Hermès 101: Everything about Hermès

エルメス101 : エルメスの全て

You've probably heard of the "Kelly" and "Birkin" at least once.
Speaking of the brand that produced these legendary items,
The well-known brand is Hermès.

In this spotlight,
We will explore the charm of Hermes, known as the king of brands.
Let's delve deeper into this deep world.



"The legend began in 1837"

The founder,
Taking the surname of Thierry Hermès,
It started as a workshop that made horse tack for the carriages of aristocrats.

The iconic logo of the carriage has no passengers.
"It is the customer who controls the horse (Hermès) that pulls the carriage."
This symbol carries the message:
Hermes products are made to be close to the customer,
It is meant to complement a lifestyle.



"The orange box that symbolizes the brand ,
Coincidence becomes destiny"


During World War II, due to a shortage of materials,
Hermes can no longer use its traditional cream-colored boxes.
I had no choice but to use the orange box.

However, its vivid personality quickly attracted attention.
It eventually became a symbol of Hermes.
A chance choice turned into a fateful decision.

"A representative item of Hermes"

#1 Carre

Hermes started making scarves
Robert Dumas , the fourth generation of the founding family,
It all started in 1937 when it was proposed as a new development for the brand.

Made from the highest quality silk,
It features a complex and beautiful design that is like a work of art.





#2 Bags


In 1892, the first bag was produced using horse tack manufacturing techniques.
This coincided with the transition period from horse-drawn carriages to trains as a means of transportation,
In response to customer requests for "bags for traveling by train," Hermes began producing items other than saddlery.


"And that's how Haute Couture was born.
(Haut à Courroies)"




This was the trigger,
This will be the first step for the brand to develop fashion items.

Later, in 1903, they began selling fashion items such as women's bags and wallets,
In 1927, the company expanded its business to include watches and fashion accessories.

"The world's first zippered bag,
Bolide




Hermes' Bolide bag
It was born in 1923 as the world's first zippered bag.
The founder, Emile Maurice Hermès, was inspired by a zipper patent he had found in the United States.
It is introduced as a travel bag.
It features a rounded shape and practicality.
A classic item that continues to be widely loved today.



"Grace Kelly's choice,
Timeless elegance"



When former Hollywood actress and later Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly was caught on paparazzi camera,
The photo of her hiding her pregnant belly with her Hermes Sac à Croix bag is a very famous story .


As a result, the Hermes bag that was introduced in 1935 would later be called the "Kelly."



Other famous brands include Birkin and Evelyn,
There are many classic products that have been loved throughout the ages, such as Constance, Airbag, and Picotin.

"Hermès respects tradition,
It's evolving with the times."

Find out more about Evelyn here

Check out Constance bags here


#3 Silver Jewelry


Hermes silver jewelry first appeared in the 1980s.
It features a delicate and sophisticated design using silver.
In particular, Hermès' signature craftsmanship and simple yet powerful designs are highly praised.

Check out this article for more details




"Each one is engraved,
True Luxury"


Hermes products are also engraved with letters and numbers, making it possible to know when and by which craftsman they were made.

The engraving can also be seen as proof that the company provides reliable technology and quality .

In addition, in 2015, Hermès closed its leather tanneries in order to protect its unique craftsmanship and stabilize the supply of leather materials.
They went so far as to acquire Tanneries du Puy .

It is precisely because of Hermes' attention to detail that it continues to be loved as the world's best leather goods brand.



"Why is Hermes still loved?"

Hermes products are
It is said that the value increases the moment you buy it.
This is due to the special manufacturing process in which each bag is handcrafted by a single craftsman from start to finish.

In other words, the bag is "handmade" and made just for one person.

While many brands have been grouped under corporate umbrellas, Hermes has continued to exist as a standalone company throughout its long history.
In today's hyper-consumerist society, Hermes' unwavering commitment is highly valued.
It will continue to have value.