— AUCTIONS —
Luxury Hermès Haut À Courroies ‘Pour Lui’ —
Now, I am getting away from myself - back to the Haut
ABOVE: A HAUT A COURROIES TRAVEL BAG BY HERMÈS $6,000-8,000
A true gentleman’s accessory and testament to chic
à Courroies. By the turn of the 20th Century, the Haut
style and masculinity, the Hermès Haut à Courroies is
à Courroies had come into its own as the ultimate travel
a true ‘must have’ bag for the fashion-conscious male.
bag. With the advent of the automobile, it was the perfect
It was originally created by Émile-Maurice Hermès,
companion for the traveller, perhaps the original overnight
who modelled it after the tote bags used by the
bag. At its conception, it was mainly used to protect
Argentinian cowboys he saw whilst on a trip to South
and transport saddles and riding boots, however it soon
America. It has been part of the Hermès luxury offerings
become a symbol of practicality and elegance for the well
since 1892. Unlike many of the products from the Hermès
to do traveller.
range, it has stayed true to its large and imposing form which, in my opinion, makes it the perfect ‘He-Bag’.
Jumping forward to the 21st Century, the Haut à Courroies has remained relevant and popular amongst fashionistas
The Classic Hermès Birkin bag was in fact modelled on the
worldwide. Traditional sizes from 40cm through to 55cm are
Haut à Courroies, made shorter and smaller, with longer
still in demand. There are newer sizes available as special
handles designed for toting over the arm. Everyone knows
orders, including 28cm, 32cm and 36cm, however these
the story about Jane Birkin disgracing herself by dropping
sizes are not for traditionalists of this iconic bag. If I had my
all her personal belongings on an airplane floor, as she
choice, a 55cm ‘Vache Naturelle’ leather Haut à Courroies
did not have an appropriate handbag, whilst on an Air
would suit me down to the ground.
France flight to Paris. It just so happened that Hermès
JOHN D'AGATA / Head of Luxury
chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was on the same flight and ‘Sacrebleu…I must do something to help the women of the world from this catastrophe’, he is purported to have exclaimed. Hence in 1984, the Birkin was born.
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