Library
History
From the 1837 Parisian saddlery to the most coveted bags in the world. Discover the journey of Hermès and the making of one of the most admired maisons in the history of luxury.
The Moments That Shaped the Maison.
1837
Thierry Hermès founded the Maison in Paris, specializing in handcrafted saddles, harnesses, and equestrian equipment for the European aristocracy.
1880
The Maison relocates to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where its historic flagship remains to this day.
1900
Hermès expands its collection to include new travel goods, handbags, and accessories that reflect the changing needs of travel and modern life.
1956
Grace Kelly immortalizes the Sac à Dépêches by using it to shield her pregnancy from photographers. The design would later become known worldwide as the Kelly.
1984
The Birkin is created following a chance encounter between Jean-Louis Dumas and Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London.
Today
Hermès remains an independent Maison, preserving its heritage, savoir-faire, and the principles that have defined it since 1837.
Two Designs. Two Stories.
Created to be eternal.
Kelly
The story of the Kelly began in 1935 with the introduction of the Sac à Dépêches, but it was in 1956 that the design gained worldwide recognition after Princess Grace Kelly was photographed using it to shield her pregnancy from photographers. The event eventually led Hermès to officially rename the bag the Kelly, making it one of the Maison's most iconic creations.
Birkin
Introduced in 1984, the Birkin was born from a chance encounter between Jean-Louis Dumas and Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. Inspired by their conversation about the need for an elegant yet spacious everyday handbag, Dumas developed a design that would become one of the most recognizable creations in Hermès history.
The craft
The excellence in every detail.
Each Hermès bag is made by a single artisan, who oversees the entire process from start to finish. Hours of manual work, techniques passed down through generations and an absolute commitment to quality make each piece truly unique.
Time transforms everything, except what is made to endure.
Jean-Louis Dumas
