Everything about the Hermès brand
In the world of fashion, Hermès has always been considered as one of the top brands, famous for its iconic designs, its impressive quality and the dedication put into its craftsmanship. Here we want to show you everything about the Hermès brand, so you can have a better understanding of this high-luxury fashion house that will continue to be the favorite for many.
- A timeline to Hermès History
- Who owns Hermès?
- How many Hermès stores are there?
- Which are the best Hermès products?
- Which Hermès bag is the most popular?
- Which are the Hermès designers?
- How are Hermès items made?
- How to know if a Hermès item is authentic?
- How to take care of Hermès items?
- Why is Hermès so expensive?
- Why invest in Hermès items?
- Where to buy Hermès items with discounts?
A timeline to Hermès History
Hermès, the iconic luxury brand known worldwide, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century that extends to today, rising as one of the most acclaimed fashion houses in the world, and the creator of the most iconic and valuable handbags to ever exist. So if you’re wondering how Hermès started, here is a detailed timeline of the grandiose Hermès history:
Origins and 19th century
- Thierry Hermès founded the brand in the 19th century, starting with a harness workshop in rue Basse-du-Rempart Paris.
- Thierry’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovative leather techniques set the foundation for Hermès’s success.
- The brand gained recognition for its quality and won awards at prestigious events such as the first prize in their class at the 1855 and 1867 Expositions Universelles in Paris
- Charles-Émile Hermès, Thierry ‘s son, expanded the business, moving it to 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris.
- The brand’s clientele extended worldwide, and it introduced iconic products like the Haut à Courroies bag.
Hermès Frères
- Adolphe and Émile-Maurice, sons of Charles-Émile Hermès, took over, renaming the company Hermès Frères (Hermès brothers).
- Émile-Maurice secured exclusive rights for zippers in French leather goods and clothing, introducing them to France.
- In 1918, Hermès crafted the first leather golf jacket with a zipper for the Prince of Wales, earning it the nickname “fermeture Hermès” (Hermès closing).
- During the 1920s, Émile-Maurice expanded the business with accessories and clothing collections, grooming his sons-in-law as partners.
- In 1922, the first Hermès leather handbags debuted, inspired by Émile-Maurice’s wife.
- Expansion to the United States occurred in 1924, and the first women’s couture apparel collection was presented in 1929.
- Iconic Hermès products like the Kelly bag (originally the Sac à dépêches) in 1935 and silk scarves in 1937 were introduced in the 1930s.
- The company ventured into the U.S. market, later withdrawing from Neiman Marcus in New York.
- In 1949, Eau d’Hermès marked the brand’s first perfume launch.
- From the mid-1930s, Hermès collaborated with Swiss watchmaker Universal Genève, producing men’s wrist chronographs and women’s Art Deco cuff watches.
- Émile-Maurice’s Hermès philosophy encompassed “leather, sport, and a tradition of refined elegance.”
The Hermès brand post Émile-Maurice
Sac à dépêches
- In 1951, Robert Dumas-Hermès became the company’s leader, the first not directly related to the Hermès family by blood. He merged the Hermès name with his own, adopting the name Dumas-Hermès.
- During the early 1950s, Hermès introduced its iconic logo featuring a Duc carriage and horse, along with its signature orange packaging.
- Robert Dumas-Hermès emphasized innovation, expanding into handbags, jewelry, and accessories. Silk scarves became a particular focus.
- While scarf production increased, the Hermès store on Faubourg Saint-Honoré became a popular meeting place for international celebrities.
- In 1956, Grace Kelly’s use of the Sac à dépêches bag to conceal her pregnancy led to it being known as the Kelly bag, a name officially adopted by Hermès in 1977.
- In 1959, the Hermès designer Catherine Chaillet created the Constance handbag and named it after her fifth daughter. Later, Jacqueline Kennedy popularized the handbag worldwide in her appearances as the First Lady of the United States.
- In 1961, Hermès entered the perfume business with the Calèche scent, inspired by a traditional horse carriage, also the company’s logo.
Decline and reinvention
- In the 1970s, despite multiple global store openings, Hermès experienced a decline attributed to its insistence on using natural materials while competitors shifted to synthetics.
- A market shift back to natural materials renewed demand for Hermès fragrances and revitalized the company’s prospects.
- Jean-Louis Dumas, son of Robert Dumas-Hermès, took over in 1978 and restructured Hermès, focusing on silk, leather goods, and ready-to-wear, which reversed the brand’s decline.
- Dumas brought in designers Eric Bergère and Bernard Sanz, introducing unique items like python motorcycle jackets and ostrich-skin jeans.
- A 1979 advertising campaign aimed to attract new, younger consumers by altering Hermès’ image.
- In the 1970s, La Montre Hermès, the watch subsidiary, was founded in Switzerland.
- Throughout the 1980s, Dumas increased the company’s holdings in suppliers and acquired renowned tableware manufacturers, including Puiforcat, St. Louis, and Périgord.
Continuous growth
- In the 1980s, tableware became a significant part of Hermès, expanding to include porcelain and crystal items.
- In 1984, Jean-Louis Dumas designed and launched the Birkin bag inspired by the actress Jane Birkin. It quickly became the most famous and valuable handbag in the world.
- By 1990, Hermès had amassed a collection of over 30,000 pieces.
- Hermès moved its workshops and design studios to Pantin, near Paris, and went public on the Paris Bourse (stock exchange) in June 1993, generating significant interest.
- The equity sale aimed to ease family tensions by allowing some members to sell their holdings.
- The Hermès family still held about 80% of stocks, with Jean-Louis Dumas and the entire family appearing on Forbes’ list of billionaires.
- Dumas reduced Hermès franchises from 250 to 200 while increasing company-owned stores from 60 to 100 to gain better control over sales.
- Hermès targeted China for company-operated boutiques, opening one in The Peninsula Beijing in 1997.
- In 1997, Jean-Louis hired Martin Margiela to oversee women’s ready-to-wear.
- Hermès continued to acquire franchised stores, decreasing their number, and ventured into unexpected artistic orders in the late 1990s.
The new millennium
- In 2003, Martin Margiela departed from Hermès, and Jean Paul Gaultier became the head designer.
- In 2004, Jean-Claude Ellena took on the role of in-house perfumer, creating successful fragrances like the Hermessence line.
- After 28 years at the helm, Jean-Louis Dumas retired in January 2006 and was succeeded by Patrick Thomas, the first non-Hermès family member to lead the company.
- In February 2015, Hermès reported a 9.7% increase in turnover, surpassing €4 billion in sales, with growth seen across regions.
- In March 2018, Hermès opened its largest store to date at the Dubai Mall.
- In 2019, Hermès was ranked 33rd on Forbes’ list of “World’s Most Valuable Brands.”
- In the 2021 review of WIPO’s World Intellectual Property Indicators, Hermès ranked 7th globally for industrial design registrations.
- In 2023, Hermès successfully won a copyright lawsuit against artist Mason Rothschild for replicating and selling the Birkin bag as an NFT collection.
- During Q1 2023, Hermès experienced a remarkable 22% increase in sales, totaling €3.4 billion.
- In the same year, Hermès reveals plans for the establishment of four new production facilities in France: Espagnac, Loupes, Riom, and Charleville-Mézières.
Who owns Hermès?
Hermès, known for its fiercely guarded independence, has predominantly been under the ownership of the Hermès family. The family maintains a significant stake in the company through their holding entity, H51, ensuring their firm control over its destiny. Unlike many luxury brands that have come under the wings of large conglomerates like LVMH, Hermès has remained autonomous.
However, in an intriguing turn of events, the Arnault family, prominent owners of LVMH, quietly acquired approximately 20% of Hermès by the year 2023. This unexpected development raised concerns within the Hermès family about a potential takeover by Bernard Arnault. In response, the Hermès family took strategic action to protect their ownership by forming a new holding company.
In the fiscal year 2022, Hermès demonstrated its strength by generating an impressive €11.6 billion in revenue, underpinned by €3.4 billion in profits. These figures underscore the brand’s commitment to excellence and its ability to thrive independently in the fiercely competitive luxury market.
How many Hermès stores are there?
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