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Thierry Hermes
Thierry Hermes is born in Krefeld, Germany to a French immigrant father and a German mother. Due to its strong textile history, the town of Krefeld is known as ‘Stadt wie Samt und Seide’, or ‘City of Velvet and Silk’. -
Au Revoir Krefeld..
The Hermes family moves to Pont Audemer, north of Paris, where the now young adult Thierry learns the trade of leather making and begins working as a saddler. -
Et Voila, A Brand is Born..!
Thierry Hermes establishes the French House of Hermes as a equestrian harness workshop along the Grands Boulevards of Paris. The workshop’s main purpose was to serve the noblemen of Europe while also creating wrought iron harnesses and bridles for carriage trade. -
An Evolving Brand
The brand receives a good amount of recognition over the years and after Thierry passes away in 1878, the company is passed off to his sons who begin to expand with both audience and product line in mind. In 1900, they develop the first Hermes bag, which was designed for riders to travel with their saddles. -
Hello Handbags
The first leather handbags are introduced after Emile-Maurice's (one Thierry's sons) wife complains of not being able to find one to her liking. Emile-Maurice personally designed and modeled it after the totes used by Argentinian cowboys while on a trip to South America. -
Les États-Unis
Hermes debuts in the US and expands outside of Paris to the resort towns in France. Over the next 10 years, the brand would expand to apparel and launch one of their most coveted bags to-date: Sac à dépêches -
The First Scarf and Beyond..
Hermes introduces the silk scarf which instantly becomes a huge hit with celebrities such as Jackie O. Shortly after the first bracelet as well as the riding jacket/outfit join the classic collection. The designers are also becoming inspired by books, paintings, and art around of the time. -
Picture or it didn't happen..
Newly named Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly is photographed by the paparazzi carrying the Sac à dépêches to cover her baby bump. This photo lands the cover of Life Magazine and as a result the Hermes brand is splashed all over America. Suddenly women were running to Hermes stores asking for the ‘Kelly Bag’ and as a result Hermes renames the bag to what is known today as The Kelly Bag. -
The most famous (and expensive) bag yet
The famous Birkin Bag is introduced and got its namesake from English/French actress/singer Jane Birkin. This bag is considered to be the most coveted bag from the luxury brand (and throughout the world). Depending on the leather and hardware used during production, the bags can have a price tag upwards of $150,000 and come with 6+ year wait list. -
Fun Facts
-Still in the family for six generations, in 2012 Axel Dumas is named CEO of the company and remains in position today
-There are 240 stores worldwide including the downtown NYC location on Wall Street and the iconic flagship store on Madison Ave
-Study conducted by Baghunter revealed that the Birkin bag has been a better investment than stocks or gold over the previous 35 years
-About every 20 seconds, Hermes sells one silk scarf
-Jane wants her name back!
