Hermès Kellymorphose: The Kelly Bag Reimagined As Jewellery
The exhibition explores, in detail, the components that make up the iconic Kelly bag.
From 19 to 27 February, the French luxury Maison Hermès will be staging an exhibition for its new Kellymorphose fine jewellery collection.
The inspiration for this release is the brand’s iconic Kelly bag — from the clasp to the padlock and key — which has been reimagined into precious jewellery by the creative director of Hermès jewellery, Pierre Hardy.
“The Kelly bag elevates its functional components: The side straps, and an elemental clasp consisting of a turnlock, a plate and four studs. I do the same with Kelly jewellery, by reinterpreting or disrupting its original lines,” Hardy said in a statement.
For this collection, Hardy deconstructed the Kelly bag into its most emblematic features. These parts are converted into ornaments that can be worn in different styles: necklaces, bracelets, double rings, belts and earrings. Crafted in rose or white gold, some pieces also feature silver, diamonds and black spinels.
Spread across seven different themes, the highlight of the collection is the Kelly Gavroche necklace. This stunning piece is made of white gold and encrusted with 1,771 diamonds. The Kelly’s clasp is a recurring motif throughout the collection and here, it is set with baguette-cut diamonds.
Another signature piece from the collection is the Sac Bijou Kelly in silver. This is Hardy’s playful take on the bag. Not only can it be worn as a necklace, the piece can also be opened up to house a few items like a credit card, lipstick and even an Airpods.
Just like how the Kelly bag is highly versatile with its numerous colour options, styles and sizes, its bejewelled counterpart also exemplifies this quality. The idea is to have the wearer explore multiple styles — from varying lengths to pairing with other accessories, there are options aplenty.
French jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels is also holding an exhibition (till 20 February) where it celebrates the four pillars that inform the ethereal and whimsical world of the brand: love stories, fairies and ballerinas, Poetic Astronomy and Enchanting Nature. These themes are set in a dreamlike recreating of the streets in Paris, and visitors can explore and learn more about these inspirations in the different galleries.
The Hermès Kellymorphose exhibition will run from 19 to 27 February 2022. Click here to make an appointment.
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