Dedicated to craftsmanship and leather.
1837 | PARIS, FRANCE | Thierry Hermès
HERMÈS is one of the world's leading luxury brands.
Its history begins in 1837 when Thierry Hermès, who worked as a harness and saddle maker, established a workshop in Basse-du-Rempart, near the Madeleine Church, to subcontract the production of equestrian equipment. His equestrian equipment gained a reputation for its high quality, and after Napoleon III ascended to the throne, he became a craftsman to the royal family.
After Thierry's death, his successor, his second son Charles, honed his skills and exhibited a saddle at the 1878 Paris World's Fair, winning a gold medal. Subsequently, the company moved its base to 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where Hermès still has its flagship store today, and began manufacturing and selling equestrian equipment such as saddles, gloves, and bags.
As the primary mode of transportation shifted from horses to automobiles in the 20th century, Hermès leveraged its advanced technology to manufacture and sell not only equestrian equipment but also leather goods, watches, clothing, and accessories, becoming a leader in global fashion.
From the 1980s to the 1990s, with the aim of preserving the skills of excellent craftsmen for future generations, the company acquired British shoe brand JOHN LOBB, Saint Louis, famous for its crystal products, and silverware company PUIFORCAT, among others.
HERMÈS takes great pride in its leather goods, stemming from its origins as a saddlery workshop. It's well-known among fans that, in principle, one craftsman handles every step of the manufacturing process for their leather products. Many of their products are stamped with the craftsman's number, alphanumeric characters indicating the atelier, and the year of manufacture, and when repairs are needed, they are sent back to the craftsman who made them for repairs.
Among Hermès' signature items are the simple yet elegant Kelly bag, named after the Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, who used it, and the classic Bolide bag, famous for being the first bag in the world to feature a zipper. But perhaps the most coveted of all is the Birkin bag.
The Birkin bag is a popular choice for women due to its large size, ample storage capacity, and versatility, matching both elegant and casual outfits. Its story—that it was created when singer and actress Jane Birkin happened to be sitting next to the president of Hermès on a plane—has further contributed to its popularity among many women. However, it's incredibly difficult to obtain, and even after ordering, it can take one to two years to arrive, making it truly a legendary item.
The current artistic director for women's ready-to-wear is Nadège Vanhe-Cybulski, who has worked for brands such as Maison Martin Margiela and Celine. The artistic director for men's wear has been Véronique Nichanian for nearly 30 years.
While Hermès' products, such as bags and clothing, may subtly display the "H" logo, they rarely prominently display the brand logo. This may be a reflection of Hermès' confidence that an ostentatious logo is unnecessary.