The voyage of craftsmanship through modernity.
A 182 year legacy… and counting.
Hermès was first established in 1837 in the business of saddlery and equestrian accessories by founder Thierry Hermès. Within the first two decades of establishment, the quality wrought harnesses and bridles crafted by Hermès for the noblemen of Europe gained recognition and repute, winning the prized top medals in its class. Does one expect the concept of movement and travel to be the way we know it today? Storied and successful, the legacy brand continues to create and evolve in modern times with Axel Dumas from the sixth generation Hermès family at the helm as Chief Executive Officer.
Much is to be explored of this multi-disciplinary design powerhouse’s heritage and archives. Singapore is set to host the third (instalment) of a curated touring exhibition series – In Motion – articulating the history of the House through objects from the Emile Hermès collection, archives, the Hermès Conservatoire of Creations, and contemporary pieces. The series of exhibitions are built on iconic themes, colours and objects of the House, the first two being Harnessing the roots, and Rouges Hermès.
Some of the highlights from the In Motion exhibition directed by Bruno Gaudichon, curator of the “La Piscine” Museum of Art and Industry in Roubaix and Laurence Fontaine as exhibition designer include:
The first Hermès silk (90×90 cm) scarf – Jeu des Omnibus et dames blanches – introduced in 1937, featuring a twirling circle of horse-drawn carriages inspired by the playing board of the eponymous game;
Postilion’s riding boots of size and robusticity reminiscent of seven-league boots;
The Flâneur d’Hermès bicycle;
The Bolide picnic bag that was inspired by the Sac pour l’Auto (which was created by the House in the 1920s), aptly illustrating how Hermès objects also travel through the ages;
The Pippa writing desk, built to serve its purpose when open, yet nondescript when closed, with its ingenious mechanisms;
The ever mobile cane picnic basket that conceals a battery of cutlery;
Inversible two columns of glasses mounted on mobile rings;
all creations true to the spirit of style on the move.
The Flâneur d'Hermès bicycle
Hermès was present through the evolution of civilisation travel. If we recall how the Duc carriage with a horse came to become Hermès caleche emblem, there lies the spirit of motion that is very much part of the brand’s core, as the brand is part of the cycle of creation and craft. In elegant and ingenious style, no less.
The Hermès Heritage – In Motion Exhibition will be held from 11 to 19 May 2019 at Hermès Liat Towers Singapore. Admission is free, from 10.30am to 8pm daily.
All images courtesy of Hermès.
Related links :
Hermès : The Collector’s Museum
Hermès: (Un) filtered Reflections
