Bags of the Week: Hermès Minis
The rise in popularity of Hermes mini handbags has accelerated at an incredible rate over the last couple of years and with spring on the way, we have selected two Hermes minis as our bags of the week. Hermes minis are ideal for spring when the number of essential items women need to carry drops as the sun comes out, allowing fashionistas to downsize their bags for a daintier springtime look.
Miniature bags are categorized by their length, with any bag under 25cm generally considered to be a ‘mini’ or a ‘micro’ bag. They are the rarest sizes to find due to extremely limited production by Hermes and are only offered to very special VIP clients. For these reasons, we are very excited to have two minis featured in our bags of the week – the Hermes Birkin 25 Fuchsia Lizard and the Hermes Mini Kelly Miel Alligator.
Hermes Birkin 25 Fuchsia Lizard
An eye-catching and incredibly beautiful bag, this Hermes Birkin 25 Fuchsia Lizard is almost impossible to find anywhere else. The hot fuchsia color simply screams sun and fun, making it the perfect bag for the spring/summer season. Fuchsia is one of the most sought after colors on the Hermes color spectrum and was the color of the record-breaking $223,000 Hermes crocodile skin Birkin that was sold at auction last year. Achieving this color on lizard skin is a painstaking process that takes many hours to complete.
Speaking of lizard skin, the unique pattern created by the scales of this exotic skin provide the bag with an appealing and exceptional look. As all lizards feature one-off patterns on their scales, all Hermes bags crafted from lizard skins boast a pattern unlike any other lizard skin bag. On this bag, the delicate scales have been well cared for and remain in very good condition with the original pattern still visible and accentuated. Although a high level of maintenance is required in the upkeep of this lizard skin, being able to show off this wonderful bag makes it well worth the effort.
Emphasizing the wonderful fuchsia color of the bag is the palladium hardware found on the lock and clasp. The silver color of the palladium is the perfect complement to the hot pink color, setting the tone of the bag perfectly. The clasp features an engraving which reads ‘Hermes Paris’ while the attachments are secured to two strips of fuchsia lizard skin using small rivets for maximum durability and minimal visibility. The palladium detail is long lasting and the perfect hardware to provide a continual smooth motion when closing the clasp over many years.
Measuring 25cm in length x 18.5cm in height x 13cm in depth, this bag is the ideal size for a few spring essentials such as a mobile phone, makeup case, sunglasses, keys, and purse. The dainty size of the bag allows it to be comfortably carried in your hands rather than in the crook of the arm like some of the larger Birkins. Acquired in very good condition, meaning there may be some visible wear but the bag remains in near excellent condition, the bag comes with an original lock, keys, clochette, and dust bag. It is highly unlikely this bag will become available again in the foreseeable future, with a fuchsia mini Birkin among the rarest of all Hermes minis. A true masterpiece and one of our favorite Hermes minis, this Hermes Birkin 25 Fuchsia Lizard is currently available for $47,750.
Hermes Mini Kelly Miel Alligator
A bag that makes you instantly fall in love, this Hermes Mini Kelly Miel Alligator is incredibly rare and valuable. The miel color emanates sophistication and class, perfectly complementing the already refined Kelly design. Applying this color to alligator skin is a process that can takes months to achieve, which is the reason why miel is such a rare color in the Hermes catalogue. The dark tones work extremely well with the exotic alligator skin pattern, creating an iconic look that will turn heads and add chic to any spring or summer outfit.
As one of the rarest exotic skins produced by Hermes, alligator is highly sought after and it is extremely rare to find a mini Hermes Kelly in this material. The alligator skin is identifiable by the small square symbol located just beneath the ‘Hermes Paris Made in France’ stamp above the clasp. The handle and shoulder strap on the bag are also crafted from alligator skin to maintain the appearance of the bag. The shoulder strap can extend to a length of 16 inches, providing the option of carrying the bag over the shoulder as well as in the hand using the handle.
Accentuating the stunning miel color and alligator skin on the bag is the gold palladium hardware. The gold color completes the theme of the bag wonderfully and is found on the clasp, attachments, and clips for the shoulder strap. The attachments are secured to the straps using small rivets and feature an engraving which reads ‘Hermes Paris’. The palladium detail is hard wearing as well as beautiful with mechanics such as the turning of the clasp remaining smooth in motion for many years.
Measuring 8 inches in length x 5.5 inches in height x 4 inches in depth, this mini Kelly is the perfect evening bag, but also works as an ‘essentials only’ bag for the daytime. It is possible to fit a mobile phone, small makeup case, and purse inside without seeing any bulkiness in the bag at all. Of course, if you have some other essentials it is also possible to fit in a couple more items and still comfortably close the clasp and buckles. Acquired in excellent condition, meaning it is in near perfect condition, the bag comes with the original shoulder strap made from alligator and dyed a miel color. This bag is not only extremely difficult to find, but is also a timeless design with colors and material that will never go out of fashion. A wonderful piece of Hermes art, this Hermes Mini Kelly Miel Alligator is available for $24,999.
