Thierry Hermes, a saddler, in 1837 opened in Paris a shop of saddlery and horse harness. Later, in the 1870s, the successors relocate to rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the historical centre and still is the headquarters of the maison and its trade catwalk. Thus was born the company.
Since the '20s have been created different products (garments deerskin, the first collection of women's fashions designed by Lola Prusac) that allowed the company to get a great business development and new creations, making it a reference in the history of fashion. An example was the belt that takes its cue from the dog collar and bags inspired by the saddle ones that, first launched in 1935 and then reduced in volume, became famous after the war thanks to Grace Kelly, who showed it off in 1956 on the cover of Life and rename it Kelly. In 1949, Hermès launched the innovative "ready-made" system, a sort of ready-to-wear custom, symbolized by a woman dress Hermeselle in printed cotton.
In 1951, at the death of Emile-Maurice, the management company goes to the son-in-law Robert Dumas and Jean Guerrand. Over the years greatly increase the turnover of properties and shops; the fashion house, in 1960, also debuted in perfumes.
Today, by adopting the philosophy of “innovation in the continuity of tradition", the brand is tied to what was the original vocation, which is the horse world. In the early 1990, the company began a policy of acquisitions particularly in the textile industries.
For the Hermès prêt-à-porter worked, among others, Catherine de Karolyi, Nicole de Versiani with young Lacroix, Berg, Bally, Myren de Prémoville, Giudicelli and Audibet. In 1999, Hermès has detected the 35% of the fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier.
The Hermès Group has as top designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Among his most famous creations recall the Birkin and Kelly. Under the direction of Gaultier have been many supermodels who have trod the catwalk of Paris fashion house: from Naomi Campbell to Caroline Trentini, Eva Riccobono to Mariacarla Boscono, Claudia Schiffer to Raquel Zimmermann etc.
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