Hermès Constance

With approximately 50 different pieces of leather to which is required with every Constance, it takes an artisan about fourteen hours to produce one bag alone. The expert in craft as well as the gusset component used to make the product is the backbone of what holds together the durability and longevity of the Constance. One may have one or two gussets in their Constance which allows the accordion-style body to expand and fit your everyday items. For the most part, a number of different sizes are still produced, with the exception of the Constance 23, 25 (Not the Elan) and 29  which was soon discontinued after its arrival.
Hermès Constance

Hermès Constance 14 Micro

Hermès Constance

Hermès Constance 18 Mini

Hermès Constance

Hermès Constance 24

Hermès Constance

Hermès Constance 25 Elan

Hermès Constance

Hermès Constance 29 Cartable

About Hermès

Since 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisanal model and its humanist values. The freedom to create, the constant quest for beautiful materials, and the transmission of exceptional know-how – which enable the creation of useful, and elegant objects which stand the test of time – forge the uniqueness of Hermès. Family-run, independent and socially responsible, the company is committed to maintaining the majority of its production in France, through its 43 production sites, while developing its international distribution network of 311 stores in 45 countries.

Leather, Skins, & Material

Offered in a wide range of different leathers and skins, the most popular types of leather used to craft the Hermès Constance include Epsom and Evercolor. Other leathers include Box Calf, Tadelakt, Swift, Sombrero and Chevre Mysore. Exotic skins include Ostrich, Alligator, Crocodile Niloticus (matte and shiny) and Crocodile Porosus.

History of the Constance

Designed in 1959, the bag had been named after the fifth-child of the Constance Inventor, Catherine Chaillet, as the bag had coincidentally come out from the production studio the same day Chaillet’s child was born. The bag gained its popularity notably under the arms of the former First Lady of The United States, Jacqueline Kennedy who favoured the functionality of the shoulder strap feature. 

How to Buy

Constance bags are sold through the Hermès boutiques, however due to its limited availability, Hermès has created a lottery system in their flagship Faubourg Saint Honore store in Paris where you must register yourself a day in advance to see if you can get a “Leather Goods” appointment the very next day. If you are one of the lucky few that got yourself an appointment, you can ask for the Constance and based on availability be offered one. However, color combination or leathers is still extremely limited and you often have to buy what is offered without much choices to speak of.