When we hear “Hermès,” luxury and expensive handbags are often the first things that come to mind. While many may marvel at the willingness to spend thousands of dollars on a prized accessory, the brand’s founders transformed their family business into one of the world’s most successful and enduring luxury brands. Their success can be attributed to the fact that nearly 200 years later, Hermès has maintained its family legacy.
Founded nearly two centuries ago, in 1837, Hermès is a legendary luxury brand known for its exceptional craftsmanship and timeless elegance. What began in Paris as a workshop making horse saddles under Thierry Hermès’ leadership has grown into a global symbol of refined luxury. Hermès is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, high quality, and iconic design.
From its famous “Birkin” and “Kelly” bags to silk scarves and carefully crafted watches, each Hermès creation exudes sophistication and artistry.
From Horses to Hollywood
With a heritage in equestrian sports, Hermès has successfully expanded into other fields of fashion and luxury, preserving its reputation as a symbol of timeless style and exceptional craftsmanship. Infused with a spirit of freedom and creativity, Hermès remains at the top by carefully observing societal changes and needs.
The journey began in Paris in 1837 when Thierry Hermès, a saddler, opened his workshop on Basse-du-Rempart Street. From the start, he understood and anticipated his clients’ desires for simplicity and ease in a city abuzz with modern trends. His work quickly caught the interest of the European elite, including prominent figures like Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, and many Parisian aristocrats.
If you’ve ever wondered why Hermès sells equestrian-themed accessories or why its bucket-shaped “Picotin” bag resembles a horse’s feed bag, it’s because Hermès, long before introducing its elegant handbags, was renowned as a workshop for high-end riding equipment.
When Thierry passed away in 1878, his son, Charles-Emile Hermès, moved the business to 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where the brand’s headquarters remain today. He later passed the business on to his two sons, marking the beginning of a new era for Hermès under the leadership of Adolphe and Emile-Maurice Hermès. Emile-Maurice, in particular, became a powerful figure in Hermès’ history, solidifying its position atop the luxury market.
Entry into High Fashion
Hermès’ first foray into high fashion handbags was the Haut à Courroies bag, or “high strap bag,” designed to carry riding saddles, boots, and other equipment. This design later inspired Hermès’ two most famous leather bags, the “Birkin” and the “Kelly.”
In the late 1910s, the introduction of automobiles decreased demand for horse-riding gear, prompting Emile-Maurice to expand Hermès’ line into leather goods, clothing, and accessories. A notable product from this period was the first leather golf jacket with a zipper, crafted for Edward, the Prince of Wales.
Additionally, Hermès launched Eau d’Hermès, the company’s first fragrance. Emile-Maurice shaped the brand further by introducing its signature orange color.
It’s no surprise that a woman inspired the creation of Hermès’ iconic bags as fashion accessories rather than just practical items. Emile-Maurice’s wife couldn’t find a small enough leather bag to easily fit through the car door. Her problem prompted Hermès to begin a new chapter in its history.
While the early 20th century was a period of growth for the Hermès family, women didn’t have opportunities to climb the corporate ladder, so Emile-Maurice’s son-in-law, Robert Dumas-Hermès, took over the company before he retired. Dumas is credited with many innovations, including the introduction of silk scarves.
The “Kelly” Bag as a Revolution
Kelly
Robert Dumas-Hermès transformed one of the earliest leather bags, the Sac à dépêches, into the “Kelly” bag, named after American actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, who famously used it in the 1950s to shield her pregnant belly from paparazzi.
The Birkin Philosophy
Birkin
Another famous story involves the “Birkin” bag. As the tale goes, during a flight from Paris to London, British actress Jane Birkin’s straw bag fell apart. Expressing her dissatisfaction, then-CEO Jean-Louis Dumas offered to create a new bag for her. Together, they sketched the design of the now-iconic “Birkin” bag.
Birkin bags are handmade with exceptional attention to detail. Hermès has never disclosed the exact number of Birkin bags sold yearly, nor their revenue from them, adding an element of mystery. The exclusivity and inaccessibility of the Birkin bag create high demand.
A “Birkin” cannot simply be purchased in-store. They are not displayed in boutiques, and buyers must have a purchase history with Hermès or develop a good relationship with a sales representative to even get on the waitlist. This difficulty fuels demand, with endless waitlists for the desired bag.
A Bag as an Investment
A few years ago, a “Birkin” bag was sold at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong for an astounding $380,000. A pink gold and diamond Birkin bag, designed by Pierre Hardy in 2012, fetched an impressive two million dollars.
According to the website Baghunter, Hermès’ “Birkin” bag is a safer investment than gold or stocks. Hollywood stars frequently carry it, while characters like Samantha Jones from “Sex and the City” have popularized it further. The Birkin bag has also appeared in series like “Will & Grace,” “Blue Jasmine,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “How I Met Your Mother” and is mentioned in songs by Cardi B, Zac Fox, and Jay-Z.
Source: Biz Life
