Who could have imagined that one of the most coveted objects of recent decades would be born in the sky, in 1984, on a flight from Paris to London? The Anglo-French actress and singer Jane Birkin, sitting next to Jean-Louis Dumas, Executive Chairman of Hermès (1978-2006), was complaining that she couldn’t find a bag suitable for her needs as a young mother. She sketched her ideal design with Jean-Louis Dumas and Hermès created the bag in her honour. Jane Birkin popularised the Birkin bag and the Birkin bag became a true global luxury icon, especially after its appearance in the series Sex and the City in 2001, which caused waiting lists to skyrocket.

They are Handmade in France in the Hermès workshops, each bag requires several hours of meticulous work by a single artisan. 1994 Special Event: In 1994, Jane Birkin donated her own original bag (the first prototype) to a charity auction benefiting the “AIDES / Solidarité Sida Association” in France, Paris where she lived until her death last July 16, 2023.

HERMÈS TAURILLON CLEMENCE LEATHER: Also known as “Beau Taurillon Clémence”, or simply TC, Hermès Taurillon Clémence leather was first introduced in the 1990s. Today, it is generally referred to simply as Hermès Clémence leather. Clémence has a semi-matte smooth, pebbled-grained surface that creates a slightly slouchy and relaxed handbag Clémence and Togo are both natural leathers and quite similar. However, Clemence leather is smoother to the touch and has slightly larger grains and no veining compared to Togo.

The Most Valuable Hermès Bag Colour: When buying a Birkin bag either to wear, collect or to resale, the bag can take on an entirely different character depending on its colour, the leather, the hardware and size, while certain colour have become particularly recognisable within the Hermès collecting world. The colour you are going to decide to choose can also play an important role in the resale value. The most popular and enduringly classic colours for Hermès Birkin bags are Black, Gold (a warm natural brown/tan), and Étoupe (a grey-beige taupe) One of the most wanted The heritage GOLD colour is very strong and very demanding by collectors.

HUGO GRYGKAR

The First designer of the Silk Scarf-Carré for Hermès

Shop our vintage authentic scarves-carrés By Hugo Grygkar. Dive into our selection of Hermès scarves collection and explore our vintage ones. Embark on a journey into the Hermès scarves universe and let the magic of the orange box work.

The silk scarf (carré de soie) introduced in 1937 by Hermès, is one of the emblems of Hermès. Nowadays, one of these timeless pieces sells every thirty minutes around the world.

Following the launch of the first fragrance in 1936, Hermès created in 1937 the first scarf to celebrate the 100th anniversary. The idea of creating and promoting scarves comes from Robert Dumas, son of Emile Dumas, who became the president of the house of Hermès. Because he was surrounded by talented designers he was able to quickly convince his father about this idea of producing Hermès scarf-carré, indeed the famous carré, was born.

It was just before World War II. Wedged between the development of the automotive industry and the constant crisis after the Great Depression, the harness workshop betted his survival on the diversification of his productions.

It is in this context that Hugo Grygkar designed the first memorable carré for Hermès, “jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches”.

Chelsea Vintage Couture scarf

At the same time, inspired by men’s fashion, Coco Chanel had made a big revolution in women’s fashion. For this new sober and simple style, the scarf was a perfect accessory. Having the wind in his sails, Hermès has succeeded in creating fashionable scarves.

Chelsea Vintage Couture offers a large selection of Hermès scarves for sale online. All our scarves have been cleaned, they are in very good condition in its box. Global shipping is available or collection for free in Chelsea.

Hugo Grygkar not only designed the very first silk carré for Hermès but he also became the most prolific artist for Hermès. Thanks to Hugo Grygkar, the father of the Carré Hermès that today we, lovers of carrés Hermès can enjoy wearing them year long.

Who is Hugo Grygkar

Hugo Grygkar was born on December 9th, 1907 in Munich to a Czech family. He grew up in Germany where from an early age attended the studio of his father, who was a tinsmith and bronze sculptor. In 1914, his family left for France and settled first in Brittany, in Lannion, and later on in the Parisian suburbs. In his youth, Hugo was a diligent artist and an avid reader, who also loved to write. A very private and modest person, Hugo kept his education somewhat of a mystery but he most likely attended l’Academie des Beaux-Arts and then the Studio La Ruche in Paris. In 1939 along with his father, Hugo joined a special corps in the French army made up of Czech volunteers. Although dismissed after a few months due to kidney disease, this commitment helped him obtain French citizenship. He married in 1942 and two years later had a daughter, Beatrice.

After the war, in a difficult economic environment, in addition to designing scarves for Hermès, Hugo Grygkar also worked as a commercial artist and as an illustrator, producing movie posters and some drawings for magazines such as Vogue.

Many of the carrés he designed during the forties were created in the tradition of the great illustrators. Maxims, proverbs and aphorisms come to life in playful ways. Hugo with his great sense of humor created carrés that are in complete contrast to the hard times of the war and the immediate postwar period. Already from his very early designs, Hugo expressed that innate sense of composition and harmony that will continue throughout his entire body of work.

The artistic alliance between Hermès and Hugo Grygkar would last over 20 years. Particularly, Hugo Grygkar designed many masterpieces, which would be reprinted many times for posterity.

From classical paintings to modern graphics, Hugo Grygkar style is various and difficult to summarise. In short, his style is worthy of pioneer, who marked the genesis of the Hermès carrés.

Ex Libris Hermès

FOR SALE ONLINE

Chelsea Vintage Couture 

The Ex Libris scarf was created in 1946 and it beautifully reflects his keen ability to create balance and clarity in a composition. At the center is the now so famous bookplate, that Emile–Maurice Hermès had created for his personal library in 1923 (basis for Hermès logo carriage to this day). Surrounded on all four sides by horse-drawn carriages, inspired by ink drawings from the private collection of Emile-Maurice. Designing from the outside in, Hugo focused first on the outer parts of his designs, which were often very complex and detailed, and only subsequently creating the central motif, leaving empty areas in between. He never signed any of his work.

Hugo Grygkar became the primary designer of Hermès Fashion House. In that role he was also a regular contributor to the window decorations of the Maison Hermès at 24 Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris. While designing the carrés, Hugo worked in close collaboration with Robert Dumas, who would guide him in the choice of the subjects, drawing on his abundant private art collection as well as that of Emile–Maurice Hermès.

The inspiration would come from sometimes ordinary objects like the bookplate, from books, artifacts and paintings. Both private collections became a source of wonder and inspiration for Hugo, whose designs often reflected their eclecticism. Once a theme was decided upon, Hugo quickly sketched proposed concepts that Dumas would chose from. Both men shared a deep mutual respect and a common focus on detail and excellence of the overall design. It was Hugo’s, modesty and amazing flexibility that allowed him to adapt to the demands of Dumas. In his perpetual quest for perfection, Hugo did not hesitate to get a live rooster for the design of carré Combats de Coqs (1954) or a real zebra skin for what became La Chasse en Afrique (1957). He created more than one hundred drawings between 1943 and 1959.

Carried away by his great curiosity, his sources of inspiration and themes were very varied. His carrés not only reflect the history, but helped create and shape the identity of the Maison Hermès.

Floralies, 1959

Floralies, which became part of the collection in 1959, would be his last design. Hugo Grygkar died in February 22nd,1959 due to kidney disease from which he suffered for a long time. Shortly after his death, Robert Dumas described him in his diary as “a valuable contributor to the creation of our carrés, a deeply religious man, honest, modest and full of talent,” a big contributor to Hermès scarves success story.

Grygkar’s influence on the ‘Hermès carrés’ and Hermès was profound and his legacy lives up until today.

Below is a list of Hugo Grygkar’s other timeless amazing silk carrés

Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches, 1936

FOR SALE ONLINE

Chelsea Vintage Couture 

Jeu des Omnibus & Dames Blanches Hermès

Plaques à Sables HERMÈS, 1948

Chevaux d’Après Van der Meulen HERMÈS, 1951
À La Gloire De La Legion Étrangère, Hugo Grygkar, 1951, 1963

La Réale Vue du Carrosse de la Galère 1953

FOR SALE ONLINE

Otan, Nato, 1956 – Limited edition

HERMÈS Limited Edition Nato Scarf 1956

The story behind this NATO scarf

This NATO scarf, designed by Hugo Grygkar, depicts a globe carried by two horses, topped by a sandglass. The sandglass is a reference to the passing of time and the lasting nature of the Alliance, while the horses symbolise the two sides of the Atlantic. The flags of the NATO member countries appear on the equatorial ring around the globe, while the insignia of NATO Commands feature on the outer rim of the scarf.

This scarf was commissioned in 1956 to be presented during the North Atlantic Council meeting of 13-14 December at Nato Palais de Chaillot Headquarters in Paris. This was a limited edition that did not exceed 300 scarves, which were either donated or sold to NATO employees-personnel and to NATO Delegations.

Le Bois de Boulogne Hermès, 1957

Le bois de Boulogne vintage Hermès scarf

Brides de Gala Hermès, 1957

FOR SALE ONLINE 

Panache & Fantaisie HERMÈS, 1959

FOR SALE ONLINE

Quai aux Fleurs 1952, 1957, 1990

HERMÈS scarf quai aux fleurs

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”

Inspiration: Feminist before the time, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had the idea of ​​creating a shoulder bag inspired by military bags at the time, which would allow women to have their hands free rather than cluttering up with a bag in their hand.

In February 1955, Gabrielle Chanel gave birth to the famous model 2.55, which she named in reference to its date of creation. Scandal, it was the first bag for women to come with a shoulder strap – a detail that offered freedom from the impractical constraints of the clutch. It was considered rebellious, even uncouth, but women were enraptured the practicality it afforded. Chanel herself loved the way she could slip both hands into her coat pockets, striking a free, determined pose. The 2.55 was a revelation, and instantly became a house icon.

An It-bag among all the it-bags, with a luxurious aura, the accessory continues, 65 years later, to attract the favours of fashionistas… and has even inspired another cult bag from the Parisian house, the Classic flap. In 1980’s Karl Lagerfeld created a remix of the original 2.55 while keeping the same style to the original design as per Chanel photos above, he simply added his special touch by replacing the original Mademoiselle twist lock with an instantly recognisable interlocking CC lock, plus the interlaced chain with black leather instead of the chain.

Lifestyle: To own and carry a Chanel bag is to adopt a history, a philosophy in which freedom as well as practical and aesthetic sense are inscribed. Gabrielle Chanel has always designed her creations according to her life style and to her needs, thus shaking up codes and traditions. The shoulder straps and the multiple pockets illustrate this desire for emancipation.

Style: The Chanel bag is more than a fashion statement. It is a signature, a reflection of the personality of the woman who wears it. Whatever it is, it never goes out of fashion anywhere in the world, crosses eras and generations, defies trends even. The epitome of style, timeless.

Since the quilted flap bags exist in various sizes, various colours and material, classic calfskin leather, caviar leather, used leather, tweed, jersey, denim, fur, exotic skin etc.

What is a Chanel reissue?

The term classic flap commonly refers to the flap bag with the interlocking CC closure and the leather interlaced chain. In February 2005, Karl Lagerfeld re-design the 2.55 – exactly as Coco Chanel had made in 1955, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 2.55. It came to be known as the Reissue.

Chanel rectangular twist lock

CHANEL 2.55 Reissue 225 Double Flap Timeless

You can visit our website and you can browse our full range of rare French designer vintage items from the comfort of your home sweet home. If you should have any questions for any item you have seen online we will be available via phone, WhatsApp, text and email and we always try to respond instantly. Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are working hard to despatch orders as quickly and safely as possible not only in the UK but also worldwide.

If there is something you need urgently we are currently still offering FREE delivery in the Borough of Chelsea, Fulham, South Kensington in London and certain areas of London in line with current government guidance.

As a business we will of course continue to adapt as the situation changes. Our friendly small team are doing an amazing job and we can take any orders over the phone or online as well as responding to your queries quickly.

We have worked really hard over recent weeks and months to source many rare vintage French luxury designer items at competitive prices to please our clients and we will do so as usual our best to prepare all orders as quick as possible and reply to every query. Please rest assured that we will answer all your calls and emails as quickly as we can and have your items shipped to you as soon as possible.

Please also keep an eye on our website which we update regularly with new items and information you need.

Thank you so much for your continued loyalty and support as always we are incredibly grateful and most importantly, look after yourself and your loved ones.

Keep well and safe.

Chelsea Vintage Couture Team

Before buying your first Chanel bag, it is important to check out the worldwide prices from Chanel. This prices guideline will help you to compare and decide to purchase a new one directly from Chanel or a preowned one. Most of our Chanel bags are in excellent condition, vintage and rare pieces.

Why invest in a preowned-vintage piece because not only it will help to reduce the environmental impact but it will save you hundreds of Pounds for a unique vintage style and more authentic looks. Also, buying secondhand means you can expand your wardrobe without thinning your wallet and at Chelsea Vintage Couture we have a beautiful range of Rare Chanel Bags for sale, check it out or contact us, if you you did not find what you are looking for.

Chanel Bags Sizes – Dimensions (from Chanel Source)

The Corona Virus Epidemic is now part of our daily life and there are simple things that we really need to do to protect ourselves from catching the virus.

Hand bags like many hand held items and accessories can hold germs. It is sensible to clean them daily and the quickest and easiest way to do this is to wipe them down gently with disinfecting wipes or spray firstly applied onto a soft cloth and then applied lightly to all surfaces.  Covering the handles with a scarf like we all do with our Hermès bags is also an attractive method. You can use any scarf to roll around the handles or of course use a  Hermès scarf to suit with your outfit and bag style and colour. The less fun part is you will need to wash your scarf on a daily basis and having many scarves in your closet will help of course.

HERMÈS Etoupe Togo Birkin 30          HERMÈS Black Box Calf Leather Vintage  HERMÈS Box Leather Bag Cordelière

#hermesscarves #hermesvintagescarves #hermesbirkin  #hermesvintagebags #hermeskellyvintage

#stayhome

CHANEL Camera bags appeared in the 1980s collections and were inspired by the cases of photographers and reporters. Introduced by Gabrielle Chanel, the “diamond” quilted leather is inspired by the equestrian world. The chain, recognised at first sight is identical to the 2.55 bag. Also named that way because of their small, box style proportions. As a result (and unlike all mini bags, chain-strap pouches), camera bags have space and depth. This makes all the difference because it expands the interior capacity and flexibility of the bags significantly, which can make them an easier option for daytime use. Camera bags also have full zip closures and cross-body straps, which make them safe options for outdoor activities that may be a little bit more practical and comfortable to wear.

Vintage Style Camera Bags

There is a style for every look and no doubt the vintage ones are the most attractive. Most of the Chanel bags are collectable and affordable, they are the best because they are stunning and renowned in the fashion industry and their only rival is Hermès. These vintage camera bags are handcrafted in luxurious lambskin quilted leather and chevron in various style with horizontal and vertical pockets, with tassels, jewellery shoulder chain, classical Chanel interlaced leather-chain and with the distinctive gold plated CC hardware that makes them so desirable. If you were to buy one today I would recommend a vintage piece either the Chanel Jumbo Flap bag, Timeless 2.55, a vintage camera bag, a Mademoiselle or a tote bag. Why the vintage bag ? because they are rare, the quality is outstanding even after many years of use. The leather is outstanding, the hardware is made with solid gold plating and their style is timeless. Sadly the more recent bags leather is not of the same high quality and the hardware is no longer real gold plated which makes the vintage pieces even more collectable not only for their looks but also investment wise. If you ask any bag connoisseur they will whisper these words to anyone who wishes to hear ‘they don’t make them like they used to be’…sadly what a true statement that is.

Camera Bags On Sale

A selection of camera bags on sale on our site.

CHANEL Vintage Camera Clutch Timeless  1994           CHANEL Coco Boy Cross-Body

Rare Chanel Camera Clutch Bags By Karl Lagerfeld

The camera bags exist in various sizes and they have evolved from being a small cross-body bag with the classic tassel and pull closure. Below is a selection of the most incredible examples, inc. clutch bags Karl Lagerfeld designed for Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld fashion icon, was the creative director of Chanel from 1983 until his recent death 19th February 2019 (85 years old) in France, Neuilly Sur Seine. He was a genius, using irresistible designs while maintaining Coco style. His Chanel bags proved time and time again to be examples of his couture know-how and creativity, and never failed to surprise the public. Karl Lagerfeld will remain one of the most emblematic icon of the luxury fashion industry.

Inspired By A Shipping Container From Chanel Show ‘Métiers d’Art’ 2017 – © Getty Images

In the most difficult of times, we reflect on our gratitude to our clients and those who work diligently in partnership with us to keep our small independent boutique going. Our team at Chelsea Vintage couture appreciates you all and is here for you to talk, lend support and share ideas. We can be reached at +44(0)74 9867 4652. We will continue our social media efforts in promoting our preowned items with special offers. Should you want to place an order or should you need any further information contact us by WhatsApp or email us at info@chelseavintagecouture.com.

We would like to thank all of our regular clients and local clients for their warm support in these uncertain times. Your support means when the world returns to normal we will be ready to assist you and to provide you with all the service you require.

We wish everyone a safe and healthy journey through these challenging times.

Thank you and stay safe!

Chelsea Vintage Couture Team

#stayhomesavelives  #SAVE NHS #Coronavirus

Some advise from our NHS

How to stop infection spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitizer gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

Stay at home to stop Coronavirus spreading

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.

You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:

• shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
• one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
• any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
• traveling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

Kelly Bag 1960-1970

The founder of the luxury brand, Thierry Hermès, created in 1892 the firstborn bag called “Haut à Courroies”.
Originally intended for horseriders, this large leather bag designed was used to protect and transport saddles and riding boots. This ingenious and practical bag made life easier for the riders and offered them an early expression of elegance. Its’ rigid flap folded flat against the rear of the bag creating a wide opening. The two saddle flaps were thus held in place by the straps, as if absorbed by the bag, like a sleight of hand.

From rider to traveler bag – diverted from its equestrian use by the arrival of the automobile, the ‘Haut à courroies’ bag became the ideal travel bag for adventurers.

Hermès Bag ‘Haut à Courories’

In 1935 Robert Dumas-Hermès, redesigned the bag and reduced the size and cut to make it more feminine. The success was immediate.

It was then called a “dispatch bag” and it was only in 1958 that he really took off when Princess Grace Kelly got off her plane and tried to hide her pregnancy with her Hermès bag.

The photo cliche made worldwide headlines and the impact on the brand was phenomenal. The Dumas-Hermès brothers then decided to change the name of the bag and named it ‘Kelly’

Buying a Kelly Bag – What You Should Know

It is very valuable bag, whether you buy a vintage one or a new one from any of the Hermès store. It is one of the most demanded bags from the brand despite its’ high price. In order to meet the strong global demand handbags Hermès has had to open new workshops all over France. Every Kelly bag is made in France and each employee working in the workshops are trained locally in training schools. The Kelly bag is available in many colours, using around twenty of the most luxurious leathers including lambskin, crocodile, ostrich, calf grained, Clémence bull calf… and benefiting from a unique know-how craftsmanship. Each bag is made with great care by one single craftsman and it requires about 20 hours of manual work and all seams are in linen thread. Each piece is marked with a hallmark which identifies the year of manufacture as well as the workshop and the craftsman who made it. This bag has a characteristic closure with two leather straps, gold-tone clasp closure or palladium with a small padlock and signed two keys. The base is protected from wear by four strong studs. There are eight sizes, which vary from 15 to 50 cm in width. From the 1960s a removable strap was added to the handle.

Kelly bags are sold retail for thousands of pounds, with the record for the most expensive Kelly bag held by the Hermès 32 cm Matte Geranium Porosus Crocodile and Black Togo Leather Sellier Kelly Bag with Feet, which sold at auction for $125,000.

Check out our Kelly vintage bags – all of our bags are preowned and in excellent condition. Buying an Hermès Kelly or Birkin new or second-hand it’s an excellent investment, should you choose to resell it.

Hermès Kelly 28 Sellier Red Rouge Chèvre        HERMES Kelly 32 Dark Brown Box Calf Leather Gold Hardware

Hermès Kelly 32 Black Shiny Crocodile                  HERMES Kelly 32 Black Shiny Crocodile Palladium Hardware

Various versions of Kelly bags signed Hermès

Hermes have produced astonishing variations of the Kelly to promote this legendary bag, for example a Kelly bag in chocolate, in plexiglass, embroidered by Maison Lesage Paris (Haute Couture) or in very large size: 4 m high by 1 m wide. In 2004 and again in 2006, Jean-Paul Gaultier, then Director Artistic of Hermès, designed the new Kelly line, the pouches, the Mini Kelly Pochette and the Kelly Long. Subsequently, Afterwards, Hermès set out to develop its classic line with the appearance of the Kelly wallet, the So Kelly bucket bag and the Toolbox bag.

HERMÈS Paris Kelly 40 cm Plexiglass               Hermès Kelly II 20 cm Mini Veau Epsom Rose Extreme GHW Bag

Hermès Kelly Pochette Blue Swift Gold Hardware