The Kelly handbag is one of the most iconic luxury accessories in the world, its rich history and its unmatched silhouette make it a fashion statement worldwide. Reaching incredible values in auctions and the luxury resale market, the Kelly bag is able to retain its value and appreciate over the years.
However, this beautiful luxury piece is not free from malicious intentions, as there are thousands of counterfeiters that create fake copies of the iconic Hermès’ royalty bag. These imitations are so precise that they can be easily passed down as original handbags, this is why it is imperative that you learn how to identify the authenticity symbols of a Kelly bag.
At The Birkin’s & Kelly’s House we are committed to offer a clean and trustworthy service, this is why we want to provide you with a detailed guide to tell if a Kelly bag is authentic. Check each of these details and stay away from any scams!
- Materials and construction
- Interior
- Strap and handle
- Sizes
- Hardware
- Date stamps
- Prints
- Packaging
- Invoice
Materials and construction
Authenticating a Kelly handbag requires a sensory examination of its materials, engaging in touch, smell, and sight to ensure its legitimacy.
Material inspection begins with an analysis of the leather, the essence of the Hermès Kelly bag. Leather textures and appearances may differ based on the type used. Calfskin, commonly employed in Hermès bags, often exhibits a grainy texture, although certain variants may feature a smooth finish. Exotic materials like crocodile, alligator, lizard, or ostrich skin bear distinctive characteristics such as scales, pores, and a luxurious smoothness.
Scent is crucial to determining authenticity, as genuine leather emanates a unique, natural aroma that can vary with the bag’s age. A strong synthetic odor or a plastic-like feel is a telltale sign of a counterfeit Kelly. Weight can also validate authenticity. A genuine Kelly handbag, made with thick leather and brass hardware plated with precious metals, should be somehow heavy when lifted.
However, counterfeit bags can be incredibly convincing, replicating the materials and overall appearance. Some counterfeiters employ authentic leather from reputable sources, making identification more challenging.
The iconic silhouette of the Kelly handbag must be impeccable to affirm its authenticity. It boasts a trapezoidal shape with a sturdy top handle, a straight, uninterrupted flap, and two closure straps culminating in the classic turning lock. Symmetry and proportion are critical, and the bag should stand upright without tilting.
Structure variations arise from the Sellier or Retourné styles. Sellier Kellys exude a firm, angular demeanor, with visible exterior stitches. In contrast, Retourné Kellys offer a more relaxed, slouchy appearance, employing internal stitching and the piping method, rendering it invisible from the outside.
Seams are crucial authenticity markers. They must be consistent, symmetrical, and diagonally stitched using high-quality linen thread, exhibiting no fraying or glued edges.
The rectangular base of the Kelly bag features four studs crafted from the same material and plating as the rest of the bag, ensuring stability when placed on a surface.
Quality extends to the inner lining, typically fashioned from goat or lambskin. Flawless stitching with no loose threads or irregularities is a hallmark of authenticity.
Interior
Ensuring the authenticity of a Kelly handbag requires a thorough examination of its inner features. A genuine Kelly bag should be equipped with two inner pockets: one featuring a zip closure on the back panel and another without a zipper on the front panel.
The back pocket zipper should align seamlessly with the zipper teeth, situated in a horizontal orientation. The leather used for the inner zipper should have a soft and refined quality, different from the coarse and thick material often found in counterfeit counterparts. The leather piece adorning the zipper mechanism should perfectly match the bag’s color and skin, boasting a distinctive diamond-like shape. The zipper should effortlessly glide without encountering any obstruction or resistance.
Strap and handle
The hallmark of a Kelly bag, its distinctive handle, is very important and showcases the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into its creation. Crafting this handle alone demands around three and a half hours, using six pieces of leather aligned atop one another. This craftsmanship results in a convex upper portion and a concave lower section, ensuring a comfortable and secure grip. The handle should be firm, thick, and sturdy, designed to provide an ideal grip for the arm or hand.
Two rings, crafted from the same high-quality hardware as the rest of the bag, are positioned on either side of the handle. These rings serve as attachment points for a strap, enabling the bag to be elegantly carried over the shoulder. In the case of the Kelly II model, four rings are featured on the handle—two in the original location and two additional rings affixed to the originals. This modification enhances the stability of the strap attachment, facilitating versatile shoulder or crossbody carry options.
The strap of the Kelly bag should be fashioned from the same leather and color used for the handbag’s construction. Besides, metal components, such as clasps for connecting the strap to the rings, should be plated with matching metals consistent with the rest of the bag. The stitching on both the strap and handle must exhibit qualities of diagonality, symmetry, and uniformity, attesting to the bag’s authenticity and superior craftsmanship.
Sizes
Hermès Kelly bags offer a diverse selection of sizes and models, but within the standard Kelly handbag range, five distinct sizes exist: 25, 28, 32, 35, and 40. To confirm the authenticity of a Kelly bag, it is crucial to measure its base from one side to the other, and it should match the size provided by Hermès in centimeters. This verification ensures that you’re purchasing a genuine bag, and not a counterfeit.
Hardware
The hardware of a Kelly handbag, like all Hermès creations, boasts exceptional craftsmanship. Its foundation is crafted from brass, subsequently plated with various precious metals such as gold, palladium, permabrass, or ruthenium, among other options available for Hermès handbags.
The pivotal hardware component in a Kelly bag is the turning closure, and its functionality is very important. The turning closure should execute smooth and precise rotations, functioning seamlessly with the hardware of the closing straps. Hermès takes pride in the durability of its hardware when properly maintained. Therefore, if you encounter hardware that tarnishes or peels excessively, or if the material underneath the peeling differs in color, you are likely dealing with a poor-quality counterfeit Kelly bag.
When inspecting the hardware of a Hermès Kelly bag, it is imperative to ensure uniformity in the materials and plating. For example, if the bag boasts gold-plated hardware, every individual metal component should exhibit a consistent gold plating, avoiding any combination of gold and palladium. This attention to detail is essential.
Within the realm of Hermès Kelly bags, the clochette holds great significance as it houses the padlock and keys. These hardware components serve not only to secure the contents within the handbag but also to authenticate the Kelly itself.
The padlock should be plated with the same precious metal as the rest of the bag. Its design is elegantly minimalist, featuring the iconic “H” emblem, masterfully depicted with clean lines on both faces of the padlock. On the padlock, you’ll find an engraving of the word “Hermès” at the base, along with an engraved number that corresponds to the keys. This number is essential, as it means that the padlock can be unlocked with these specific keys. Notably, the word “Hermès” engraved at the padlock’s base should include the letter “e” with a French accent mark.
The keys themselves are equally vital elements to inspect. Both keys should be identical, with matching teeth distribution, engraved numbers, and a straightforward line design at the top. They must also harmonize with the hardware found throughout the rest of the Kelly bag. This attention to detail is crucial when verifying the authenticity of a Hermès Kelly handbag.
Hermès is renowned for its unwavering commitment to details that extends to the engravings that authenticate their products, setting them apart from imitations. Within the Hermès Kelly bag, you’ll find a distinct engraving that reads “Hermès – Paris” on the front of the plaque of the left closure strap. These letters are presented in capital form, with a perfectly proportioned font size that harmonizes with the available space.
In addition to the brand name engraving, an important detail is visible in Kelly bags featuring gold-plated hardware, whether it’s yellow, rose, or white gold. Every Kelly handbag adorned with gold hardware should bear the engraving of a small square symbol adjacent to the words “Hermès – Paris” on the left plaque. This symbol signifies the presence of 100% genuine gold plating. However, it’s crucial to note that this symbol should not appear if the bag incorporates any other type of hardware besides gold.
The Kelly bag’s strap also boasts engravings, specifically on the clasps designed to connect to the handle rings. Here, you’ll find the word “Hermès” engraved, complete with the French accent mark, positioned at the base of the clasp. These intricate engravings serve as undeniable markers of authenticity in Hermès Kelly handbags.
Date stamps
The authenticity of a Kelly handbag is significantly influenced by the presence of a date stamp, a code that unveils the year of creation and the serial number of the craftsmen responsible for its crafting.
Located inside the upper left portion of the bag, the date stamp is composed of three letters and three numbers, accompanied by two additional letters below. The first letter denotes the bag’s year of creation. While the stamp’s legibility can sometimes be challenging, depending on the leather type and color intensity, it should always remain readable.
It should be noted that for vintage Hermès bags crafted between 1945 and 2016, the date stamp is positioned on the interior of the left closure strap. Therefore, you should pay attention to this detail to authenticate pre-loved or older Kelly bags.
To have a better understanding about the Hermès date stamps, check out this detailed guide.
Prints
The print on a Hermès Kelly bag plays a significant role in verifying its authenticity. Positioned beneath the closing flap, just above the turning closure and a few millimeters below the top seams, the print should unequivocally display “Hermès – Paris – Made in France” in capital letters.
Examining the font of the print reveals a critical authenticity indicator. It should maintain consistency and clarity, with a distinctive French accent mark on the second “e” in “Hermès.” Equally important is the color of the print, which should harmonize with the hue of the hardware. For instance, if the hardware boasts a palladium finish, the print should exhibit a silver tone.
The Kelly bag’s strap is not the exception. It also bears a print reading “Hermès – Paris – Made in France,” positioned near one of the clasps. The color of this print should seamlessly match the bag’s hardware, serving as another key authenticity feature to verify.
Aside from the regular prints present on the Hermès bags, some exotic combinations boast unique symbols near the “Hermès – Paris – Made in France” stamp, denoting crucial information about the bag’s distinct characteristics. These symbols serve as markers of the bag’s exotic skin origin or its status as a custom order crafted to meet a specific client’s desires. This print can also be referenced to assess the authenticity of the piece.
Here you can consult a guide to Hermès’ handbags special symbols.
Packaging
In the realm of Hermès Kelly bags, authenticity goes beyond physical attributes and extends to the packaging. While not every Kelly in the luxury resale market will be accompanied by a box and dust bag, these elements play a vital role in differentiating between genuine and counterfeit pieces.
The classic orange Hermès box, adorned with a discreet Hermès logo on the lid, should snugly house the handbag, aligning with its size. The dust bag, either white or light beige, exhibits the Hermès logo—a double-circle design featuring the emblematic “H” and a finely detailed illustration portraying a horse, cart, and a standing figure.
The cord that closes the dust bag should be light brown, with a precise width of 2 centimeters. Additionally, the pendant or clochette, housing the key and padlock of the Kelly bag, is accompanied by its own small dust bag for exclusive storage.
To further authenticate the box, a UV light test can be conducted. Illuminating the box’s surface with a UV flashlight should reveal multiple Hermès logos in invisible ink, with variations in opacity observed between different boxes. It must be noted that older bags’ boxes won’t have the UV light test possibility, as the system was not yet implemented at the time. A complete Kelly package should also include a rain cover tailored to the bag’s specific size, and a little book that details the bag’s leather.
Invoice
Authenticating a Hermès Kelly handbag goes beyond its physical attributes; invoices play a pivotal role in this process. Invoices provide a wealth of information, including details like color, size, hardware, and skin, facilitating a direct comparison with the date stamp inside the bag. This ensures that the Kelly bag matches the description provided in the invoice.
There are three key documents that stand as authentication pillars: the invoice itself, the payment ticket, and live proof of the bank transaction. Together, these elements solidify the authenticity of a Kelly bag.
Examining the date, time, and amount featured in these documents can effectively confirm the authenticity of a Kelly bag that has already undergone a physical inspection. Acquiring and preserving these documents assures the authenticity of purchases.
Authenticating Hermès Kelly handbags is an intricate process that needs a complete approach, including both physical characteristics and documentation validation.
By following these guidelines and checking every aspect of a Kelly handbag, you can be safe and avoid any possible scam that may arise online. However, the better way to secure a safe purchase and be 100% sure of the genuineness of your Kelly bag is by only buying from trustworthy sources.
At The Birkin’s & Kelly’s House we guarantee the total authenticity of our products, as they are bought directly from official Hermès stores. Best of all we provide the key elements that you need to assess the accessory’s genuineness, as well as a previously inspected handbag. All of our bags are brand new in box!
If you want to purchase a Kelly handbag in a safe and reputable environment, visit our online store and find the bag of your dreams.
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