Collection SS2015: Steeple Chase

According to popular legend, steeple-chasing was born in Ireland, in the 18th century. Two riders, each eager to prove the unmatched quality of his horse, decided to compete in a race across country. The pair chose two prominent church towers to mark the start and finish of their course, over four miles, from one steeple to the next, tackling every possible obstacle along the way – hedges and fences, ditches, stone walls and streams. Only in the 19th century did races of this type receive official recognition in England, in the county of Bedfordshire. 

Inspired by the tough challenge of the steeple-chase, Virginie Jamin sets a host of jockeys and mounts racing around the borders of her carré, poised to gallop through the graphic, central circuit, like pieces in a colourful board game..

Collection FW2009: Cocottes de soie

Today I will start the review of the Hermes Fall/Winter 2009 scarf collection with one of the most impactful scarf.


My love and appreciation for Japan is captured in this marvellous design, depicting origami (folded paper) horses arranged to form a large "H". I find the orange perhaps a little too bright to wear (I am yet to see the scarf, this is a virtual rendition of the fall/winter 2009 collection), but this scarf, framed, would make a fantastic display. 

I cannot recall whether the previous "vintage-style" scarves (of which this one belongs, of 70cm x 70cm) were as "thin" as this one, but I must confess, I was really taken by how light and uncharacteristically Hermes this scarf is.  


Of interest is also the pattern along the scarf edges, where swatches of paper (or fabric), identical to the material used to make the origami horses, are in apparent disorder - the effect of this drawing approach is to infuse both balance and a sense of completeness into the design.


Despite the surprising, "vintage" feel, I absolutely adore this pattern and I stand by my belief that this scarf shows beautifully both displayed and worn.