The Hermès brand has established itself as the epitome of luxury, and at the heart of its luxury status is an ability to produce exquisite, timeless bags. The brand’s unparalleled prestige in the global fashion industry rests largely on the values of craftsmanship and tradition which are deeply rooted in the ethos of Hermès, ensuring its products are always much sought after for impeccable design and quality. The origins of this commitment to high standards lie in a small business that started off as a harness workshop, supplying the European nobility with their equestrian requirements.
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A history of luxury and style
Established in Paris in the year 1837, Hermès was founded by Thierry Hermès after he moved from Krefeld, Germany. With only six employees, his first workshop specialised in manufacturing high-quality harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade.
Due to the workshop’s success in the ensuing years, Hermès gained the right to occupy a shop in the Palais de l’Élysée, the official residence of the prince and future emperor Napoleon III. Thierry quickly made a name for himself as the person to consult for those seeking excellence in leather goods. Special touches added to products identified them as undisputably made by Hermès. Carriage cases and harnesses were lined in padded silk, and saddles stitched with an identifying design. Hardware was custom-made and often carried a horse motif. A tradition of using only the finest materials worked on by the most skilled craftsmen has been carried forward from those early years to the Hermès we know today.
In 1880, Hermès’s son Charles-Émile took over management from his father. With the increase in popularity of horse transport, he constructed a new workshop at 9 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where it remains to this day.
Decades later, when the era of saddle-making was coming to an end, Hermès anticipated this by specialising in crafting car interiors and luggage. The company debuted its first-ever handbags in 1922. The Haut à Courroies, which eventually evolved into the highly popular Birkin, was based on a bag originally designed to transport a saddle.
The iconic Hermès Birkin bag
The handmade Birkin bag’s superior quality and uniqueness, combined with the legend of its origin, have contributed to its fame and exclusivity. Named after one of the most beloved and imitated fashion icons of all time, actress and singer Jane Birkin, it is the most iconic and highly coveted bag by Hermès. It is described as ‘The legendary bag of Hermès, the symbol of your identity’ as purchasers have the freedom to personalise one to their liking. Tailored orders have included a solid gold embedded Birkin bag and a red crocodile skin bag, adorned with diamonds, which sold at auction for over $64,000. However, getting hold of a Birkin bag is no easy task, even if you have the money. Depending on the materials used and the degree of craftsmanship, a single Hermès bag can take days or even weeks to create!
Hermès bags – quality and sustainability
Each Hermès bag is entirely made by one craftsperson. All are hand-stitched using a very small needle to make the thousands of stitches needed to create a sturdy seam. For Hermès, the standard is perfection, and a single handbag requires between 18 and 24 hours – an intense journey to completion. The craftsperson’s signature will be seen on the interior of the bag.
Using traditional methods of crafting and manufacturing, optimising eco-design for long-lasting products, and employing environmentally-sensitive methods of material preservation, sustainability is integrated into every aspect of the Hermès brand.
Preserving a legacy – the Hermès commitment to excellence
Hermès has effectively preserved its corporate culture through the employment of highly skilled artisans, sometimes from the same families for generations. New craftspersons are instructed for at least a year on existing products before they are allowed to put their own mark on a design.
The melding of the old with the new is a concept the brand has successfully instilled at every level in design and manufacture. While making continual improvements to its products, Hermès maintains a passion for passing on the skills and methods of the past, thus inspiring creativity and achievement.
