Hermes Special Order Bags

Since this thread is now huge and the internal links to frequently asked questions no longer work, here is a brief FAQ for newcomers to the Hermes Special Order process.

What are the current choices for "a la carte" Special Order bags?
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What is an Hermes Special Order?
Each year Hermes gives select clients the opportunity to customize a classic bag in a made-to-order a la carte process. This thread is only for bag A La Carte orders (please use the separate threads for watch SOs and shoe SOs). "A la carte", "SO" (special order), and "HSS" (horse shoe stamp) are used interchangeably on this forum.

When is the Special Order season?
Currently, there is one SO season each calendar year, opening around the beginning of February and closing when slots run out or the end of December, whichever occurs first. New SO menus are typically leaked in February and remain constant until the following calendar year. Individual stores have complete discretion on when, within this window, they offer SO appointments to their clients.

Which specs can I customize?
Hermes defines which specs can be customized and these specs can change each SO season. Generally these specs include: leather type, leather color, and hardware color. At your SO appointment, your SA will present you will the limited menu of choices including bag types and sizes (Birkin 25, Kelly 28, etc), pre-set combination designs (line, verso, multico, etc), leather choices, leather colors, hardwares, and a map for which options can be selected for which bag type and size. Not all leathers and hardwares are allowed for all bag types and sizes.

Can I make physical changes to a bag definition during SO?
Sometimes clients would like to change a physical aspect of a bag, like increase the handle drop or add a pocket or a strap. Unfortunately, Hermes does not allow any type of alteration to the bag definition during SO. For extensive changes like these, a client would need to pursue a “Horizon order” which can be read about here.

How long will my SO take?
There is no way to predict how long a SO will take from placing the order to receipt of the finished product. Although Hermes has recently put forward efforts to fulfill a la carte orders within a year, it isn’t uncommon for bags to arrive in just a few months or also much longer than the year estimate.

Can my SA give me status my existing SO?
Unfortunately, the info that can be seen by SAs at the local store is very limited. They can generally see if the order is still outstanding (ie hasn’t been cancelled) but do not get status updates beyond that. Some stores will update clients when they get notice that a bag has been shipped from Paris but other stores wait until the bag is physically in store before alerting the client.

Do I need to place a deposit for SO?
In most regions of the world, a deposit is not required for SOs. However, some Asian and Middle Eastern locations do seem to request at least a partial deposit. Deposits may also be required in other regions if the SO selections are very personalized (ie if you have your personal initials hot stamped onto the bag) such that selling the bag to a different client, if the original client declines the bag, would be difficult.

Do I receive confirmation of my SO after placing my order?
In most regions of the world, the client gives their specifications to their SA and that is the last they hear about it until the bag arrives. Paris stores seem to be an exception to this and send the client a confirmation email within a few weeks of placing the order.

Is there a premium for a SO bag?
No, there is no premium price for SO bags. Their price is the same as any other standard stock bag of the same specifications at the time of delivery.

Is my SO a quota bag?
SO bags are generally counted toward a client’s two-bags-per-year limit at the time that the bag is received and paid for. If a client has already maxed out their quota bag allocation for the year, some stores will allow an exception to purchase your SO as a third bag for the year while other stores will require the customer to wait until a new calendar year before receiving the bag. These policies are subject to be changed per store at their convenience so it is always wise to check with your specific SA.

Where can I get ideas for my SO bag?
This thread shows unique combination bags and this thread shows contrasting stitching bags. Please consider posting your bag there once it arrives!

Where can I see historical SO menus?
2023 on post 19,874 page 1325 Feb 3, 2023
2022 on post 17,729 page 1182 Sept 13, 2021
2021 on post 15,439 page 1030 Aug 16, 2020
2020 on post 13,222 page 882 Aug 8, 2019
2019 on post 10,472 page 699 Sept 10, 2018
2018 on post 7,687 page 513 Sept 15, 2017
2017 on post 4,749 page 317 Sept 26, 2016
 
I have a question for all those who own a multico bag for more than 5 years -
Since I have seen now so many multico bags in this thread I started wondering whether I would ever dare to order a multico Kelly (if I ever get the opportunity to do a SO again ;)) but I’m not sure if I would get tired of it. I would probably stay in the same color scheme (i.e. bleu pale and gris perle, Nata and blanc, rose sakura and mauve pale, gold and alezan) to be on the safe side.

Did you ever get tired of your combination? Do you use your multico as often as you do your verso or single colored bags?

I have never rehomed a bag and don’t intend to do it in the future as I adore all bags that I buy and consider whether they add value (not as an investment :lol:) to my collection - I am not an impulse buyer at all - but since I never had a Multico, I wonder whether I could get tired of it after a few years, e.g. after more than 5 year.
TIA :ty:
I have a B30 Etain & Craie.

Not tired of it — I think a neutral combo is key for longevity concerns.
 
Does anyone know if you can order clochette (brushed PHW with contrasting stitching) replacement that for a special order Kelly and is the cost the same if it was a regular clochette replacement? Thank you in advance for anyone who had experience/knowledge with this!
 
Does anyone know if you can order clochette (brushed PHW with contrasting stitching) replacement that for a special order Kelly and is the cost the same if it was a regular clochette replacement? Thank you in advance for anyone who had experience/knowledge with this!
I don’t know about the clochette, but I did have my brushed palladium turn lock replaced. There was no charge because the plate was defective (one of the screws was not smooth).
 
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Does anyone know if you can order clochette (brushed PHW with contrasting stitching) replacement that for a special order Kelly and is the cost the same if it was a regular clochette replacement? Thank you in advance for anyone who had experience/knowledge with this!
the clochette is the bell-shaped leather holder for the keys - it would not have hardware
the cadena is the lock - is it this or the keys that are PHW
Hermes should be able to supply both
 
I had a replacement tirette and clochette free of charge a couple of years ago, although they wanted to see photos (it was during lockdown) of the split tirette (hanging cord) for a 2005 Birkin. Prior to that I had the same replaced for a box Kelly which cost £135 but that was in 2016. I've never needed a replacement lock or keys though, or had to replace one that was lost rather than broken, so not sure if that helps at all. Pretty sure they will replace the whole lot but may well want to see the bag.
 
Update: I picked up the strap and accessories in mid-August, 2022. The store wasn't very busy that day so it was a fairly quick process to walk in and give my name for pickup.
FYI, the salesperson didn't assemble the strap/lock/clochette combination and all the pieces came separately, so some minor assembly is required. The strap came in its own dust bag and the lock/clochette/strap had its own bag as well. The receipt showed the following:

"Replacement Shoulder Strap / All Leathers / On Quotation": $650
"Replacement Hanging Cord + Clochette + Padlock - All Bags / Classic Leather": $310

Total cost for Chevre strap, cord, clochette and padlock was $960 plus 8.875% NYC sales tax.

I would have expected the Chevre option to be slightly more but it seems to have come under the "classic leather" category, which I would guess would apply to most common leathers. The craftsperson at Madison did do a very thorough inspection of the bag (approx 15 mins) before accepting the order and said that the order would have to be picked up in person, with ID matching the ordering person. Shipping was not an option. Happy to answer any other questions and hope this helps those completing their "set".
This was my experience in August 2022.
 
Yesterday I placed my SO, I went for a mini Kelly multicolor noir and nata chevre leather with gold hardware..

For the stitching I choose the option what Hermes usually use..

I only want to ask did anyone experienced choosing this option and the stitching was not tone on tone ?

Before going placing the order I as determined to choose inverted stitching, but the store manger on convinced me to choose this option as he said that it will be too much .. first it’s black and white with gold and shine in the leather it will be over whelming
 
Yesterday I placed my SO, I went for a mini Kelly multicolor noir and nata chevre leather with gold hardware..

For the stitching I choose the option what Hermes usually use..

I only want to ask did anyone experienced choosing this option and the stitching was not tone on tone ?

Before going placing the order I as determined to choose inverted stitching, but the store manger on convinced me to choose this option as he said that it will be too much .. first it’s black and white with gold and shine in the leather it will be over whelming
At the end of the day it’s your bag and what one might find overwhelming might just be underwhelming for another.

My suggestion is to trust your gut and never let someone sway your initial “coup de coeur”.