The moment Hermes retires a shade, collectors begin the hunt.
If you’ve ever found yourself chasing a Birkin (or Kelly or Constance) in a discontinued color, you know the allure. When Hermes retires a color, it can become legendary, the stuff of luxury lore. Its rarity fuels desire, turning discontinued hues into unicorns on the resale market. Once a color disappears, it can become almost impossible to track down (unless you shop at FASHIONPHILE, of course). Ready to run the spectrum of discontinued Hermes colors?
The Thrill of the Hunt
Hermes colors fall into three groups: classic, seasonal, and discontinued. The classics are the house staples—Noir, Rouge H, Etoupe, Gold, and Orange H joined over time by Blanc, Craie, Rouge Casaque, Etain, and Bleu Nuit. Seasonal colors are introduced twice a year, for the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter collections, and some of these shades stick around for multiple years. Others disappear after one run, either being rested or retired entirely. Once a color is discontinued, it can only be found on the resale market.
Occasionally, Hermes resurrects a shade from its archives. This cycle of release, rest, retirement, and occasional revival keeps Hermes’ color palette dynamic, creating a sense of unpredictability and rarity that makes discontinued colors highly prized.
Discontinued Hermes Colors
While this guide highlights the colors most widely regarded as discontinued, it is not a definitive list. A discontinued Hermes shade can always resurface, just as a seasonal release can disappear after a single year. For collectors, that uncertainty is part of the chase.
One such color is Rose Sakura, the lust-worthy Hermes pink that was modeled on Japanese cherry blossoms. Thought to have been discontinued, Rose Sakura rose from the vaults in 2021, losing its discontinued—but not its coveted—status.
Haute Tip: Remember, color is not constant. It differs leather to leather, with some leather-color combinations resulting in ultra-rare—and highly coveted—finds.
Hermes Bougainvillea
Unlike its floral namesake, Hermes Bougainvillea does not come back every year. Like the flower, it’s vibrant and hard to miss. The Hermes red with undertones of raspberry and pink was introduced around Fall/Winter 2009 and is often seen in Clemence and Togo.
Hermes Rosy
Rosy appeared briefly in Fall/Winter 2013. It is a balanced pink, softer than Rose Jaipur but stronger than Rose Sakura. Seen mainly in Swift, it has a warmth that sets it apart in the Hermes pink family. Its production was short-lived, and Rosy quickly became scarce on the resale market.
Hermes Potiron
French for pumpkin, Potiron is an Hermes orange with a more muted brown undertone. It was released in 2003 and seen on items up until around 2005. Most Hermes Potiron pieces were produced in Chevre De Coromandel, Taurillon Clemence, and Togo leathers.
Hermes Mangue
In 2011, Hermes launched Mangue, a saturated mango tone balanced between yellow and orange. It was produced in Clemence and Togo, but only briefly. Its rarity made it a tropical flashpoint for collectors seeking something outside the usual spectrum.
Hermes Soufre
Soufre debuted in 2012. The name means sulfur in French, and the shade delivered exactly that: a high-impact yellow with a sharp, acidic edge. Seen in Epsom, Soufre was in and out fast, but it left a mark as one of the boldest Hermes yellows.
Hermes Granny
Named after a Granny Smith apple (not your grandmother), Granny is a bright green hue. This Vintage color originated in the 1990s when it was known as Vert Cru. Before 1999, it was produced in Gulliver leather, which was discontinued that year. The color was then reintroduced by Hermes in 2005 as Swift leather and resurfaced again around 2012.
Hermes Vert Anis
Vert Anis appeared in the mid-2000s and lived up to its name with a citrus-green punch. It shows best in Clemence and Togo, where the shade has depth. Retired quickly, and it became one of the early examples of Hermes greens turning into cult objects.
Hermes Vert Olive
Sometime in the early 2000s, Hermes introduced Vert Olive as a muted counterpoint to its brighter greens. Often seen in Clemence, it has olive undertones that work as a neutral. After being discontinued, Vert Olive rose in status for its understated character.
Hermes Prune
Like its namesake, Prune is a deep purple with reddish undertones. Introduced in 2008, it was discontinued shortly after in 2010. This rich shade appeared in multiple leathers, including Box, Buffle, Swift, Taurillion Clemence, Evercolor, Chevre Mysore, Evergrain, and Fjord.
Hermes Lilac
Hermes debuted Lilac in the early 2000s, a soft pastel purple, falling between pink and violet. It was seen mainly in Swift leather. Lilac had a short run and has since become a Holy Grail shade for those drawn to rare Hermes purples.
Hermes Glycine
Hermes released Glycine in the early 2010s, a lilac-pink shade named for wisteria. It has more depth than pale pastels and often appears in Swift. Its production was brief, but it carved out a following among collectors who wanted a refined lavender tone.
Hermes Argile
Argile, meaning clay in French, was introduced in 2009. A gray-beige neutral, it’s popular in Clemence and Swift. Argile was discontinued after a few years, but its restrained tone gives it lasting appeal among buyers who favor subtle shades.
Happy Hermes Hunting
Want to explore the Hermes rainbow? Discover A Quick Guide Comparing Hermes Leathers and Colors. As always, you can shop all Hermes at FASHIONPHILE and filter results by your favorite color.
