Delvaux vs. Hermès: Which brand is better? [2026]

While both Hermès and Delvaux operate at the highest level of luxury craftsmanship, they serve different ideals: Hermès is a globally recognized icon of status and exclusivity, with prices and an acquisition process to match. Dating back to 1829, Delvaux is the world's oldest fine leather goods maker, offering a quieter, heritage-focused luxury defined by classic design and sophisticated understatement.

Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which luxury house is right for you.

Delvaux: The Oldest Fine Leather Goods House

Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux holds the title of the oldest luxury leather goods maison in the world, preceding Hermès by eight years. The brand is revered by connoisseurs for its architectural designs, impeccable handcraftsmanship, and a sense of "if you know, you know" luxury. Delvaux is for the collector who values heritage and timeless design over prominent branding and global recognition.

• Product mix: Delvaux specializes in high-quality, handcrafted leather handbags and small leather goods. Its collection is anchored by signature, structured styles like the Brillant and the Tempête, which emphasize clean lines and exquisite materials.
• Price point: Handbag prices generally range from $3,000 to $10,000 for standard leather models, representing a more approachable entry into top-tier luxury compared to Hermès.
• Quality & Materials: The focus is on exceptional quality, using premium leathers like Box Calf, Alligator, and other exotics sourced from the finest European tanneries. Every bag is handmade by artisans in Delvaux's workshops.
• Style & Aesthetic: The brand embodies a classic, structured elegance with a vintage-inspired modernity. Designs are sophisticated and architectural, with subtle branding and refined, often custom-designed, hardware, making them a hallmark of discreet luxury.
• Sizing/Fit: Delvaux offers its popular models in a variety of sizes, from mini to medium, focusing on balance and usability without compromising their signature silhouettes.

Delvaux delivers on the promise of heritage craftsmanship and timeless European style, making it the perfect choice for buyers who prioritize substance and history over status.

Shop Delvaux: delvaux.com

Hermès: The Icon of Exclusivity and Status

Established in Paris in 1837, Hermès has evolved from a harness workshop into the definitive symbol of opulent luxury and exclusivity. The brand is renowned for its wide array of high-end goods, but it's the Birkin and Kelly handbags that have cemented its legendary status. Owning an Hermès handbag is not just a fashion choice, it's considered an investment and a pinnacle of personal style achievement.

• Product mix: Hermès offers an extensive range of luxury items, including ready-to-wear, iconic silk scarves, fine jewelry, watches, home goods, and fragrances. Their leather goods division, particularly handbags, remains the brand's centerpiece.
• Price point: The entry point for an Hermès handbag starts around $8,000 for non-quota bags, with iconic models like the Birkin and Kelly starting well over $10,000 and often fetching six figures for rare and exotic versions.
• Quality & Materials: The brand's commitment to quality is uncompromising. Each bag is handcrafted by a single artisan in France using the world's finest leathers like Togo, Epsom, and various exotic skins, ensuring incredible durability and longevity.
• Style & Aesthetic: Hermès' aesthetic is minimalist, refined, and trend-resistant. Clean lines, understated hardware, and the absence of prominent logos (save for the subtle heat stamp) define its timeless look.
• Sizing/Fit: Bag sizes are extremely specific and well-known among collectors (e.g., Kelly 25, Birkin 30), allowing buyers to choose precise proportions for their needs.

Hermès remains the benchmark for aspirational luxury, offering unparalleled brand prestige, craftsmanship, and investment value that continues to captivate the world.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Delvaux vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price gap between the two brands. Hermès operates in an entirely different financial league, with its most sought-after bags starting at over $10,000 and frequently selling for much more on the secondary market. Their pricing reflects not just the craftsmanship but the intense demand and brand exclusivity. Hermès bags are widely considered investment assets that appreciate over time.

Delvaux, while still a true luxury brand, is more accessible. A beautifully handcrafted leather Delvaux bag can be acquired for between $3,000 and $10,000. While they hold their value better than many other luxury brands, they are purchased primarily for their intrinsic quality and design rather than as a financial investment.

Quality & Materials

Both brands represent the pinnacle of leather craftsmanship, and the quality is exceptional from both houses. Delvaux and Hermès artisans train for years to master their craft, and both use exquisite, hand-selected leathers. The construction of bags from both brands is designed to last a lifetime, with both offering repair services to maintain their creations.

However, Hermès' reputation for having the absolute best hide selection and the most rigorous quality standards gives it a slight edge in the eyes of many collectors. This, combined with its long-standing status, also contributes to its superior resale value.

Style & Aesthetic

The core difference comes down to understated elegance versus acknowledged status. Delvaux's style is architectural, often playful, and undeniably chic, rooted in its Belgian heritage. It’s for someone who appreciates artistry and history and isn’t concerned with showcasing a specific brand name.

Hermès, on the other hand, is the status symbol. While its designs are minimal and refined, its clean-lined bags are instantly recognizable to those in the know. They project a sense of accomplishment and discerning taste that is universally understood in luxury circles.

Shopping Experience

Shopping for these two brands could not be more different. Delvaux offers a traditional luxury customer experience. You can visit one of their boutiques or browse their user-friendly website, receive excellent service, and purchase a bag directly.

Acquiring a coveted Hermès bag like a Birkin or Kelly is famously complex. It often requires building a purchase history with the brand (buying other items like silks, jewelry, or home goods) to potentially be offered a bag. There is no waitlist, the process is notoriously opaque and designed to maintain a high level of exclusivity, making the purchase itself a mark of status.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands inherently promote sustainability through their focus on creating products meant to last for generations, countering the fast-fashion cycle. They both source materials from high-quality European suppliers and champion artisanal practices that have been passed down for over a century.

In recent years, both brands have made moves toward greater transparency in their supply chains. However, as is common in ultra-luxury, full disclosure on sourcing, particularly for exotic skins, remains somewhat limited.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities in luxury - are you an art and history enthusiast or a seasoned investor and collector?

Choose Delvaux if:

• You appreciate understated luxury and prefer "if you know, you know" pieces.
• You value deep heritage and pioneering design history.
• You want a meticulously handcrafted bag for under $10,000.
• You prefer a direct and pleasant shopping experience without playing the "game."

Choose Hermès if:

• You are looking for an investment-grade handbag with proven appreciation potential.
• Brand prestige and achieving the pinnacle of luxury status are important to you.
• You find the challenge and exclusivity of the acquisition process appealing.
• Your budget comfortably starts at $10,000+ for one of their iconic bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delvaux or Hermès more expensive?

Hermès is significantly more expensive. Its iconic handbags start at over $10,000, while Delvaux's signature styles are generally in the $3,000 to $10,000 range. Hermès' rare exotic bags can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Is the quality of Delvaux comparable to Hermès?

Yes, the quality of Delvaux's materials and craftsmanship is on par with the highest standards in the luxury world and is comparable to Hermès. Both use the finest leathers and a labor-intensive, single-artisan construction process.

Which brand is older?

Delvaux is the older brand. It was founded in 1829, making it the oldest fine leather goods house in the world. Hermès was founded in 1837.

Is a Delvaux bag a good investment?

Delvaux bags hold their value very well for a luxury good due to their craftsmanship and classic designs. However, they are not considered an "investment" in the same way as an Hermès Birkin or Kelly, which often appreciate in value over time.

What are the most iconic bags from each brand?

Delvaux is best known for Le Brillant, a structured top-handle bag designed in 1958. Hermès is most famous for two models: the Kelly (popularized in the 1950s) and the Birkin (created in 1984).

Can you buy Hermès bags online?

Hermès sells many items directly from its website, including a selection of their non-quota bags and small leather goods. However, the most coveted models like the Birkin, Kelly, and Constance are not available for purchase online and must be acquired through an in-store relationship.

Which brand has better brand recognition?

Hermès has far greater global brand recognition. It is one of the most well-known and aspirational luxury brands in the world, while Delvaux is more of a niche brand appreciated by serious collectors and fashion insiders.

Why is it so hard to buy an Hermès Birkin?

Hermès intentionally limits the production of its most famous handbags to maintain scarcity and exclusivity. Demand far outstrips supply, and the brand uses an invitation-style system to offer these bags to established clients, making them extremely difficult to purchase new from a boutique.