Hermès Paris by Sam Eam

Hermès

eams1 — 2025-03-15 18:45:39 UTC

Hermès is a French luxury brand founded by Thierry Hermès. They are most known for their specialization in leather and silk goods. Now they also produce jewelry, fragrances, watches, and home furnishings.

Earliy life and Background

eams1 — 2025-03-15 19:18:04 UTC

On January 10th, 1801, an innkeeper's wife gave birth to the couple's sixth child. Thierry Hermès was born a French citizen in a German town. He moved to Point-Audemer, a commune in France, in 1821 after the death of both of his parents. There, he became an apprentice in a harness-making workshop. He married Christine Pétronille Piérart and together they only had one son, Charles-Émile.

Early Beginnings

eams1 — 2025-03-15 19:32:23 UTC

Thierry Hermès moved to Paris and in 1837 he started the Hermès shop. It was located in the Grands Boulevards, a wealthy neighborhood in Paris. His intent was to produce high quality leather harnesses and saddles for French nobleman. The excellent stitching on all his products were all done by hand and his Parisian beau monde clients include Napoleon III. His leather work that time is still considered to be unrivaled. The brand has since evolved to produce more than just horse saddles.

July Revolution

eams1 — 2025-03-15 19:41:07 UTC

In the 1830s, France experienced yet another revolution. Charles X took over as king after the death of King Louis XVIII in 1824. King Charles X had a conservative reign and his July Ordinances of 1830 ignited the rebellion. His ordinances were seen as too restrictive of certain freedoms. This led to the "Trois Glorieuses" or "Three Glorious Days" from July 27, 1930-July 29, 1930. On the first day, police raided and shut down newspapers who opposed the king. This caused protesters to start attacking soldiers. Over the next two days, barricades were put up all over the city as violence broke out between soldiers and the bourgoise residents. On the last day, King Charles X fled to England and Louis-Phillipe became the new king.

References

eams1 — 2025-03-16 03:12:36 UTC

About Hermes:

“Company History Hermès.” Wunderlabel.Com, 4 July 2023, wunderlabel.com/lab/fashion-company-histories/hermes/.

Jacobs, Laura. “From Hermes to Eternity.” Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2007, www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/09/hermes200709?srsltid=AfmBOorsc8h55J_kxp9WamTH_buw-0hiLY1I70Xwfl4jCgmGBZIUTQEC.

“Six Generations of Artisans.” The Official Hermes Online Store, www.hermes.com/us/en/content/271366-six-generations-of-artisans/. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

1830s France:

“July Revolution.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/event/July-Revolution. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Paris: Capital of the 19th Century, library.brown.edu/cds/paris/chronology4.html. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

1830s Fashion:

Franklin, Harper. “1830-1839.” Fashion History Timeline, 3 Apr. 2020, fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1830-1839/.

Ives, Susanna. “Parisian Manners and Fashion in the 1830s .” Susanna Ives | My Floating World, 7 Mar. 2016, susannaives.com/wordpress/2013/06/parisian-manners-and-fashion-in-the-1830s/.

July Monarchy

eams1 — 2025-03-16 04:48:12 UTC

Duke of Orléans, Louis Philippe was "King of the French" from 1830-1848. His reign was known as the July Monarchy. His rule was considered a liberal monarchy but it was mostly a revival of the wealthy bourgeoisie and an ongoing neglect of the middle class.

Headwear-Dress Caps

eams1 — 2025-03-17 15:42:10 UTC

Headwear was popular during this time. Indoors, women would wear a white frilled day caps while dress caps were worn outside. Dress caps came in a variety of shapes and colors to match the wearer's dress. They could be decorated with feathers, ribbons, and flowers.

Soirée

eams1 — 2025-03-17 15:50:40 UTC

With the rise of the wealthy bourgeoisie came soirees. These were night-time get togethers that replaced the balls the rich were attending.

Headwear-Bonnets

eams1 — 2025-03-17 15:54:20 UTC

An alternative to dress caps, bonnets were also worn outside. In the early 1830s, dress caps and bonnets alike were widened to match the expanded dress sleeves of the era. They had a very large brim and were extravagantly decorated like dress caps. In the later 1830s, dress caps and bonnets became much simpler. They became more oval shaped and now concealed the face.

Headwear-Top Hats

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:07:39 UTC

Although caps and straw hats were often times worn by men, the top hat continued to be the most popular choice in men's headwear. The classic black top hat was now velvet and could be worn day or night. In 1835, the collapsable top hat was invented for easy storage during evening events.

Hairstyles

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:14:39 UTC

Early in the decade, women wore their hair in high loops and braids. The Apollo Knot and Chinoise were popular hairstyles. Often times, curls would hang down from the front. Later, hairstyles shifted into a much simpler style where the hair was parted down the middle and brushed smooth to cover the ears.

Women' s Dresses

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:25:06 UTC

Women still wore colorful, intricately trimmed dresses.The silhouette of women in this era focused on a slim cinched waist. This affect was done by having wide sleeves and skirts. The mutton leg sleeves were the most significant fashion element of this decade and is still a shape that is used today. The focus on hats and sleeves in the 1830s created a very top heavy look.

Women's Accessories

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:31:12 UTC

Accessories will always be a major part in fashion. Women wore lacy pelerines, pelisses, and shawls to further accentuate the trend of widening. They're skinny waistline was highlight with a bold belt and buckle. Long chains were often worn around the neck and shoulders, waist, or woven into hair. Drop earrings and brooches were also popular.

Men's Apparel

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:32:18 UTC

Men were dressed in familiar suits but their silhouettes mimicked that of the women's. Sleeves were puffier on the shoulders to seem broader while trousers skirted out a little from the waist to thighs to create that slim waistline look. Dress coats and frock coats were darker colors with trousers that tended to be lighter. Vests and waistcoats would often times be the accent piece of the outfit. Men could also wear riding coats to go along with tall riding boots.

Men's Accessories

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:39:08 UTC

While the top accessory for men was the top hat, neckwear was also very important. Ties were worn but were often replaced by a stock or a cravat. Canes and pocket watches are also commonly seen in this period.

Influence

eams1 — 2025-03-17 16:50:48 UTC

Thierry Hermès's influence was the wealthy middle class and nobles of Paris. He didn't design clothes, he designed equipment for horses because it was the "golden age of the horse". They were used for hunting and travel. His mission was to create exceptionally high quality leather goods for the horse. His work garnered him many awards at the time.

Today, Hermès is recognized for popularizing the saddle stitch and zipper. The company is most known for the Kelly Bag and Birkin Bag but also offers small leather goods, home furnishings, watches, and fragrances. Silk scarves, with inspiration from jockeys, is another common product they sell.

eams1 — 2025-03-17 17:01:27 UTC

https://www.hermes.com/us/en/content/271366-six-generations-of-artisans/