The acclaimed French atelier Hermès has been recognized over the years for its trends in the world of luxury bags, with its outstanding Kelly and Birkin, which were born to make history. However, when the Hermès brand is mentioned, the iconic Constance bag, another of the favorites of celebrities and important personalities, cannot be ignored.
The influence of the Constance has become increasingly important today, thanks to the boom in the luxury market in which Hermès stands out and is positioned as the preferred brand, both in auctions and in regular purchases.
This functional bag is characterized by its “H” shaped clasp that highlights the brand name and exalts its attention to detail in the process of tailoring the bags.
Have you ever thought of purchasing a Constance from Hermès?
Do you want to know more about this luxury accessory? Here we will show you a little about its history, its different models, characteristics and special editions. Pay attention and prepare to buy your first Constance!
- The birth of the Constance urban bag
- Tailoring and characteristics
- Sizes and versions
- Special editions
The birth of the Constance urban bag
Just three years after the huge success of the Kelly handbag in the hands of Princess Grace Kelly, the Hermès brand was at one of its highest points in terms of popularity and profits, so its anonymous designers dedicated themselves to working tirelessly to continue to produce models at a steady rate.
Under the supervision of the then director of Hermès, Robert Dumas Hermès, a designer emerged who had a brilliant idea for the next success of the brand. It was Catherine Chaillet who decided to create a lightweight and sporty bag perfect for the active women of the moment, an urban bag with a chic look and a functional structure.
Chaillet had recently given birth to her fifth daughter, little Constance, which is how she named her design in honor of her daughter. The birth of the Constance bag was greeted with great emotion in the atelier and approved by Robert Dumas Hermès.
In the years that followed, the Constance bag became famous thanks to countless celebrities who chose it as their ideal choice for everyday life, including the then First Lady of the United States, Jacqueline Lee Kennedy. The Constance quickly became a favorite with fashionistas. A wonderful bag for modern women!
Tailoring and characteristics
Hermès is a unique brand whose origins are linked to the creation of horse riding implements, hence its exclusive sewing technique, the diagonal stitches handmade by expert craftsmen, individuals skilled in the art of creating each bag to perfection, making gala of original Hermès standards.
Making a Constance requires at least 14 to 18 hours of work by the brand’s artisans, taking into account the processing of the leather and the different metallic materials that are applied to the body of the bag, such as the iconic “H” shaped clasp.
Constance hardware is traditionally made with gold and palladium plating, although other valuable metals have been implemented over the years.
In its original versions, the Constance stood out for the use of tanned calf leather, which is obtained through a polishing process. This leather is characterized by its soft and lustrous texture.
However, crocodile and lizard skins used to be implemented recurrently in their early years. Today it is possible to find Constance bags in a wide variety of leathers and colors.
The Constance is considered a sporty and cool bag, its structure is square and firm, with a wide flap that fits into an “H” shaped clasp, undoubtedly the biggest attraction of this small and compact bag. Inside it there is a delicate lambskin lining. It also has a double strap at the top, which can be adjusted to be worn over the shoulder or across the body. So versatile!
If you want to learn more about the Constance characteristics, check this authentication guide.
Sizes and versions
Since its inception in 1959, the Constance has seen very little variation from its original design, relatively less than its sister bags the Kelly and Birkin.
However, the Constance is available in different sizes and versions to suit the needs of each woman. Today the following can be found: micro (14 cm.), Mini (18 cm.), 24, and the Elan, a rectangular model that has 25 centimeters.
The sizes of Hermès bags are evidenced by the number of centimeters measured at their base. This rule applies to Constances in all their versions. It should be noted that there is also a variation of the Constance called cartable (backpack), that measures 29 centimeters and its handle is shorter.
Special editions
The exclusivity of the Hermès brand is recognized in the fashion scene, especially for its implementation of seasonal designs and special limited editions.
In the case of the Constance, there are several unforgettable editions that have given much to talk about and that hopefully can be found in the different auctions and second-hand markets.
These are the special editions of the Constance of Hermès:
Constance Marquette
This special version of Constance is made using a technique called marquetry, which involves sewing exotic materials onto pieces of wood or metal.
In this model crocodile and lizard skins are combined with tadelakt calf leather. The final effect is that of a leather base on the bag and another on the closing clasp in the shape of an “H”. The combinations come in different colors. A collectable Constance!
Constance On a Summer Day On a Summer Night
This limited exclusive line was released as the Hermès spring / summer 2017 collection. In this collection, the artisans collaborated with the artist Nigel Peake to create two pieces that evoke day and night, alluding to another Birkin design called “One, Two, Three and Away We Go”.
The bright colors of On a Summer Day and the dark gradient patterns of On a Summer Night Are truly unique.
Constance Optique
This model from the 2018 spring season surprised the brand’s customers with an innovative, illusory linear pattern closure. This Constance comes in different color combinations and is a collectible accessory.
Constance Tattersall
This Constance pays tribute to the English auction house Tattersall, founded in London in 1766, renowned for its clientele of royalty and high society.
With this bag from the autumn / winter 2016 collection, Hermès shows its respect and appreciation for the English tradition.
Constance Déchaînée
Like the special editions of her sister bags Birkin and Kelly, the Constance gets its version Déchaînée (unchained) in the year 2017. This chain design is a classic from Hermès, and it comes in black and burgundy in swift leather.
Constance Au Bout Du Monde
Hermès innovation and detail do not go unnoticed with their creation of the Constance Au Bout Du Monde (at the end of the world), inspired by the design of a scarf by Antoine Carbonne titled in the same way.
Hermès pays homage with its combination of different types of leathers in a modern pattern, which transcends its “H” shaped clasp. A piece of this exclusive model was sold at auction house Christie’s on June 11, 2018.
Constance metallic
In the mid-2000s, Hermès launched a collection of Constance bags in metallic tones; including gold, silver and bronze.
All three variations were made of chèvre goatskin. Soon the exclusive model was a hit in the initial market and has now taken on an exorbitant value in the second hand. An extremely valuable investment!
Tricolor Crocodile Constance
This exquisite model from Constance stands out for its combination of niloticus crocodile skins in exuberant colors; like electric blue on the base, purple on the flap and blue tempête (storm) on the front panel.
As if that were not enough, the characteristic “H” shaped clasp stands out in an electric blue as does the strap and the base. This extravagant variation of the Constance became a favorite at Christie’s auction in Hong Kong on November 28, 2018.
Constance’s diamond
Hermès has been characterized by its elegance over the years, applying precious stones and high-class metals such as gold and palladium to its creations.
The Constance is not far behind, as the brand created a variation of the bag in porosus crocodile leather in blue jean color, with its clasp covered with diamonds and lined with 18-carat gold. Very sophisticated!
Due to the great popularity of this model, Hermès developed the possibility of customizing these Constance diamond bags, to implement the different leathers and color combinations to suit the customer.
The Constance involves one of the best kept relics of Hermès, along with its other two members who constitute the trinity of luxury bags: Kelly, Birkin and Constance. An element that positions Hermès as the star brand when it comes to exclusive accessories.
The Constance represents functionality, freshness, femininity and a touch of elegance. The perfect ingredients to show status!
Are you ready to buy your Constance? We invite you to enter our online store and reserve your favorite Constance today.