Hermès Petit H Creator Mussard Forced Out of the Company

Pascale Mussard – Hermès photo courtesy: uk.fashionnetwork.com

There’s a big change at the top of Hermes’ petit H division. Senior Hermès Dumas family member Pascale Mussard is out. Mussard is the, some would say genius, artiste who found a way to fashion Hermès bits and pieces that otherwise might be discarded into sought-after accessories for the accessories. Think rodeos and other bags charms, silk shopping sacs, passport holders, necklaces, bracelets and more. UK Fashion Network reports that Mussard left on January 22nd – and emptied her office in the last days of February – apparently forced to do so because of new conditions that made staying impossible. Although Hermès has confirmed her departure, it has not said whether Mussard will stay at Hermès in any other capacity. The petit H group will now be led by Godefroy de Virieu, a designer who worked with Mussard.

Mussard is the first senior family member to leave the insular company since the Hermès clan bonded together to ward off any takeover by LVMH (Louis Vuitton’s parent company), which still owns 8.5 percent of Hermès. Is Mussard’s forced exit a sign of disharmony or rising tensions in Hermès family unity? Mussard, herself, remains a significant shareholder in the Hermès company.

Hearing this news, community member @alexstrickland reached out and shared this with us:

The news of Pascal’s departure is truly saddening. Her love for the craft and avant-garde creations injected much needed fresh blood to the Maison. Her love for animals inspired many creations including several pieces for our pups. The magical Pantin workshop will never be the same. Needless to say, Pascal will be missed.