Will this Hermès Himalaya Kelly set a new record in Hong Kong? The diamond-encrusted ‘rarest handbag in the world’ is expected to sell for millions to a collector at Sotheby’s online auction
This Hermès Himalaya Retourné Kelly 28 is made from white matt niloticus (Nile) crocodile leather and 18k white gold, set with 229 diamonds totalling 9.43 carats on the clasp and 40 diamonds (1.64 carats) on the Hermès padlock. The interior of the bag features gris cendré chèvre leather – ash-grey goat leather.
The bag went under the hammer in 2021 at Christie’s Hong Kong and sold for an eye-watering HK$4 million – US$510,000 – well over the highest estimated price. The sale made international headlines and solidified what handbag collectors worldwide already knew: the diamond Himalaya bag is the most coveted handbag in the world.
Why is this Kelly so coveted?
The Himalaya Kelly handbag is touted as the rarest handbag in the world and was once only known to the most dedicated Hermès bag collectors. That is until the year 2010, when Jean-Paul Gaultier sent a Himalaya Birkin down the runway, making it the most coveted handbag to own. Besides igniting the market for Birkins, it also pushed the smaller, single-handled Kelly model – even rarer in many cases – into the spotlight.
How did these handbags achieve such cachet? The answer lies in part in the construction and materials that go into these wearable works of art, a blend of timeless design with rare materials.
The “Himalaya” in the name comes from Nile crocodile hides that are dyed in such a way as to produce a gradual lightening, time-consuming to do and still a carefully guarded secret. The smoky grey tone of the hide then fades into a pearly white which is said to recall the majestic play of ice, snow and rock in the Himalayas.
The introduction of the Himalaya Birkin created such a phenomenon – thanks to collectors recognising the rarity and exquisite craftsmanship – that Hermès decided to craft a limited number of Himalaya Kelly bags. Released in 2014, they were reserved for, and offered to, only top buyers and Hermès VVIP’s.
How to bid for your own piece of handbag history
For more information on the Sotheby’s sale, including how to register and bid, visit their sealed auction website.
This platform provides a secure online environment for buyers to bid on all things luxury, and has launched a highly anticipated nine-day auction of what is arguably the world’s rarest and most sought-after handbag.
Bidding takes place on July 3-11, closing at 3pm Hong Kong time, and as this is a sealed auction, you will only be able to see your own bid, not the highest currently offered. If you are outbid, you will be contacted via email and can then increase the amount if you wish.
- Arguably the world’s rarest and most expensive handbag, this Kelly 28 is made from Nile crocodile leather and has a diamond-covered clasp and padlock
- In 2021, the same style sold for a record-setting US$510,000 at Christie’s Hong Kong, so expectations of a new record are high