Privé Porter’s Guide To: The Original Hermès Kellywood 22 — The Bag That Redefined Craftsmanship

Privé Porter’s Guide To: The Original Hermès Kellywood 22 — The Bag That Redefined Craftsmanship

Before the world saw the colorful geometric artistry of the Kellywood Perspective Cavalière, Hermès quietly unveiled something even more radical — a handbag that blurred the line between fine marquetry and wearable art.
Meet the original Hermès Kellywood 22, crafted in rare Bog Oak wood and Barenia leather, the design that introduced the “Kelly Wood” concept and redefined what Hermès craftsmanship could be.

A New Chapter in Hermès History

Unveiled in 2020, the original Kellywood marked Hermès’s first true experiment merging solid wood and fine leather in a handbag. It wasn’t a reinterpretation of the Kelly — it was a revolution.

The bag’s name, “Kellywood,” merges the house’s most iconic silhouette with one of its most unconventional materials.
The goal? To showcase how Hermès artisans could treat wood not as a decorative accent, but as a living material worthy of the same precision as leather.

Crafted From Ancient Bog Oak

The Bog Oak used for the Kellywood isn’t ordinary wood. It’s oak that has been naturally preserved underground for thousands of years, acquiring a dark, almost charcoal tone and an extraordinary density. Each piece of Bog Oak varies slightly in grain and hue, making every Kellywood truly one-of-one.

To work with Bog Oak requires exceptional control — one mistake in cutting or sanding can ruin the material entirely. Hermès craftsmen perfected the art of shaping and finishing wood to the same millimeter precision they apply to saddle stitching.

The result: a Kelly that feels both ancient and futuristic — heritage literally carved from history.

The Larmé Inlay Technique

The Bog Oak Kellywood also debuted Hermès’s groundbreaking Larmé inlay technique, a process originally used in high-end furniture marquetry. This method joins leather to wood with a seamless bond, requiring over 60 precision cuts and alignment by hand.

Unlike veneer applications, which layer thin pieces of wood, the Larmé process uses solid sections that must fit perfectly together. Hermès introduced it for the Kellywood — and the technique later became the foundation for the Perspective Cavalière’s colored inlays.

Every bag is a masterclass in patience and precision — no visible joins, no adhesives, just perfect balance between the rigidity of wood and the suppleness of leather.

A Marriage of Heritage Materials

The Kellywood 22 is built from two Hermès icons:

  • Bog Oak wood — ancient, dense, and deeply textured.

  • Barenia leather — the same saddle leather Hermès has used for generations, known for its ability to develop a beautiful patina over time.

Together, they create a dialogue between nature and craftsmanship — one that few other fashion houses could even attempt.
The Barenia flap and handle maintain the classic Kelly DNA, while the solid wood body transforms it into sculpture.

Size and Details

  • Model: Kellywood 22

  • Dimensions: Approximately 22 cm (width) x 18 cm (height) x 8 cm (depth)

  • Materials: Bog Oak wood body, Fauve Barenia leather trim

  • Hardware: Palladium

  • Interior: Smooth Chevre leather lining

  • Finish: Matte wood polish, contrasting white saddle stitch

The structure is pure Sellier precision — crisp edges, perfectly balanced proportions, and the signature Hermès sangles and touret closure.

Rarity and Collector Value

Only a handful of Bog Oak Kellywood 22s were produced, making it one of the most elusive Hermès limited editions to date.
Unlike the later Cavalière model, which incorporated bright color and design motifs, this first edition embodies minimalism and restraint.

For collectors, it’s the origin point — the first Kellywood ever made.
Its rarity, material complexity, and historical importance place it among Hermès’s most collectible handbags of the modern era.

Auction houses and private dealers report that early Kellywoods appear less frequently than even Faubourg Birkins or Himalayas — a testament to their exclusivity.

Why the Kellywood Matters

The Kellywood 22 represents a new kind of Hermès artistry — one that goes beyond fashion and into the realm of design.
It’s the moment the Kelly became architecture, where craftsmanship met experimentation, and where heritage met innovation.

In the world of collecting, the original Bog Oak Kellywood holds a special place — the prototype of a new Hermès language.

The Privé Porter Perspective

At Privé Porter, we’ve watched the Kellywood’s quiet rise from an experimental limited edition to a highly sought-after grail. As Hermès continues to explore wood marquetry in newer designs like the Perspective Cavalière, the original remains the holy grail — understated, technical, and virtually impossible to source.

For collectors who appreciate innovation, history, and unmatched craftsmanship, the Kellywood 22 in Bog Oak is a defining piece.

If you’re ready to secure one — or to source any of the upcoming wood or marquetry Hermès editions — Privé Porter is your connection to the extraordinary.

Contact Privé Porter

📞 Call/Text: +1 (305) 432-1285
📧 Email: sales@priveporter.com
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