A Geographic Design with Mysterious Origins
The stories and mythology surrounding Hermès can be as seductive as the product itself. The limited-edition Hermès Kellygraphie Kelly bag, also known as Lettre Kelly, has one of the most tantalizing stories behind it. The inspiration for these color-block bags came from drawings from the 1930s dug out from the Hermès archive. The artist behind the striking sketches signed her name ‘Mademoiselle D,’ but little else is known about her.
Almost a century later, for the 2018 Resort collection, these designs have been drawn upon to create lettered bags which, when placed together, spell ‘Hermès.’ The bags come in five letters with several colors and leather combinations each. The common leather combination is Epsom, Sombrero and Chèvre Mysore. Some bags feature Taurillon Clemence leather.
The graphic Mademoiselle D-inspired letter designs were also used for Lettres au Carré bag charms, which come in Epsom and Sombrero calfskin and Chèvre Mysore goatskin. The 26 alphabet charms are made using leather inlay techniques.
The Lettres au Carré print is also featured on Plume 28 and Kelly Retourné 28 bags in Toile de Camp and Swift calfskin.
