Hermes Collection in 2011 Autumn

Hermès is renowned for its handmade luggage and handbags. The company does not use assembly lines. Only one craftsperson, who may have been employed by the company for decades, makes a single handbag at a time, hand-stitching individual pieces with linen thread and using an awl. One bag might require 18 to 24 hours to produce. The construction of each "Kelly" bag, for example, requires 18 hours to fully realize.[4] Hermès's leathers come from all over the world. Claims abound that customers must wait one year for delivery of the "Kelly" and "Contance" bags are not true. Incidentally, should Hermès's leather goods require repair, owners can bring an item to any Hermès store, where it will be shipped to the Atelier Hermès in Pantin, near Paris, for repair or reconditioning.

Another famous Hermès handbag, the "Birkin", was named after British actress Jane Birkin. After a chance encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas, she complained that her "Kelly" bag was not practical for everyday use. Consequently, he invited her to France where they co-designed the bag. Ironically, Ms. Birkin has since stopped carrying her namesake bag, saying it contributed to her tendonitis. Nevertheless, the bag is highly popular with others, regardless of its very high price.