HERMES c.1970's Classic Brown Calfskin Suede Leather Pencil Skirt
View Similar Items
HERMES c.1970's Classic Brown Calfskin Suede Leather Pencil Skirt
About the Item
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness. As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity. In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key. Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings. Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- EMILIO PUCCI c.1969 Multicolor Signature Print Op Art A-Line Pleated Mini SkirtBy Emilio PucciLocated in Thiensville, WIBrand / Manufacturer: Emilio Pucci Circa: 1969 Designer: Emilio Pucci Style: Mini Skirt Color(s): Shades of green, pink, purple, white, black Lined: No Marked Fabric Content: "100% cotton" (primary fabric) Additional Details / Inclusions: Emilio Pucci circa 1969 mini skirt. Structured material, little to no stretch or give to fabric. A-line silhouette to skirt. Banded waistband. Vertical stripe down center front leading to matching banding around hemline; mirrors on back of skirt. Darts extend from waistband on back of skirt for shaping. Big box...Category
1960s Italian A-Line Skirts
$447 Sale Price50% Off - GIORGIO ARMANI c.1980’s Brown Tweed Wool Pleated Wrap Buckle A-Line SkirtBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in Thiensville, WIGIORGIO ARMANI c.1980’s Brown Tweed Wool Pleated Wrap Buckle A-Line Skirt Circa: 1980’s Designer: Giorgio Armani Style: Wrap / A-Line Skirt Color(s): Shades of brown and gray Li...Category
1980s Italian Wrap Skirts
$367 Sale Price50% Off - ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 Green Camouflage Knee Length Pencil SkirtBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 Green Camouflage Knee Length Pencil Skirt Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 1998 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Pen...Category
1990s Italian Pencil Skirts
$1,047 Sale Price50% Off - GUCCI c.2019 Purple Gold Marmont GG Doubloon Harness Silk Pleated SkirtBy Alessandro Michele, GucciLocated in Thiensville, WIGUCCI c.2019 Purple Gold Marmont GG Doubloon Bridle Harness Silk Pleated Skirt Brand / Manufacturer: Gucci Circa: 2019 Designer: Alessandro Michele Style: P...Category
2010s Italian Pleated Skirts
$1,147 Sale Price50% Off - CHANEL Spring 2006 Karl Lagerfeld Bronze Gold Silk Paneling A-Line Mini SkirtBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Thiensville, WIBrand / Manufacturer: Chanel Collection: Spring 2006 Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Style: Mini skirt Color(s): Shades of bronze/gold Lined: Yes Marked Fabric Content: "100% silk" (primary fabric), "100% silk" (lining) Additional Details / Inclusions: Chanel spring 2006...Category
Early 2000s French A-Line Skirts
$277 Sale Price50% Off - DOLCE & GABBANA A/W 2010 Black Gray Plaid Tweed Lace Trim Panel Sheath SkirtBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Thiensville, WIDOLCE & GABBANA A/W 2010 Black Gray Plaid Tweed Lace Trim Panel Sheath Skirt Brand / Manufacturer: Dolce & Gabbana Collection: A/W 2010 Designer: Stefano Gabbana, Domenico Dolce Sty...Category
2010s Italian Pencil Skirts
$272 Sale Price50% Off
- Michael Kors Collection Size 12 Pink + Brown + Tan 2000s Cotton Striped SkirtBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 2000s MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Size 12 striped cotton skirt ! Features pretty colors of pink, brown, tan and white throughout. Hidden zipper up the side with hook-and-eye c...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Vintage Diane Freis Nautical Crest ' Anchor ' Maxi Skirt or DressBy Diane FreisLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage Diane Freis / Diane Fres maxi nautical skirt, OR strapless dress! Nautical theme, with anchor prints throughout. Elastic waistband, whi...Category
1980s A-Line Skirts
$295 Sale Price25% Off - Giani Versace for Laurel Printed SkirtBy Gianni VersaceLocated in San Francisco, CAGiani Versace for Laurel Printed Skirt. A unique and interesting piece designed by Versace for Laurel. It demonstrates the trade mark Versace print in ...Category
1960s French Skirts
- Vintage Summer Tiered SkirtLocated in London, GBA fun vintage cotton skirt in a great print mix, and in tiers so it wooshes wonderfully as you walk by. In a great colour combination and if yo...Category
1970s Unknown Skirts
- Ziba Moda Italy Multi Colour Silk SkirtLocated in London, GBA fun silk skirt for Summer by Ziba Moda. In dfferenct colour tiers with a net frill in the final tier, the skirt has an elasticated waist and will fit waist 26 '' - 34''. length 41''Category
1980s Unknown Skirts
- 1980s Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti light brown / nude skirt NWOTBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Capri, IT1980s Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti light brown / nude skirt NWOT Made in italy Size: italian 44 Composition: 100 % cottonCategory
1980s Italian Skirts
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.