Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
The hallowed halls and rooms of an Hermès workshop are holy ground for those in the luxury community. Within the walls of these ateliers, history is often made- literally.
An Hermès workshop is essentially the birthplace of the most iconic handbags in the world today. From the Birkin to the Kelly, and everything in between, Hermès master artisans have not only the finest tools and skills to craft such masterpieces, but also the most pristine environment in which to do so.
With this in mind, a recent article, courtesy of our friends at Vanity Fair magazine, caught our attention. It provides an in-depth look at the inner workings of an Hermès production facility. To say the images are stunning would be an understatement.
We are now sharing these pictures with you along with some of the more fascinating facts about the Hermès objects of desire. So come along for a view of the inside of an actual Hermès workshop in Saint Vincent de Paule, France…
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
Did you know...
Did you know that the Hermès Kelly is made up of 36 individual leather pieces? It takes up to 20 hours of scrupulous precision and perfection, for an artisan to create. And yet, it is the Kelly bag that newly minted Hermès craftspeople are trained on. Talk about Hermès for beginners 101!
That is not to say that the Kelly bag is the easiest or simplest Hermès bag to create. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Both an anomaly and oxymoron, the Kelly is beloved for the fact that its simplicity and structured lines offer a sense of classic style. As a result, the fact that the bag is one of the most complicated styles to produce, further speaks to the Hermès standard of handcrafted perfection.
The Kelly bag is one of the most complex bags we have in terms of our savoir faire, or know-how, which is really based on the tradition of saddlery and harnesses
-Olivier Fournier, Exc. VP Compliance & Organization Development Hermès International
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
Did you know...
There are currently 51 Hermès workshops in France, and counting. With global demand reaching unimaginable numbers, the house continues to open more and more production facilities.
For consumers, hopefully this will address the universal worldwide desire to own an Hermès bag. Quite simply, to be the proud owner of something from Hermès, is to be in possession of the highest embodiment of luxury today.
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
Did you know...
Each individual Hermès workshop is dedicated to producing one facet of the luxury house’s products. For example, a clothing workshop produces just that, while a leather goods workshop, too, only produces leather products. Whether jewelry, silk, homeware or shoes, each Hermès factory specializes in a product line.
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
Did you know...
A newly on-boarded Hermès apprentice takes 18 months to learn the principals of leather crafting. And the training isn’t done yet! It then takes 8 years to earn the title of master artisan.
In fact, Hermès recently announced the opening of its first École Hermès des Savoir-Faire. It is quite literally an Hermès school! It’s not for luxury connoisseurs and Hermès lovers like many of us though.
This new school and respective training program(s) are geared toward training interested artisans in the art of Hermès craftsmanship. Upon graduation, students will be gradually integrated into full-time Hermès professionals at one of their facilities.
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
Did you know...
The first Hermès workshop was opened in 1880 in Paris at the brand’s flagship boutique. Fast forward over a century later, Hermès workshops are found in every corner of France.
We have stuck for centuries now to a craftsmanship model because we strongly believe that to have the quality and the durability we want in our leather goods, we need this artisan approach…the company maxim- “Luxury is that which can be repaired”
– Olivier Fournier, Exec. VP, Hermès International
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
Did you know...
There are 15 dedicated workshops around the world committed to repairing Hermès pieces alone. In fact, the house estimates that approximately 120,000 of its pieces are repaired at these locations.
Image Credit: Cyril Zannettacci (Vanity Fair)
This is just one of the Hermès leather workshops across France, and around the world. Despite the distance that may separate them, the shared commitment and dedication to superior craftsmanship is what connects them all. For Hermès, this devotion to detail and passion for perfection is its hallmark. Likely it also is what will keep Hermès the leader in the luxury industry for years to come…
Love, PurseBop
XO
Updated: September 29th, 2021
Comments
1 Responses to “Behind the Hermès Curtain – Facts You Should Know”
Please guide myself in a application to 18 months then 8 years