LOCO OVER LEATHER : Hermès Fever

What Makes  Hermès  The Most Coveted Accessory

 Of All Times ?

Hermès despite the increasing progress in technology stays true to it's vision in making sure every piece of accessory from Hermès is an expression of ART in only the purest form and function.

Leather has been the cornerstone of Hermès’s oevre for almost two centuries. Little wonder then, that the French luxury brand is dedicating a whole exhibition to the material, making its long-standing love affair the focal point of the aptly-named ‘Leather Forever’.  

Hermès turns 175 this year. And with Britain having much to celebrate – thanks to the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee – debuting ‘Leather Forever’ in London was the brand’s own canny way of joining in on the cultural celebrations.

Hermès stays true to their vision of making every single piece of  accessory an expression of art. Thus, regardless of the changing times and availability of machines replacing  leather craftsmen ,  Hermès  remains uncompromising . 

Leather and craft is our essence and our identity’, said Chief Operating Officer Axel Dumas at the opening. Case in point, an on-site workshop – framed by a wall piled high with the brand’s iconic orange boxes – housing craftspeople from the Hermès workshops in Paris, who are on-hand to demonstrate the brand’s intricate leather-working process.  

The exhibition has been sensitively designed by Alexandra Plat, who has created an ultimate fantasy world of leather, filled with surreal touches such as a sunset-lit ‘desert’ flanked by a sandy floor - a tented display of travel-related accessories taking centre-stage. A viewing station, equipped with glittering silver opera binoculars, taunts the viewer's line of vision towards a giant neon Kelly bag, filled with different variations of the brand’s iconic bags through the years.

The Leather Forever Exhibition in London which showcases the Fashion Evolution of  Hermès  is simply a Fashion Education in It's Truest Form. One cannot simply be awed by the equestrian-themed room of the Hermès 'Leather Forever' 
exhibition.

The French luxury brand is dedicating a whole exhibition to the material, making its long-standing love affair the focal point of the aptly-named ‘Leather Forever’

The exhibition has been sensitively designed by Alexandra Plat, who has created an ultimate fantasy world of leather. Upon entering, the visitor is greeted by this 'library of skins'

In one  room, an on-site workshop houses craftspeople from the Hermès workshops in Paris, who demonstrate the brand’s intricate leather-working process. The exhibition is awash with evocative touches, such as a sunset-lit ‘desert’ flanked by a sandy floor - a tented display of travel-related accessories taking centre-stage 

A viewing station, equipped with glittering silver opera binoculars, taunts the viewer's line of vision towards a giant neon Kelly bag filled with different variations of the brand’s iconic bags through the years

Pointing visitors towards the entrance of the exhibition is 'Zouzou' the rhinoceros in white ostrich skin, created by Leïla Menchari for the windows of the 24, Faubourg Saint-Honoré store in Paris


Taking centre-stage in the room entitled 'When dreams become reality' is this multicoloured, winged saddle, made at the Hermès Sellerie workshop

Leather has been the cornerstone of Hermès’s oevre for almost two centuries

Ending the exhibition journey is a sumptuous stage curtain, which opens up to reveal four one-of-a-kind versions of the 'Passe-Guide' bag. Created specially for ‘Leather Forever’, the bags will be auctioned for charity with Christie’s .

But the most playful message has been saved for last. In a room containing a toy theatre, a sumptuous red and gold stage curtain opens and closes dramatically. Revealed, are four one-of-a-kind versions of the 'Passe-Guide' bag. Paraded one after the other in rotating fashion, the bags are magically swapped as the curtain closes and then opens. Created specially for ‘Leather Forever’, the bags will be auctioned for charity with Christie’s.

A Hermès accessory... is every woman's ultimate fashion dream come to reality...

Hermès.. Every  leather artisan and craftsman's vision of art expressed visually.

Quality Uncompromised. Artistic Vision Realized.