Collection FW2014: Un Jardin sur le Toit

One of the nicest designs in my mind, a veritable postcard of a world apart, "Un Jardin sur le toit" ("A garden on the roof") depicts the now-legendary Maison head office at 24, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré with its rooftop garden - a wonderful oasis in the middle of a busy city and a constant source of inspiration for plant lovers and Hermes' own in-house "nose", the equally legendary perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena (the one who created the fragrance with the same name and whose creation inspired the launch of this wonderful carré design, which had originally (2011) accompanied the perfume bottles for the launch).

The white-and-green border is superb, infusing light and energy into the carré and triggering admirations from on-lookers.

Collection SS2015: Glitch

Initially, the word “glitch” was used to describe an electronic malfunction that distorted the image on the screen. This phenomenon gave rise to a new aesthetic developed by the glitch art movement. For this scarf, designer Dimitri Rybaltchenko ushers the Hermes Ex-Libris into the digital age, subjecting it to this unexpected effect.

Collection FW2014: Happy Meeting

I've been avoiding writing on this "Happy Meeting", but then I came across this one, which I really liked, and imagining it worn, I decided it was time to feature it in its splendour.

A meeting is enough!  The unexpected and happy meeting of two patterns put together to be of one mind.

In total, seven assembled patterns are metamorphosing into new scarves: our 'Cheval' becomes 'Phoenix', 'Camails' are pulled into the 'Circuit 24 Faubourg' and the 'Roy' dresses up with 'Plumets'.

Your imagination lets one pattern or another shine through.

Collection FW2014: Ex-Libris à Carreaux

Interesting pattern?  You bet !

Magic Knot?  You bet !

Cotton fabrics in warm colours – named for Madras, the Indian city where they originated – blend here with tartans of every hue and shade, and a checkerboard of multicoloured squares. 

The motif, with its play of straight lines and right angles, contains a thousand variations on a constant theme. In multiples of eight, ten, twenty, the lines become thinner and thicker, running parallel or criss-crossing in infinite combinations and colourways, adding further depth and complexity. Some have been chosen here to interlock and combine in circles, straight lines and curves. The composition engenders a motif dear to the house of Hermès: the famous Ex-Libris, squared.

Collection FW2014: Quadri

This vintage carré is so simple and so wonderful, it's surprisingly uplifting.

Collection FW2014: Brides et Gris-Gris

Buckles, riding-crops, finely-decorated head-pieces, bridles, reins and snaffle bits… From the outset, the house of Hermès has celebrated the art of bridlery, contributing to elevate it to the noble status it deserves. Each piece, from the simplest to the most complex design, demands faultless expertise for the well-being of mount and rider alike. Drawing on this rich repertoire, Virgine Jamin offers a contemporary take on these timeless motifs, a spiralling portrait of rings and plaits… Leaving nothing to chance, the silhouettes of some of the house’s iconic objects have been added to the mix in the form of leather fobs or lucky charms – a little horse, a stirrup, a tall riding-hat, finished with the inimitable saddle stitch.

Collection SS2014: Mors et Gourmettes Remix

A very popular classic has been reissued in a contemporary motif - somehow reminding me of the Liberty textiles.  The colors are soft and wonderful (both in the 90cm and 140 cashmere and silk).

A sophisticated look for a lucky lady.

Collection SS2014: Le Jardin de Leila

This scarf is a tribute to Leïla Menchari, Hermes' Head Stylist since 1977, in charge of the window displays at Hermes' main boutique on rue du Faubourg St-Honoré.  Four times a year, she enchants visitors and passers-by with visual feasts, bringing together elements from distinct Eastern and Western cultures in hallucinating celebrations for the eye and soul.

Reminiscent of "Fantaisie Pittoresque" of 2008, and of "Les Jardins des métamorphoses" ("The Gardens of Metamorphoses"), this scarf - modestly entitled "Leïla's Garden" - depicts scenes from a magic place in Leïla's native city of Hammamet, in Tunisia - a private garden she came to discover when she was only 10 and which, through a series of events, became hers when the owners passed.  This garden - featuring native and exotic plants alike, Roman columns and artifacts imported from around the Mediterranean basin, and populated by beautiful birds - including peacocks, captured prominently in one of the scarf's corners - has served as a source of inspiration for countless artists and patrons of the arts.

"This garden is possessed of the powers of its deep soil, imprinted with Roman ruins, and nourished by the humus of all the seasons. I entered this world at the age of ten, via the beach that runs next to it. By chance? Or fate – I have never left. Vines take root in the vast trees, their strange, almost animal blossoms adding to the climate of mystery. Time becomes fluid, impalpable. This kingdom of plants is inhabited by the murmur of wind in the bamboo, by birdsong and the melodious croaking of frogs from the depths of the ponds. And so I walked straight to the heart of this surreal, natural scene, which later became the source of inspiration for my decorations for Hermès. Anyone entering this place is struck by the graceful beauty of its elements: they will embrace you, or escape you, reconstruct you in the image of your vision of the world, your sensibility, your relationship to the elements. Do we not say that a garden is the image of Paradise?" - Leïla Menchari

Collection SS2014: Les Facéties de Pégase

One of the most impactful designs of this season is the "Les Facéties de Pégase" ("the Pleasantries of Pegasus") - a mythical creature born from Medusa's cut off head, who took flight towards the sky.

A gorgeous design from one of my favorite artists - Dimitri Rybaltchenko (whose father Vladimir preceded him in offering beautiful designs to be captured on silk and who offered one some of the most unforgettable designs, of which "onde de chic" - another reissue of this season - and "cheval surprise" - which I have framed in my living room)

Collection SS2014: De la Mer au Ciel

Braving the cold weather in Paris is often rewarded when you take a trip to the legendary Hermes boutique on Faubourg St-Honoré, in search of new treasures.

This season sees the return of many Hermes classics: both reissues of popular designs as well as celebrated artists, whose names have graced the pages of this blog - and countless collectors' and admirers' wardrobes alike.

Not little has my amazement been when I came across this spectacular new design of the Spring-Summer 2014 collection, called "de la mer au ciel" (from the Sea to the Sky) by Laurence Bourthoumieux, a prolific artist whose past designs have been instant hits with the H fans: "Promenade au pays de Cezanne", "Parures de Sables", "Parures Océanes", "Aloha", "Brazil" and "Brazil II" and, more recently, "Mythiques Phoenix".  This is a stark departure from those designs, albeit no less impactful and memorable.

From the Sea to the Sky depicts the aquatic life and the birds of the skies in a harmonious cohabitation.  It also makes you lift the imagination to the sky and dream.

It wears wonderfully and the richness of the colours makes this design easy to wear and match with multiple outfits.

Treasure Find - Collection SS2012: Cheval de Mer

This is a beautiful design I recently came across in grey-petrol - below - a truly spectacular scarf, whose shine yet discreet design make for a very elegant accessory - for men and women alike.

Just wonderful !

Collection FW2013: I Like Flowers

A favorite of mine, Leigh P. Cooke has been invited to create another organic pattern.  The result: a combination of "Fleurs de fuchsia" and "Des fleurs pour le dire", but in an original pattern that spells out "I like flowers I think flowers like me".  Some of the colors are the usual pastel pink, blue or green (see below), but others - the one above, in a very warm white and the one immediately below, in a vibrant mustard yellow, are certain to turn heads

They also wear great, because they're discreet without losing their luxurious feel.

Collection: FW2013: Parcours d'Hermes

The effect of this scarf, titled "Hermes Journeys" is equally magnetic and drawing the viewer inside the maze in an enchanting song of hide-and-seek.

What I love is the two dots, in opposite corners, breaking the monotony of the "game", and adding an extra layer of charm to this otherwise mythical silk journey of discovery.

Collection FW2013 - Special Edition: Hermes a Beverly Hills

I love this design, suggesting the reflection of majestic palm trees into the water of a swimming pool. This has been created to mark the reopening of the Beverly Hills boutique.

Note the famous Greek pattern found along the door frames at the entrance of every Hermes boutique - gracefully featured along the sides of the scarf.

Collection FW2013: Grand Manège Giant Twill

First launched in 1990, this design proved so successful, it has been reissued at least seven times since then - its popularity increasing with every new reissue, since the colours continue to make it contemporary despite the classic pattern and layout.  It is rumoured that even Queen Elisabeth has one in this pattern.

Collection SS2013: Piqué Fleuri de Provence (Gavroche)

As promised, here's the smaller version of the scarf featured last week - in 45cm.  These tiny treasures represent the core of the larger versions.

One of my personal favourite is the green, blues and golf version, shown featured as a next scarf:

Collection SS2013: Piqué Fleuri de Provence

Reminiscent of the "Chasse en Inde", this luscious scarf is a beautiful mix of flowers that glorify Provence - the belle oasis of France that produces some of the most impactful sensory fragrances - both in nature and in perfume and cologne bottles.

A very versatile scarf that you can match with tons of combinations (and one of my favorite in the pochette size, which I'll feature next week).

Collection FW2013: Yachting

Today I'm proposing elegance through simplicity: the design of this scarf makes it stand out in the sea of colours coming from other patterns.

"Simplicity is Complexity Resolved" said Brancusi, one of the most influential sculptures of the 20th century.

The silk jersey makes this scarf, in vintage 70cm format, light to wear - a perfect accessory when the regular silk twill feels too formal.

Dog Collars, the title of this scarf, depicts parallel dog necklaces, each one more beautiful than the one next to it.  Offered in cashmere and silk blend, this shawl wears beautifully, reminding me of "La Femme aux semelles de vent".  

Collection FW2013: Fleurs et Papillons de Tissus

One of my favourite designs of the season, "Fleurs et Papillons de Tissus" ("Fabric Flowers and Butterflies") - so rich and sophisticated, and the colour combinations are truly wonderful.  Plus, given my preference for organic elements of design, this is certain to turn many heads.

An interesting note that this design has been issued both in silk (90cm) and cashmere/silk blend (140cm) in no less than 15 colour combinations.

Collection FW2013: Carré Cube

"Carré-cube" - a geometric design meant to draw you in and have you lost in a 3D maze of mystery and silk - or silk and cashmere, as is the case with the scarf above.

"Carré" in French means square, and the word stuck for the scarves which come in a square shape.  The name of this scarf is also a witty twist on geometry terms - squared and cubed being the measurements most often associated with surface areas and volume respectively.

Collection: FW2013: Petit Duc

After a long hiatus, I am coming back with a stunning design from the Fall/Winter 2013 collection: Petit Duc (Small Phaeton).  The breakdown of the landscape into four quadrants, the juxtaposition of the various parts against the overall phaeton (itself enclosed in a wheel) suggests a blueprint of a beautiful idea that comes, triumphantly, to life.

Something as delicate as silk, wrapped graciously around someone's delicate neck, depicts elements of engineering and rough, street pavement-hitting hardware - each of which is designed to make life more enjoyable.

Note the rich yet warm colours, and the sophisticated look this scarf brings to its wearer.