History of the Hermès Kelly Doll

The Hermès Kelly Doll bag, or Quelle Idole bag, is a pint-sized buddy bag designed by Jean-Louis Dumas. This bag was launched in 2000 and was loved by collectors all over the world. It was originally designed by Jean-Louis Dumas. 

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During the first run of Hermès Kelly dolls, eight different colors of Kelly dolls were created: Orange H, Rouge H, Black, Noisette, Blue Saphir, Vert Olive, Vert Cru, and Rouge Vif (there has never been any examples of Vert Cru or Vert Olive Kelly dolls that have ever been auctioned). 

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A Kelly Doll's most common color is orange H, which is found in over 27% of the Kelly Dolls that were sold at auction. Black makes up over 18% of Kelly Dolls that were sold at auction. 

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As of 2004, these bags could be found in Hermes boutiques and on the secondary market for relatively little more than retail. However, after they were discontinued in 2005, collectors began to view them with a completely different perspective.

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Kelly Doll 2nd Edition 2008-2010 by Hermès

As a mark of the opening of new boutiques around the globe, Hermès began producing limited runs of its Kelly Doll again in 2008.

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Several new color-ways were released by the Pantin ateliers during 2010 including Blue Jean, Vermillion, and 5P pink, which was selected for the opening of the Sogo boutique in Hong Kong in 2010. Collectors paid close attention whenever the Kelly Doll appeared on the market after 2010 when it was retired again.

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Exquisite Hermès Kelly Doll by HSS

An exquisite set of Quelle Idole bags was unveiled by Hermès at the Leather Forever exhibition in Singapore in 2015. In addition to embroidery, beading, exotic skins, and other unique elements, these pieces went viral online among Hermès collectors and were auctioned for charity later that year. 

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As a result of this event, collectors remained excited for years, and Hermès' workshops began producing the first HSS Kelly Dolls in 2017. Quelle Idole had entered a new era, one with an added element of whimsy in selecting materials and colors. In myriad combinations, numerous examples have come to market since then. Matte Alligator is the most coveted and rarest finish. 

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The production of these bags remains extremely limited, and we do not know if we will ever see them in shiny alligator, ostrich, lizard, or perhaps even suede.

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A limited edition Blue Zellige colorway, without the Horse Shoe Stamp, has recently been spotted as well as a new ‘Touch’ Kelly Doll with shiny alligator hands, feet, eyebrows and smile against Swift leather.

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Price of the Hermès Kelly Doll

Despite its popularity at auction, there are very few 1st edition Hermès Kelly Dolls available at auction, and none have ever topped $20,000. Since 2015, there have been a number of 1st edition Hermès Kelly Dolls available at auction, but none have ever topped $20,000. 

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According to Rich Report, Since the first Hermès Kelly doll was sold at auction in 2015, almost 50% of all Kelly dolls sold at auction have been from the first production run of the doll, while less than 20% have come from the second production run of the doll from 2008-2010, which have averaged almost $45,000 since the first Kelly doll was sold at auction in 2015.

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Kelly Dolls made for boutique openings have always been valued higher than the original versions, though the auction average for the originals has increased by almost 28% over the previous year to almost $30,000 in 2020, and the auction average has increased again by almost 29% to over $41,000 in 2021.

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Although this ascent seems paltry in comparison to the nearly $78,000 average price for Swift HSS Hermès Kelly Dolls in 2021, they were ranked higher than the $61,500 average price for Swift HSS Hermès Kelly Dolls that had previously averaged between $50,000 to $55,000 in the past.

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Kelly Doll Alligator by Hermès

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As one of the most sought after Hermès bags in the world, the Kelly Doll in alligator has become one of the most sought after Hermès bags in history. Assembling a collection of leather Kelly Dolls is a feat in and of itself, but collecting multiple alligator Hermès Kelly Dolls is a collecting feat unto itself. 

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Seven have been sold at auction since they were introduced, and while their average price remained low their first two years on the market, the sole example sold in 2021 achieved over $240,000, smashing 2020's nearly $110,000 average.

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In addition to Faubourg Birkins, Kelly Wood, Kelly Feather or Sterling Kellys and Himalayans, these exquisite exotics are ranked at the top of the collecting market.

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Kelly Doll Picto by Hermès

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In its Spring/Summer 2022 collection, Hermès introduced a new Kelly Doll: the Hermès Kelly Doll Picto. This new design comes with a shoulder strap and has a pixel art style complete with a little backpack and is a totally redesigned and reimagined take on the Kelly Doll. 

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This new Hermès Kelly Doll comes in two colors and retails for about $15,600. It is made out of Epsom leather and comes in two colors - Mauve Sylvestre and Nata. Sotheby's has the first Hermès Kelly Doll Picto on sale in Paris and it will close on March 20.This new Hermès Kelly Doll comes in two colors and retails for about $15,600. 

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It is made out of Epsom leather and comes in two colors - Mauve Sylvestre and Nata. Sotheby's has the first Hermès Kelly Doll Picto on sale in Paris and it will close on March 20.

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Kelly Doll Charm by Hermès

Hermès launched another smaller model of its Kelly Doll as a bag charm last year, only about 6.5cm in width, making these itty-bitty representations of exquisite leather craftsmanship a wonderful addition to any bag. However, they do not function in the same way as their full-size sisters. 

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So far, only three have been auctioned, averaging just under $8,000, and if the trajectory of their predecessors is any indication, that average will soon increase by another digit.