The next chapter in the Hermès Kelly Doll story...

The next chapter in the Kelly Doll story has arrived! With the recent release of the much-anticipated Picto Kelly Dolls, we thought it a perfect time to flip back through the Kelly Doll’s previous editions. The Kelly Doll, or Quelle Idolle as it is formally known, was designed by Jean-Louis Dumas and first released in 2000. The whimsical mini bag with a pun for a name was originally sold as a child’s purse and retailed for around $2,500. Nine colorways were produced during this first period which lasted through 2004. Kelly Dolls in Orange H, Rouge H, Noisette and Black are the most common, those in Rouge Vif or Blue Sapphire are slightly more rare, and green Kelly Dolls from this period are the rarest in either Vert Cru, Vert Anis or Vert Olive.

After a brief hiatus Hermes brought back the Kelly Doll in 2008 in limited editions, many of which were specially produced for Hermes store openings. Examples from his era, which lasted through 2010, include new colorways of Vermillion, Blue Jean, and Orange H with Soleil details, as well as re-issued Orange H and Rouge H versions. The most valuable and sought after Kelly Doll from this period, though, and possibly the most sought-after leather Kelly Doll of them all, is the 5P Pink version produced in 2010 for the Sogo Hong Kong store opening.

In 2017 Hermes began producing Kelly Dolls again by special order through the HSS process. Leather Dolls could be ordered in a myriad of color combinations as well as matte alligator, and even sometimes lizard. In 2019 a series of non-HSS Kelly Dolls was released in very limited numbers. These include examples in Bleu Zellige, Curry and Magnolia. In 2020 Touch Kelly Dolls also began to emerge from Hermes’ workshops in Vert Cypress Swift with shiny Alligator details. An extremely limited edition of matte Indigo Alligator Kelly Dolls was also produced.

Production of the classic Kelly Doll we’ve come to love is seemingly halted again, but not without cause, as the latest version of this beloved Hermes character has taken over! The Picto Kelly Doll, which comes in Nata, Bleu Royale, Chai and Mauve Sylvestre colorways, takes the classic design and pixelates it. A Sellier construction of stepped edges and square features are completed with the addition of a new accessory: a backpack. The phone-size pouch that attaches to the Picto Kelly Doll’s back makes this version far more practical than the previous design, as does the Epsom leather which replaces the standard Swift used on the previous models. Examples have fast become a must-have for Hermes collectors everywhere, so don’t hesitate to get one while you can!