picnic, and Farming Picnic in the collection.
Shop our selection of Kelly Picnics here.
