In a surprising twist, Hermès reportedly declined Kim Kardashian’s request to buy a rare Hermès Kelly for her daughter, North West. Despite North being a “nepo baby” who could often get items on demand, the luxury brand allegedly said no.
Journalist Amy Odell recounted the story in her newsletter Back Row, citing an anonymous former employee of the Hermès Beverly Hills boutique.
“Not every celebrity got what they wanted,” the salesperson recalled.
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Hermès Denies North West A Kelly Bag
“Kanye West and Kim Kardashian wanted a black Mini Kelly bag for North or something like that. And Hermès said no,” the insider revealed.
“I have no idea why, but we were like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I think at that point it goes through corporate, because if someone that high-profile wants something, they’re obviously going to be photographed in it — and they don’t want just anyone photographed with it,” they explained.
“So you’d call the press office and be like, ‘Hey, so-and-so wants a handbag.’ They’d usually say, ‘Cool.’ But for some reason, they didn’t want North West to have an alligator Mini Kelly.”
An alligator Mini Kelly (20 cm) from Hermès typically retails for around $30K to $50K+ when purchased directly from the brand—if it’s available at all. On the resale market, however, the coveted handbag often commands between $60,000 and $90,000, with especially rare or pristine versions surpassing $100,000, depending on factors like color, hardware, and whether the finish is shiny or matte.
The 12-year-old has previously been seen with a white Hermès Birkin, and in 2014, she even painted an Hermès bag for her mother. According to Grazia, she was also photographed using her mother’s luxury items in 2019, including a small Birkin.
Kim Kardashian's Love Of Hermès Bags
The request may stem from the mother of four's well-known love of Hermès bags, as she is often photographed with them. Her collection includes a wide array of high-value Birkins and Kellys, with over 100 different bags spotted over the years, though exact numbers are hard to verify publicly. The family as a whole is famous for their Hermès obsession, with Kris Jenner even dedicating an entire room to her own extensive Hermès collection.
Many fans took to social media to share their reactions, with some supporting Hermès’ decision.
“At least someone knows how to say no,” one user commented on Instagram. Another wrote, “I stand with Hermès.” A third added, “Money can’t buy everything.” One user questioned, “What is a 12-year-old going to do with a Kelly bag, right?” Another explained, “This is standard Hermès protocol—why is this even news? They’re extremely selective.”
