This is the Kelly Pochette,
said to be even harder to obtain than a quota bag these days.
Its original boutique price was equivalent to approximately US$7,350, but its rarity
means it commands a substantial resale premium.
We paid approximately US$21,620 for a B-stamp example.
[Proof of authentic purchase]
The authentic bag has
a B date stamp (2023)
and the serial number BST****, matching the invoice.
Buying one in a boutique is close to impossible,
so a resale purchase can cost as much as we paid
or even more.
It is not easy to spend
that much on such a small bag…
Through this authentic-bag comparison,
we believe we can help you save
thousands of dollars.
Let’s begin with the overall shape.
It looks impossible to distinguish them
by shape alone, doesn’t it?
The overall silhouette and size,
even the edge-paint color, are identical.
Of course, the leather is
genuine Swift from the Pomari tannery!
You may think recreating the shape is straightforward,
but the natural fullness marked in red
is particularly difficult to achieve.
That fullness needs to rise
in a crescent shape, as shown in the photos.
Without that soft crescent-shaped volume,
the bag looks slightly awkward,
and the difference can be apparent at a glance.
The fullness at the back matters in the same way.
This Swift Kelly Pochette is sold by another seller
as fully handmade for around US$1,120…
Even without an explanation,
you can see the difference, can’t you?
So which one is authentic?
The authentic bag is on the left.
Now let’s move closer
to compare the details!
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Hermès
Thierry Studio
The stitching is beautifully neat, isn’t it?
There is nothing out of place.
One technique synonymous with Hermès
is saddle stitching.
It represents the pursuit
of perfection through craftsmanship.
Every stitch is sewn by hand,
producing a stronger, more refined result than machine sewing.
A pricking iron marks the stitch holes,
and the thread is then worked through those points.
The finished effect is exceptionally refined.
The drawback is that this work
is entirely manual and takes a great deal of time.
It is impossible for every authentic bag
to have exactly the same stitch spacing and appearance.
Each artisan has a different style,
and even the same person
will produce small variations from one bag to the next.
Still, there is a clear standard seen in authentic pieces,
and we make our bags to meet it.
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Here is the Hermès engraving on the clasp.
The font, lettering size and placement all match.
Look at the rivets securing the hardware:
those on the authentic bag have oxidized and faded slightly.
They were not originally that color!
The change comes from oxidation,
so a color difference here is not in itself a sign of a replica.
Please keep that in mind!
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Here is the handle shape.
Many alternatives have a different handle height from the original.
Most tend to sit lower.
Hermès
Thierry Studio
They look the same by eye,
but to show you more clearly,
we measured them with a ruler.
Handle height: 2.9–3 cm
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Top: Hermès / Bottom: Thierry Studio
The handle shape looks the same from above too, doesn’t it?
A different shape would also change the handle height.
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Width: 2.6–2.7 cm
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Height: 1.2 cm
We also measured the hardware on the front flap.
You can see that there is not even a 1 mm difference.
We mixed the edge paint repeatedly
until we found the matching color 🙂
Hermès
Thierry Studio
Open the flap, and you will see
the Hermès logo stamped inside.
Even after comparing every detail of the Kelly Pochette,
it is difficult to find a difference.
As we have emphasized many times,
the logo should not be stamped with excessive pressure.
Swift leather scratches particularly easily,
so it requires even more care.
This final, delicate control of pressure can determine
whether the result is exceptional or deeply disappointing.
Our attention to accuracy remains just as high,
even on models beyond Hermès’ flagship Birkin and Kelly 🙂
That concludes this comparison.
Please feel free to contact us with any further questions!
Thank you.
