Hermes is a French luxury fashion brand that is well-known for its high-end accessories and bags. The brand has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s when it was founded by Thierry Hermès. The company started as a small harness workshop in Paris, France, and has since evolved into one of the most iconic fashion brands in the world.
Thierry Hermès – The Founder
Thierry Hermès was born in Krefeld, Germany, in 1801 but moved to France at a young age. He learned the art of making harnesses and saddles from his father, who was also a harness maker. After completing his apprenticeship with his father, Thierry opened his own workshop in Paris in 1837.
The Birth of Hermes
Initially called Hermès Frères, the company started as a small business specializing in designing and manufacturing high-quality harnesses for horses. Soon after, their reputation grew amongst elite horse riders for producing some of the finest products available.
In 1855, Hermes Frères participated in the Exposition Universelle (World Fair) held in Paris. They were awarded first prize for their excellent craftsmanship and quality products. This win helped them expand their business beyond horse riding to include leather goods such as bags and belts.
Evolution of Hermes
After Thierry’s death in 1878, his sons Adolphe and Emile took over the business and renamed it “Hermes”. They continued to grow the business by expanding their product lines to include clothing, jewelry, scarves, watches, perfumes and more.
In 1922, Émile-Maurice Hermès introduced Hermes’ first handbag collection designed specifically for women. The new range included elegant bags made from luxurious materials like crocodile skin and silk.
The Iconic Birkin Bag
In 1984, the iconic Birkin bag was introduced. The bag was named after the famous actress and singer Jane Birkin, who had a chance encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas (the then CEO of Hermes) on a flight from Paris to London.
The two got talking about handbags, and Jane expressed her desire to have a bag with pockets. Jean-Louis Dumas took note of her request and created the Birkin Bag, which quickly became one of the most sought-after bags in the world.
Conclusion
Today, Hermes remains a symbol of luxury, quality and craftsmanship. From its humble beginnings as a small workshop to becoming one of the world’s most iconic fashion brands, Hermes has come a long way. The brand’s timeless pieces are still highly coveted by fashion enthusiasts all over the world.
- Thierry Hermès founded Hermès Frères in 1837.
- The company started making harnesses for horses.
- They expanded their product line to include leather goods like bags and belts.
- Hermes introduced their first handbag collection designed for women in 1922.
- The iconic Birkin Bag was introduced in 1984.