Here is Shebag’s latest production: the Hermès Kelly Danse bag in off-white (Gris Pâle/Beton style) Swift leather. It is absolutely stunning. We’ve heard that this bag has been trending recently and is impossible to purchase in Hermès boutiques, so we produced this replica. For us, this posed absolutely no challenge, as we have been doing this for 14 years.

To us, this bag has distinct differences compared to the standard Kelly bag. Hermès leather goods manufacturing stems from harness and saddlery craftsmanship, and their high-end bags still embody the details of this “saddlery know-how.” Every bag requires manual intervention at every stage—from leather selection, cutting, and stitching to assembly, hardware installation, and inspection—making it a highly labor-intensive process. Common materials for the Kelly Danse include Swift (soft, smooth, with saturated color) and Evercolor (more durable with a fine grain).

Leather selection and dyeing are extremely meticulous; Hermès screens every hide for flaws, and panel matching requires consistency in grain and texture. Although it is a “Kelly derivative,” the Danse emphasizes “portability + versatility”—for example, the Kelly Danse can be transformed into a crossbody, shoulder bag, backpack, waist bag, or clutch. While it is a more casual style, it retains the classic Kelly turn-lock and belted flap design. The hardware polishing, setting, and the positioning of screws and rivets are extremely precise. The interface between the hardware and leather is handled delicately to prevent scratching or premature wear.

After cutting, the leather edges undergo heating, sanding, and edge-painting (glazing) to ensure they are smooth and durable. The stitching (usually using waxed thread) is incredibly demanding regarding stitch spacing, symmetry, and tension control; this is a critical factor in judging the quality of craftsmanship.

Although it does not feature the prominent “four bottom studs” design of the classic Kelly, the internal structure includes base reinforcement, shape retention elements, and careful selection of lining materials. These ensure the bag has a longer lifespan and maintains its shape better during use. The interior lining is typically made of lambskin or other premium leathers, balancing tactile softness with durability.

These are the craftsmanship characteristics of the Hermès Kelly Danse, which we have long since thoroughly analyzed. Shebag employs many experienced bag-making artisans from the vast Guangzhou leather goods supply chain. Furthermore, Shebag selects only the most skilled workers because Hermès-grade leather is expensive, and we cannot afford any waste.