2000s Hermes Kelly Doll Bags Sell for $100,000 Now

These Bush-era bags have returned in a big way

News

By RC Staff

17 June 2023

Key Points

Retailing for $2,500 from 2000 to 2005, these bags are quirky offshoots of Hermès’ ultra-popular Kelly Bags
Since 2015, auctions have attracted steadily higher prices. Recent sales are past the $100,000 mark
Emblematic of the gradual reclamation of the 2000s, these bags have been undervalued like many products of the millennium

Hey RC reader, are you looking for a new purse? If you don’t mind dropping a cool 100K, then check out these neat Kelly Doll bags. Produced in the early 2000s, these handbags are a perfect distillation of the weirder days of that decade. Bright, colorful, and full of personality, these bags weren’t too notable when they were first sold. After 20 years and a major rehabbing of the 2000s, Kelly Dolls suddenly became cool, and now sell for truly remarkable prices.

What are Kelly Doll bags?

If you’re familiar with collectable bags, then you’ll know Hermès. Established in 1837, the company has a long history dealing with the desirable and hard-to-acquire. The Kelly Bag, produced since 1935, is a popular part of their line-up.

These feature the highest quality leathers available, requiring hours of stitching by hand before they’re ready. The success of these bags have led to several offshoots, among them the Kelly Doll.

Debuting in 2000, these were a goofier take on the chic Kelly Bag. They had arms. And legs. And faces too, with silly grins. They came in a wide range of bright, daring colors, with orange and black being the most popular.

The bags retailed for the same as regular Kellys, around $2,500, and were moderately popular during their production run. In fact, up until around 2015, they kept pace with other Hermès bags on the aftermarket, often times actually running slightly cheaper.

Why are Kelly Doll bags so expensive?

As time passed, the standout aspects of the bag found appreciation. What was before a mildly tacky handbag was seen as an endearing example of 2000s playfulness. It was fun! It became clear that they were worth more than the $4,000-$5,000 they were bringing in. Auctions began to attract tens of thousands of dollars, and by late 2015, the expected price was $20,000.

Now, certain Kelly Dolls that are in perfect condition can go for more than $100,000. For a bag produced only 20 years ago, this is an unprecedented increase in value. For comparison, standard Kelly Bags from the same period are valued at $10,000-$15,000, while the more exclusive Birkin Bags are worth around $20,000. Clearly the Kelly Dolls have endeared themselves among collectors, and it is likely that they will retain their value for years to come.

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