Hermès Color-Guide: The big overview of all colors

When you think of Hermès, you probably think of the orange colored Hermès box. However, the first boxes were cream y white or beige with a gold trim. In 1942, Hermès could no longer obtain the imitation leather for its Hermès packaging. Instead, Cardboard boxes made of sturdy bright orange cardboard were used. Hence, in the 1960s, Hermès made the bright color to its flagship. The now iconic orange was born out of necessity, as the Color Guide and oldest Hermès colors include Rouge H. Also part of the uniqueness Color Guide are the color Noir, Blue Marine and Vert Anglais, while Gold and Parchemin were added later. Learn all about the color guide of this luxury brand during in my introduction to the many colors of Hermès.

The color guide at a glance

Hermès offers leather goods in classic colors as well as seasonal colors. The always-available Colors Guide essentially consists of nine basic colors, which include: shades of red, shades of blue, various shades of green, a palette of Hermès oranges, various shades of pink and purple, three shades of beige and yellow , and a wider range of browns, blacks and grey colors. Other colors in the color guide include gold, silver, bronze.

Rouge H: The oldest color of Hermès

Established in 1925, Rouge H – color code 46 – represents a rich, elegant dark red color tone with a hint of brown that ,looks like Bordeaux, depending on the light. Within the color guide, it among the reds the perfect color for autumn outfits and fits well with warm and cool colors. Further, blush H develops a very interesting effect when used with leather. Today, the shade Rouge H is also one of the sensual and very popular lipstick colors.

Among collectors, Hermès bags in the color Rouge H are in high demand. They achieve high prices at auctions ,in part because as models from the 1930s and 40s were made in this popular color. Bags from the Hermès Exceptional Collection in particular are extreme valuable pieces, as they combine two of the most important Hermès ateliers – leather goods and jewelry – and thus represent the pinnacle of luxury. For this collection, Hermès also selected Rouge H from the color guide, what resulted in the Birkin 30, made of crocodile leather in Rouge H color code with diamonds and fittings in 18 karat white gold.

The Hermès Orange: Color Code 93

The Hermès orange shade is simply known as Orange, Orange H or Classic Orange. In the extensive portfolio of Hermès colors, it has the color code 93. The shade is bright and clear, full of energy and verve. Simply unique, there is no Pantone equivalent to Hermès orange. Simply unique, there is no Pantone equivalent to Hermès orange.

In general, the color orange combines the power and passion of red with the sunny cheerfulness and optimism of yellow. In the Color Guide, Hermès orange is a color that gets associated with adventure and communication, self-confidence and enthusiasm. In color psychology, bright orange is linked to rejuvenating properties and protection from grief and disappointment.

Nowadays, orange is not only used for Hermès’ packaging, but can be found in all collections. Customers can choose this powerful color when ordering a Kelly bag. But also Hermès orange appears in the Carré collections in almost every season, whereas especially silk in Hermès orange exudes strength and courage.

A timeless classic: Gold 06

Hermès is a luxury brand that produces products for generations. In France, Hermès bags are passed down through generations, just like other leather goods from 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. For this tradition the color gold from the color guide just fits perfectly. It is one of the most popular colors of Hermès as it combines elegance and naturalness. Also interesting: Hermès gold became famous due to Grace Kelly!.

The shade of gold in combination with Barenia leather develops a particularly elegant caramel-colored patina over the years. The gold hue is harmoniously rounded off by fittings in gold. Thus , Hermès gold also belongs to the classic color guide and is often worn by stylish women, no matter if young or old.

When thinking about the beautiful Etoupe color, one could think that this is also related to gold, but when looking in more detail at the color, you quickly recognize that it has cooler tones. It is therefore easier to combine it with other colors. Generally, Etoupe is a grayish-brown taupe. Furthe rmore, as an alternative to gold and Etoupe, Etain is another popular shade in the Hermès Color Guide.

Parchemin: The perfect summer companion

Since the 1960s, the color guide of Fashion House Hermès contains there is the color Parchemin. It is a ladylike, pinkish cream without the harshness of pure white and has the color code 3C. However, , you won’t need to know that when shopping at Hermès as , everyone knows Parchemin. One great advantage of Parchemin is that both hardware alternatives gold and silver fit perfectly with this color. Alternatively, when you prefer a fresher and cleaner look you can go for the Craie or Beton colors in the color guide. These colors also look equally good with gold and silver fittings.

Eleganz in Noir 89

Not every black is the same, and when it comes to Hermès black 89,the other details are those that matter. A bag in the color code 89 becomes more rare especially and rare when the hardware has also been blackened. This is where Hermès refers to the “So Black” model. In the “So Black” collection, the black hardware designed by Jean Paul Gaultier has a very delicate PVD coating. Since these models were available only for a very short period, they are all the more sought after by collectors.

A small black Hermès bag is one of the models every Hermès collector should have as it is perfect for every occasion. You wanna go out and want to keep it sylish? Wear a black Hermès bag and you are going to be the most stylish person wherever you go.You want to keep it casual with jeans and a Blazer maybe? Once again, combine the outfit with your small black Hermès purse and you’ll look super stylish but still casual.The color of the original Birkin, designed for Jane Birkin herself, and the jet black noir leather are still in the colors guide the epitome of chic.

Rose Bubblegum, Himalaya, Vert Emeraude: Exotic Hermès Colors.

Each Hermès bag is designed for a specific woman and occasion. Same goes for the colors in the color guide. The most famous exotic shade from Hermès is by far Himalaya, which is a classy composition of snowy white and earthy taupe. Rather sensational is the color Pink Bubblegum – also known as 5P Pink in candy pink for strong, fun-loving women. A real eye-catcher.And if you think it always has to be particularly flashy, you’re wrong, because in the Color Guide, the emerald green Vert Emeraude is classy and, depending on the leather – in crocodile, for example, extremely eye- catching. The jewel-like depth of color is as refined as it is striking.

Color investments: These colors fetch top prices

Hermès launches a new limited edition color palette every season. Getting a handbag in a color of the season is already very difficult. What makes the investment uncertain, however, is that some colors just don’t take off. That’s where years of expert knowledge pays off, because pink and blue colors from the Hermès Color Guide usually always perform well. For low-volume models like Kelly Pochette or Kelly 25, these include Rose Sakura, Rose Azalea, Rose Tyrien, Rose Lipstick and Rose Scheherazade. And among the blue shades from the Color Guide, Bleu Electric and Bleu Saphir go down particularly well with the Birkin model.

Good to know

As you can see, the Hermès Color Guide is so versatile and detailed that it requires knowledge. Thus, the authenticity of a Hermès product can be recognized not only by its first-class workmanship and craftsmanship details, but also by its color. The Parisian luxury fashion house is famous for its bag collections. Whether Kelly or Birkin, they are all unmistakable icons and their colors bear the unique signature of Hermès. At Hermès, artisans are trained to create dyes to the brand’s exacting standards to ensure consistent quality over decades. However, depending on their texture and grain, leathers don’t always react the same way to a dye. So don’t expect a particular color to look the same on different bags and leathers.

Our Bag Choice for You