The $80K Mini Kelly bag Kim Kardashian tried to buy

For North West, luxury fashion is practically a birthright. The daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has grown up surrounded by couture, archival fashion, and rare accessories. Yet even for a child born into one of pop culture’s most high-profile families, access to the most coveted items in fashion isn’t always guaranteed.

According to a report by journalist Amy Odell in her newsletter Back Row, the French fashion house Hermès declined a request from Kardashian to purchase a rare Mini Kelly handbag for North when she was still very young. 

The revelation came from a former employee of the Hermès boutique in Beverly Hills, who spoke anonymously about the incident. The salesperson recalled that the celebrity power couple had attempted to secure a black Mini Kelly for their daughter, an item that sits among the most coveted accessories in the luxury market.

“Not every celebrity got what they wanted,” the salesperson said, reflecting on their time working at the boutique. “Kanye West and Kim Kardashian wanted a black Mini Kelly bag for North or something like that. And Hermès said no.”

The refusal reportedly came from Hermès’ corporate office rather than the boutique itself. The insider explained that requests from extremely high-profile clients often move up the chain because of the likelihood that any purchase will be photographed publicly. 

“I have no idea why, but we were like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I think at that point it goes through corporate, because if someone who’s that high profile wants something, then obviously they’re going to be photographed in it — and they don’t want just anyone photographed in it,” the former employee said.

© James Devaney

The bag in question was no ordinary accessory. The Mini Kelly crafted from exotic alligator skin, is among the rarest variations of the iconic design from Hermès. 

While the brand famously does not publicly disclose retail prices, such pieces can command staggering figures on the resale market, often between $75,000 and $82,000 depending on condition and color.

Ironically, North had already been spotted carrying Hermès before the reported rejection. In 2019, when she was just six years old, she stepped out in New York City alongside her mother with a white Birkin bag estimated to be worth around $10,000. 

© Backgrid UK/The Grosby Group

That wardrobe has only expanded since. Over the years, North has been seen showcasing an eclectic rotation of designer handbags on social media and in public appearances, including pieces from Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior and Balenciaga. 

Among the most playful items in her collection are crystal clutches by Judith Leiber Couture, famous for its whimsical novelty designs. North reportedly owns several of the jeweled pieces, including a pizza slice clutch and a Cinderella carriage, each valued at about $5,695, along with a strawberry donut version worth roughly $4,195.

Miniature statement bags from Louis Vuitton also appear frequently in her collection, including colorful mini purses and a cherry-themed version estimated at around $5,125. 

© Christian Vierig

She has also been photographed carrying a Prada Crystal Re-Edition 2005 bag valued at about $5,100 and a vintage ostrich-leather Saddle bag from Dior. Meanwhile, modern favorites from Balenciaga, including the La Cagole and the crystal-embellished Hourglass, round out the mix of playful and high fashion.

Her fashion résumé extends into couture as well. North has worn designs from Jean Paul Gaultier, Vetements, and Chanel, sometimes coordinating dramatic looks with her mother during high-profile appearances.

Some of the most unusual pieces in North’s collection, however, come not from fashion houses but from pop music history. Her parents purchased several items once owned by the late Michael Jackson at specialized auctions. 

© Backgrid/The Grosby Group

One of the most notable is a black velvet jacket Jackson wore during the 65th birthday celebration of Elizabeth Taylor and at the premiere of his short film Ghosts at the Cannes Film Festival. 

Designed by Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, the jacket features a sparkling vine motif across the shoulder with white stones, pearls and rhinestone tassels. The piece was purchased at Julien’s Auctions for $65,625 and was temporarily altered so North could wear it as a child.

© KimandNorth

Another prized artifact from the same auction is the cream-colored fedora Jackson famously wore in the 1988 music video for “Smooth Criminal.” The hat, purchased for $56,250, still reportedly contains traces of the singer’s stage makeup inside. North has even incorporated the piece into Halloween costumes recreating some of Jackson’s most iconic looks, including the aesthetic from the album ‘Bad.’

The family’s fascination with such memorabilia reflects a broader trend of collecting pop culture relics tied to legendary artists. In North’s case, the pieces blend personal style with music history, turning her wardrobe into something closer to a miniature archive of fashion, celebrity, and pop mythology.