At almost 60 years old, you’d think that the Hermès Constance handbag design might look a little out of date, or old fashioned but no, it’s still going strong and is going through a surge in popularity. Over the last two years rumours of it being discontinued have abounded, (as they have for the famous Himalaya Birkin handbag), but instead of it being discontinued, we are seeing more models of it being designed and released.
Favoured by Jackie Onassis back in the 1960’s, the Hermès Constance can be seen carried by actress Diane Kruger, the socialite Nicky Hilton, the former Mrs Abramovich, Dasha Zhukova, amongst several others.
The simple and elegant design of the Hermès Constance features the iconic H clasp on the front flap, and a long leather strap which can also be doubled to carry the bag in the hand.
Bamboo Constance in Swift Leather with Palladium Hardware
The Constance has been the subject of a few minor redesigns over the years, but the sleek lines and distinctive curves have been maintained and the bag has lost none of its appeal. It is the most complicated of the Hermès bags to make, with an intricate design, and as a result the price is more than you would expect for a small Hermès bag, at €7,000 for a standard 24cm calf leather.
Particularly popular at the moment is the Constance Mini which measures 18cm by 15cm by 6cm: it’s just big enough to carry a few daytime essentials (as long as you travel light), and small enough to make a neat little evening bag. Lilac Blue London currently has available a lovely selection of this cute bag – a vivid Bamboo Constance in Swift Leather with Palladium Hardware, an even brighter Hermès Constance Lagoon Tadelakt with Palladium Hardware, an Orange Poppy Constance in Swift Leather and a very chic Hermès Constance 18cm Black Optique Veau Monsieur Enamel with enamel hardware.
The next size up is the 24cm by 15cm x 5cm, not much larger but possibly a little more practical as a daytime bag. The Constance 24cm Beton Evercolor is a very versatile cool pale grey shade with rose gold hardware or if you prefer a gorgeous summer colour, the Constance 24cm Rose Extreme Epsom is always a sought after shade for the warmer months!
In 2010 Hermès offered a slightly longer and slimmer version, the Constance Elan, measuring 25cm x 14cm x 8cm which has the look more of a clutch bag than a shoulder bag. It’s particularly hard to find but there are occasionally preloved bags available.
Hermes Constance 25cm Black Elan Silk GHW – Vintage
If you’re a lover of Hermès Vintage, then how about this absolutely beautiful Hermès Constance 25cm Black Elan Silk GHW in Black Silk with Gold Hardware? Carry this and you will, without doubt feel like Jackie O!
A brand new model this month has the optique clasp, an enamelled multi coloured highly-textured clasp, which Hermès traditionally used on bracelets. Another lovely aspect of this Hermes Constance 18cm Black Optique Veau Monsieur Enamel is the new leather being used for it: it’s called Veau Monsieur, which we are calling Gentleman’s Calfskin. You have to love the translation.
Hermes Constance 18cm Black Optique Veau Monsieur Enamel
Do get in touch if you’d like more information on the Hermès Constance, Hermès Birkin or Hermès Kelly, or arrange to come and visit our Mayfair Showroom, close to Bond Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly.
Please either email us at contact@lilacblue.com or call us on +44 (0)845 224 8876
