IN THE BAG
Jennifer Carter, president of Hermès Canada, on how her mother’s ’60s-era Kelly bag has stood the test of time.
an Hermès handbag is the grande dame of luxury—a symbol of enduring love when gifted and a sophisticated nod to the world when carried. For Jennifer Carter, the iconic Kelly is more than just an accessory; it has a storied history. “It’s so vintage,” Carter says of her mother’s 1963 crocodile bag, which she received as a birthday present in the ’80s, not long after she began working for Hermès. “This bag was elegant before it was called the Kelly and still is today,” she remarks. “For almost 200 years, there has never been a compromise on quality. Hermès understands the nobility of the material and the importance of the artist and the craftsperson.” So, how does a bag achieve cult status across generations of women? “Well, I guess we’d all like to think that our second name is Grace,” says Carter with a laugh.