Collection SS2016: Bonnes Vibrations

Pierre Marie’s intriguing, complex composition is inspired, he says, by "the invisible forces of Nature".

In the 18th century, the German physician Ernst Florens Friedrich Chladni (the inventor of a musical instrument known as the euphon, and the author of a treatise on acoustics) performed an unusual experiment. He took a copper disc, sprinkled it with fine sand and ran a violin bow along its outer edge.  The resulting musical vibrations had a surprising side effect: the sand particles organized themselves into geometric patterns, known today as Chladni figures. 

"Imagine my astonishment, when I saw what no man had ever seen before" he declared.  "A ten- or twelve-pointed star appeared before my eyes".  Pierre Marie presents his own interpretation of Chladni’s ' "geometry of sound".

Collection 2015: La Maison des Carrés

To ring in the new year, I thought of a design to celebrate one more aspect of the Maison.

La Maison des Carrés is the name of Hermes' online boutique, dedicated to the iconic Hermès silk square.

To celebrate the concept, La Maison des Carrés is a delightful, colourful, humorous account of the creation of an Hermès silk square, from its initial inspiration to the point of sale, with a peek at the colouring and printing processes along the way.  Here, too, are the house museum and its cabinet of curiosities (the inspiration for so many designs), the creative studio – that vital incubator of talent – and last but not least the actors who escort each carré on its great adventure, together with the hubs and nerve centres where each scarf’s destiny is spun and woven, before being tied at the neck, shoulders, waist or head of whoever chooses to buy it and take it home.  

Collection SS2015: Promenade à Versailles

Hermes has launched a lovely scarf in support of the restauration of the Palace of Versailles.

Versailles is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art.  Began as Louis XIII's humble hunting lodge, Versailles had been transformed by Louis XIV, the Sun King, to accommodate his court and the government of France, officially moving in in 1682.

Versailles continued to be the seat of power in France until the French Revolution, in 1789; each of the three French Kings who lived there until then have added improvements to make it more beautiful!  Versailles has continued to unfurl its splendour over the course of centuries, both during the official seat of the government and beyond.

The structure of the scarf design is a reflection of the garden paths through the gardens - while the individual scenes mirror the splendours of the domain (the King's Grand Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the statues, the gardens).

It is available only by special order, from May 1st until July 31st, and the actual scarf will be delivered starting December, 2015.