Hermès Kelly Doll History
Adored by collectors around the world, the Hermès Kelly Doll or Quelle Idole bag was conceived in whimsy. First released in 2000 and designed by Jean-Louis Dumas, these pint-sized buddy bags originally retailed for around $2,500. Hermès Kelly Dolls were produced in eight different color-ways during their first run: Orange H, Rouge H, Black, Noisette, Blue Saphir, Vert Olive, Vert Cru, and Rouge Vif (no examples of Vert Cru or Vert Olive Kelly Dolls have ever sold at auction). Orange H is the most common color, with over 27% of Kelly Dolls sold at auction sporting the House shade. Black is the second most common, comprising over 18% of the market. Through 2004 these bags could be found at Hermes boutiques and on the secondary market for not much more than retail, though after their discontinuation in 2005 collectors began to consider them in a different light.
Hermès Kelly Doll 2nd Edition 2008-2010
In 2008, Hermès began producing limited runs of the Hermès Kelly Doll again, mostly to mark the opening of new boutiques around the world. Through 2010 a number of new color-ways came out of the Pantin ateliers including Blue Jean, and Vermillion, but most notably 5P pink, which was selected for the 2010 opening of the Sogo boutique in Hong Kong. After 2010 the Hermès Kelly Doll was retired again, which truly spurred collectors to pay attention whenever they came to market.
Hermès Kelly Doll: HSS Exquisite
In 2015 Hermès debuted a set of five exquisite Quelle Idole bags at the Leather Forever exhibition in Singapore. These unique pieces, which featured embroidery, beading, exotic skins and other unique elements, went viral online among Hermès collectors and were later auctioned for charity. The excitement from this event stuck with collectors for years, and in 2017 the first HSS Hermès Kelly Dolls began to emerge from Hermès’ workshops. A new age of Quelle Idole had begun, one marked by the added whimsy of selecting your own colors and materials. Since then numerous examples have come on to the secondary market in myriad combinations. The rarest and most sought-after examples are rendered in Matte Alligator. Hermès keeps the production of these bags extremely limited. It is unknown if ever we will see examples in shiny alligator, ostrich, lizard, or perhaps even suede. Recent examples have been spotted in a limited edition Blue Zellige colorway that, like early runs, has no Horse Shoe Stamp, as well as new ‘Touch’ Kelly Dolls that feature shiny alligator hands, feet, eyebrows and smile against a Swift leather body.
Hermès Kelly Doll Price
Appearing at auction with some regularity, the Hermès Kelly Doll has been an iconic presence on the market for over a decade now. Prior to 2015 only 1st edition Hermès Kelly Dolls had sold at auction and none topped $20,000. Today, over 50% of Hermès Kelly Dolls sold at auction have been from their first production run, with less than 20% coming from the 2008-2010 group which have averaged almost $45,000 since their first appearance at auction in 2015. These Kelly Dolls made for boutique openings have always been valued higher than the original versions, though in 2020 the auction average for the originals jumped 28% over the year prior to almost $30,000, and in 2021 the average jumped another 29% to over $41,000. This ascension, though, seems paltry in comparison to the nearly $78,000 average 2nd edition Kelly Dolls achieved in 2021, topping the year’s $61,500 average for Swift HSS Hermès Kelly Dolls. These had previously averaged in the $50,000-$55,000 range.
Hermès Kelly Doll Alligator
Hermès Kelly Doll in Alligator are one of the most sought after Hermès bags in the world. Assembling a collection of leather Kelly Dolls is a feat unto itself, but acquiring multiple Alligator Hermès Kelly Dolls is a level of collecting unthinkable to most. Since their inception only seven have sold at auction, and while their average prices stayed under $90,000 their first two years on the market, 2020’s nearly $110,000 average was smashed by the sole example sold in 2021 which achieved over $240,000. These exquisite exotics are now ranked at the top of the collecting market along with Faubourg Birkins, Kelly Wood, Kelly Feather or Sterling Kellys and Himalayans.
Hermès Kelly Doll Picto
Hermès introduced the newest Kelly Doll as part of its Spring/Summer 2022 collection. The new Hermès Kelly Doll Picto is a completely redesigned and re-imagined take on the Hermès Kelly Doll. The new design comes with a shoulder strap and has a pixel art style complete with a little backpack. The new Hermès Kelly Doll comes in Epsom leather in two colors: Mauve Sylvestre and Nata retails for about $15,600. Sotheby's has it's first Hermès Kelly Doll Picto available in Paris with the sale closing March 20.
Hermès Kelly Doll Charm
Just last year Hermès released a new even tinier Hermès Kelly Doll as a bag charm. Only about 6.5cm across, these itty-bitty expressions of exquisite leather craftsmanship are designed to adorn a bag, though fully function as their full-size sisters do. Only three have come to auction so far, averaging just under $8,000, though if the trajectories of their predecessors are any indication, another digit will soon be added to that average value.
