The names of the works in the collection also carry the identity of the bag they are built on: model, size, stitching, hardware. This short glossary explains terms like Kelly 20, Sellier, GM and Palladium.
"2005 Hermes Kelly Sellier", "Goyard Saint Louis GM", "Mini Hermes Kelly 20 Palladium Hardware"... The names of the works in the collection also carry the identity of the bag they are built on. Being able to read them means understanding, at a glance, what object a work starts from.
Hermès
- Kelly. Hermès's classic bag, known for its single top handle, flap and strap-and-turn-lock closure. After Grace Kelly was photographed carrying it in 1956, it came to be known by her name, which later became official.
- Kelly 20, 25, 28... Kelly sizes are named after the width of the bag's base in centimetres. The Kelly 20 is the small size known as the "mini".
- Sellier and Retourné. Sellier ("saddler's work") is the rigid construction with stitching on the outside, sharp corners and a bag that holds its shape. A Retourné is stitched inside out and then turned, giving it a softer, rounder silhouette.
- Palladium Hardware. Tells you the lock, rings and buckles are palladium-plated, in other words silver-toned. Gold-toned fittings are called "Gold Hardware".
- Year. A year at the start of the name points to the bag's year of production. Hermès marks this year with a letter in the blind stamp inside the bag.
Goyard
- Goyardine. Goyard's signature coated canvas. Its chevron pattern of small interlocking "Y" shapes appeared at the end of the nineteenth century and is still the house's signature today.
- Saint Louis, Artois, Saint Léger, Sénat. Model names: the Saint Louis and Artois are roomy totes carried on the shoulder, the Saint Léger is a backpack, and the Sénat is a flat zipped bag used as a clutch or document holder.
Louis Vuitton
- Monogram. The pattern of LV initials, flowers and stars designed by Georges Vuitton in 1896. It was created to fight counterfeits and became the brand's best-known face.
- Damier. The checkerboard pattern dating from 1888. The brown version is known as Damier Ebène, the light blue and white one as Damier Azur.
- Pochette. French for "little pocket": a small bag with no handle or a thin strap.
Sizes and shapes
- PM, MM, GM. French for petit, moyen and grand modèle: small, medium and large. "Saint Louis GM" means a large Saint Louis.
- Tote. A wide-mouthed everyday bag with two handles.
- Clutch. A small bag without a handle, carried in the hand.
Next time you look at a work, check its name for these little clues. You can browse the whole collection on the products page.
