Hermès is a French manufacturer of luxury goods. Let’s discover more of this legendary brand:
• It was founded in 1837 and eponymously named after its founder Thierry Hermès.
• Hermès refers to a Greek God of merchants and travellers.
• To retain brand exclusivity Hermes keeps supply of its bags far behind the demand. Some bags can have waiting periods of up to one year. The backlog thus created has also buoyed it amidst weak world economy. In contract, if one may recollect, Louis Vuitton never sells its bags at a discount for the same reason of brand exclusivity.
• Hermès had introduced a limited edition sari line in India in 2011 priced between INR 4 – 10 lakhs.
• According to the latest Hermès exchange policy, items can be exchanged within 10 days of purchase and, interestingly, only for a color different from the original purchase.
• Hermès believes in the old school model of production – bags that are made almost entirely by hand; Hermès does not use assembly lines.
• Jane Birkin, after whom the Birkin is named, does not carry the coveted bag anymore, attributing her tendonitis to it.
• Hermès’ logo of a Duc carriage eludes to the original business started by Thiery Hermès to manufacture bridles, saddles and boots for the riding fraternity.
• The logo is a painting named the ‘Le Duc Attele, groom a l’ attente’ (translating into ‘Hitched Carriage, Waiting Groom’); the groom is the man standing in front of the carriage having two horses. The painting was by an artist names Alfred de Druex. The original picture is supposed to have had a clever harness design which ensures that the horse carries minimal weight.
• The Hermès Museum in Paris houses one-of-its-kind items from the brand’s and the founding family’s history of 176 years. The brand is careful to protect its enigma by keeping the museum off bounds for public. One can gain access to the museum only through exclusive contacts or through their flagship stores. Apparently, the Hermes craftsmen often visit this museum to draw inspiration for new designs.
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