Which actress gave her name to Hermès’s Kelly bag?

Grace Kelly gave her name to Hermès’s Kelly bag.

The bag was originally known as the Sac à dépêches, a structured Hermès design created for carrying documents. It became strongly associated with Grace Kelly after photographs showed the actress and Princess of Monaco using it to shield her pregnancy from cameras in 1956. Hermès later officially renamed the design the Kelly bag in her honor.

The Kelly is recognized for its trapezoidal shape, top handle, flap, and distinctive turn-lock closure. It is produced in several sizes, materials, and colors, and it remains one of the house’s best-known designs.

The Kelly should not be confused with the Birkin bag. The Birkin was named after singer and actress Jane Birkin and has a different origin story. Both names refer to real women, but only Grace Kelly is connected with the Kelly bag.