Collection SS2015: Brandebourgs

A very popular design has been re-issued in a gavroche size (45cm/16in) for all those loving the reference to military and their wonderful, unforgettable parades.  Who doesn't remember (fondly!) running to the first row of on-lookers gathered along a wide boulevard to watch a festive military parade?  The instruments, the swords, the flags, and not least the long lines of troops, all in splendid regalia, marching at the same pace in the rhythms of their own music ?

I've always dreamt of being in Paris on the 14th of July, and I'm yet to make my dream a reality.  One day, I'll post the pics, to share the joy.

Collection SS2015: Washington's Clamp Dye

The third in the series of original blue and red colours, this scarf brings together the two

"Clamp dyeing" is a tie and dye technique. They are made through folding and pressing within two wood blocks retained by links. This ancestral technique makes each scarf unique.

Collection SS2015: Les Cles Shibori

This is Part II of the return to the roots of the history of colour.  Today, I feature this artisanal line that celebrates a second natural pigment: madder, the original red.

Bagru clay, whose nuances extend from red to orange, is a mixture of clay and madder roots, the composition a secret known only to our indian artisans. 

"Shibori" is a Japanese word which illustrates all the tie & dye techniques. They are made through the tying, the folding, the sewing or embroidery of a fabric. This ancestral technique makes each scarf unique.

Collection SS2011: Ferronnerie

Last week I was talking about the nostalgia of times past, and this scarf brings to life the romanticized world of craftsmanship as we would experience it today predominantly in History books. 

The year 2011 has been dedicated by Hermes to the artisans - the passionate visionaries who invest their time in intellectual or manual tasks, finely sculpting in effect the time in effect creating something with their time.  So I couldn't think of a better ode to the creative act performed with passion, pleasure and delight than "Ferronnerie" ("ironwork").

The magic of this design stems from the beauty of the precious creations that ennobled one's life in discreet yet impactful ways; its charm stems from allowing us to realize that nowadays, the need to satisfy an increasingly large market has led to mass-production, resulting in ubiquitous yet uninspiring, mundane objects.   Repetitive work, exceedingly uncreative, means degradation - not only of human activity but also of time's significance.  Time is better wasted than enslaved and left to shrivel with each day's repetitions.

Real work involves the mind and the entire body, leaving behind wrought iron hinges born of inspiration, contributing to culture and bearing witness to the passion that went into their creation.  And how glorious these finely sculpted creations are, and how precious was the time spent creating them !  That's likely because every artist is the parent of what he/she does, not only metaphorically but also viscerally.

This scarf is a successful reissue from 1970 in the smaller format (70cm).  The colour combinations in this pattern infuse a great deal of life and joy into the design - sentiments echoed by the presence of ribbons swirling around the edges.  Those same colour combinations also instill the vintage air into them, rendering them all the more desirable, despite the more traditional pattern.

Collection FW2007: Carnets de bal

Ahead of my upcoming trip to Europe, I have been imagining the places to check out and the activities to fill my time with, and during this exercise in day-dreaming, I recalled another voyage of discovery to a place far-far away that succeeded to enchant me beyond my wildest expectations from the first moment I set foot in the airport.  If you thought of my time abroad in 2007, you guessed correctly that I was referring to Japan, a land whose people (and beauty) marked me for life and continues to inspire me to this day.

During my time there, Hermes had launched "Carnets de bal" ("Dance Cards"), a design representative of the beautiful Art Nouveau movement.  Dance cards, at their peak in the 18th century, served to remind society ladies the order of the dances they were to perform, along with the names of their partners (interestingly, mend eventually adopted them as well).  As this design illustrates, dance cards evolved to elaborate "objets d'art", highly decorative objects often ornate with precious materials (silver, gold, ivory or pearls) and jewels.

The contour of the "frame" onto which the dance cards are displayed reminds me of the Parisian "Metro" entrances of yesteryears, designed by Hector Guimard, that added even further to the metropolis' charm.

This design manages to appeal to younger and more matures audiences alike, as it maintains its unique femininity both when displayed and when knotted.  And one of my personal favourites, particularly since I associate this beautiful design with a place that I found most beloved !

Collection FW2007: Bolduc au Carré

A model from the FW2007, "Bolduc au Carré" ("Ribbon Squared") is simply charming.  The scarf design pays tribute to one of the subtle yet iconic elements of the Maison, the thin ribbon used to wrap the gift boxes.


The design illustrates a pattern of different coloured-ribbons, harmoniously weaved into a "cloth".  It's an impactful design, perhaps a little mature in the colours that I featured, but definitely young in some more vibrant colours, as issued by the House since 2007, in both traditional silk scarves and cashmere/silk shawls.  A truly timeless design !