Who doesn’t know the “Kelly bag” by Hermes? Probably every elegant woman in the world wants one. The waitlist is years long. Resales boom.

But have you ever asked yourself for whom the bag was named?

The bag, named Petit Sac à Courroies, was first designed by Hermes in 1935 – and, believe it or not, it was not a success. But…. that changed dramatically when American actress Grace Kelly …

… had to carry one onscreen in one of her Hitchcock thrillers and came to love it so much that she kept carrying one privately. This was the public breakthrough…

Already a star, with an Academy Award and three Golden Globes to her credit, she was copied by a whole generation of fashionable women – and when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, “Princess Gracia Patricia” became a forever fashion icon.

No matter that she’d be nearly 100 years old by now – her effortless elegance is as stunning today and still serves as inspiration to designers and fashionistas alike (think: Red Carpet….)

And in terms of bridal couture: her dress was clearly an inspiration to Kate Middleton’s…