Apparel: Defining Luxury

Hermès began as a saddle maker in Paris in 1880, and went on to become, by the very mention of the name, the definitive French luxury goods house. As the company began producing riding gloves, belts, travel trunks, and sportswear, an exclusive, faithful following grew stronger, attracted by the high craftsmanship and unique, timeless styles that almost never fall out of fashion.

A four pocket buffalo skin jacket over lichen cashmere with striped wool and vicuna trousers highlighted with the famous Hermès Cape Cod watch. (Click image to enlarge)

Hermès also features a full line of accessories for the home—china and crystal, furniture, jewelry, timepieces, as well as office and baby gifts. Today, Hermès maintains boutiques all over the world that house what many luxury consumers consider to be the definitive statement on the tie, the scarf, and the handbag.

For the Fall/Winter 2007 collection, Hermès extends the statement to include contrasting feelings of rigor and sensuality in the men’s ready-to-wear collection with provocative colors of graphite, ink, storm, and lichen, as well as varying shades of black and chocolate brown. The fabrics are rich and exotic again, using vicuna, four-ply cashmere, Prince of Wales wool, cotton velvet, and silk twill; the skins textured and masculine combinations of calfskin, buffalo skin, and patinated baby lamb. There is a sense of warmth and strength, of being desired and desirable at the same time.