An Introduction to Hermes Himalayan

History of the Hermès Himalayan

While Hermès has introduced more limited edition bags in recent seasons, the most sought after bag remains the Hermès Himalayan. The Hermès Himalaya is named after the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains. Every Hermès Himalayan is only offered in a matte finish and is hand buffed with felt wool. This process creates a unique gradation that results in a truly one of a kind Hermès bag. While the Hermès Himalayan regularly leads the charts for most expensive Hermès bag, the bag's matte finish and stippled gray degradé mask most common signs of use.

The Hermès Himalayan takes its inspiration from early crocodile and alligator bags that, if not dyed black or brown, would be lightened to highlight the skin's natural coloring. This natural ombré went out of style as dyeing techniques improved, creating more and more possibilities for colorful exotic Hermès bags. In the early 1990’s, Hermès began developing a new shiny ombré crocodile that would become known as Natura Vert Celadon. This bag is the first link in the Hermès Himalayan chain.

The earliest known Hermès Celadon Himalayas were produced in 1994, with the final examples leaving Hermès’ ateliers in 2008. These shiny pale green ombré alligator Hermès bags are incredibly rare on the secondary market. The first example to appear at Sotheby's is available in the Paris 2024 sale. The Natura Vert Celadon Kelly 32 from 1995 sold for 42,000 Euro and is in very good vintage condition. This rare Kelly bag is the ultimate for the Hermès collector that wants to own the bag that inspired the modern Hermès Himalayan. 

Hermès Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile

Unsurprisingly, the quality of the Himalaya bags starts with the material itself – the Nilitocus crocodile. But first, we need to clarify the basis for the Himalaya description.

Contrary to popular belief, this crocodile is not from the Himalaya mountain range in Asia. In fact, Himalaya refers only to the dyed skin’s resemblance to the often snow-peaked mountains. Achieving that delicate gradation of color is part of the Hermès magic.

Through Hermès’ meticulous process it transforms these crocodile skins such that bright pearly white gradually fades into a warm-toned smokey gray color. All of this begins with careful and critical selection of the perfect light-skin Niloticus crocodile hide.

And the painstaking process doesn’t stop there. Only after extensive preservation and hide preparation can the dyeing process begin.

Ultimately, the dyeing process is what truly brings this magnificent work of art to life. In order to achieve the gradient tone, individual artisans use extraordinary care blending the colors to a seamless finish. And among Hermès specially trained creators, only the most experienced work with Himalaya.

Hermès Himalaya Pricing

The boutique price for the Hermès Himalayan Birkin 25 is between $45,000 and $65,000 at Hermès depending on the country. Larger Hermès Himalayan bags retail for higher. On the secondary market the smaller Hermès Himalayan Birkin 25 sells for more than the Himalayan Birkin 30 or Himalayan Birkin 35. Additionally Birkins in pristine bags with current date stamps are the most desirable and sell for higher than older date stamp bags that have some signs of wear. Secondary market prices for Himalayan Birkin remain at a significant premium to retail but prices are off from a peak reached in 2020 to 2021.

Price trends for the Hermès Himalayan Kelly are similar to the Himalaya Birkin. Peek prices were realized in 2022 and early 2023. Sotheby's sold a Diamond Hermès Himalaya Kelly 28 for over $500,000 in 2020, but in 2024 a similar bag sold for about $230,000. An Hermès Himalaya Kelly 25 sold for over $380,000 in 2022 versus just $140,000 in September 2023. A Diamond Hermès Himalaya Kelly 25 in 2024 sold for $330,000, less than the non Diamond version in 2022. While prices for Hermès Himalaya Kelly are off the highs reached a few years ago, the bags without diamonds are still selling for a premium relative to retail and the Diamond Hermès Himalaya Kelly 25 is also still selling at a premium to retail in 2024.