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  • Hermes Iconic Menswear Director Nichanian Steps Down Amid Luxury Fashion Industry Shake-up

    Hermes Iconic Menswear Director Nichanian Steps Down Amid Luxury Fashion Industry Shake-up

    Veronique Nichanian, renowned artistic director of men’s fashion at Hermes, is set to leave the brand after a remarkable 37-year tenure. Her departure, officially confirmed by Hermes, comes as part of an industry-wide shake-up, with numerous luxury fashion labels including Chanel and Dior also bringing on board fresh design talent.

    Nichanian has been a cornerstone of Hermes’ menswear division since 1988, designing iconic styles that have left an indelible mark on the label’s identity. Her final fashion show is set to take place in January, marking the end of an era for the French fashion brand.

    This extensive overhaul of creative leadership within the luxury industry comes as upscale labels grapple with a prolonged financial downturn. They are striving to revive interest among their customers, many of whom are facing inflation-related constraints.

    However, Hermes has managed to buck this trend. The iconic luxury brand, famous for its Birkin-bag collection, has seen consistent sales growth, thanks largely to its affluent customer base who remain loyal to the brand’s timeless handbags.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is Veronique Nichanian?
    Veronique Nichanian is a celebrated artistic director who served at Hermes for 37 years, primarily focusing on men’s fashion.

    When will Veronique Nichanian’s last fashion show at Hermes take place?
    Her final fashion show is scheduled to occur in January.

    What is the current situation in the luxury fashion industry?
    The luxury fashion industry is experiencing a major shift in creative leadership amid a prolonged financial downturn. However, Hermes continues to thrive, seeing consistent sales growth.

  • Hermès Unveils Stunning Expanded Flagship Store in Seoul: A New Era for Luxury Retail!

    Hermès Unveils Stunning Expanded Flagship Store in Seoul: A New Era for Luxury Retail!

    In a grand unveiling that is sure to turn heads, Hermès has launched its newly relocated and expanded store within the Galleria department store at Apgujeong Rodeo in Gangnam, South Korea. This West Hall location shines as a beacon for luxury, showcasing all sixteen of the brand’s crafts in a lively and contemporary setting.

    The store’s façade is a stunning display itself, featuring anodized metal stripes that draw inspiration from South Korea’s traditional Dancheong decorative art. A fusion of ancient motifs and sleek modernity sets the tone for what lies inside.

    Once inside, guests are greeted by a vibrant environment where the layout is as striking as the products. A central silk section serves as the heart of the store, flanked by meticulously organized sections dedicated to men’s and women’s fashion, leather goods, jewelry, watches, and home and equestrian collections — all enriched by a palette of cheerful pastels that invites exploration.

    The architectural vision comes courtesy of the Parisian design agency RDAI, seamlessly blending heritage with modern aesthetics. Notably, the store includes locally crafted elements like elegant silk walls and pleated paper lighting designed by Jungmo Kwon, adding a distinct Korean touch to the luxurious experience.

    Art enthusiasts will find themselves delighted as well, with a selection of artworks from Hermès collections and contemporary artisans such as Mamadou Cissé and Jan Bajtlik adorning the space. The artistic narrative extends to the store’s window displays as well, where the 2025 theme “Drawn to Craft,” curated by Korean artist Miju Lee, invites passersby to reflect on creation and memory through the lens of everyday moments.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of the store’s design elements?
    The store’s façade features anodized metal stripes inspired by South Korean Dancheong, showcasing a blend of traditional artistry with modern design, which resonates with local culture while enhancing the luxury experience.

    Who was involved in the store’s design?
    The store was designed by the Parisian agency RDAI, incorporating unique local elements crafted by Jungmo Kwon, which enrich the Hermès aesthetic with a distinctly Korean flair.

    What is the theme of the 2025 window displays?
    The theme “Drawn to Craft,” spearheaded by Korean artist Miju Lee, creatively explores the concepts of creation and memory, encouraging viewers to find significance in everyday moments.

  • Hermes Unveils Expanded Boutique In Seoul: A Fusion Of French Luxury And Korean Tradition

    Hermes Unveils Expanded Boutique In Seoul: A Fusion Of French Luxury And Korean Tradition

    The renowned brand, Hermes, has recently reopened its enlarged boutique in the high-end shopping zone, Apgujeong Rodeo, within Seoul’s Galleria department store. This area is famously known as a luxury buying hub in the Gangnam district.

    Design and Aesthetics

    The storefront, crafted by the Parisian architecture agency RDAI, is beautifully wrapped in oxidizing metal stripes. This design is an homage to the traditional Korean decorative painting known as Dancheong, creating a perfect blend of modern and traditional. Hermes, the French luxury powerhouse, refers to this as a lively interaction between culture and modernity.

    Upon entering, visitors are greeted with the emblematic ex-libris of the house, embedded into the signature terrazzo Faubourg pattern. The boutique layout accentuates different merchandise categories, with silk items occupying the central space. On the right side, there are men’s shoes and ready-to-wear sections, while home and equestrian collections are located toward the back.

    Showcasing Products

    The goods on display include leather items, jewellery, and watches, which are showcased in dedicated intimate spaces. Women’s ready-to-wear and shoe collections are exhibited against a backdrop of pastel blue terrazzo and silk partitions.

    The interior design incorporates local custom craftsmanship, such as pleated paper lighting created by Jungmo Kwon. This is in addition to pieces from the Emile Hermes collection and contemporary photography.

    The statement from the company further elucidates, “As the store moves to a new location, the two window scenes also lead the viewer on a poetic journey. This narrative transforms the mundane details of daily life into thought-provoking reflections on our collective imagination.”

    The luxury brand extends an invitation to its loyal clientele and prospective customers to explore their timeless creations in a vibrant environment that mirrors the unique culture of Seoul and the impeccable craftsmanship of the house.

    Questions & Answers

    What does the new design of the Hermes store symbolize?

    The new design brings together the elements of traditional Korean decorative painting with modern aesthetics, symbolizing a playful dialogue between heritage and modernity.

    What kind of products are highlighted in the store layout?

    The store layout emphasizes different categories including silk at the center, men’s shoes and ready-to-wear to the right, and home and equestrian collections toward the rear. Leather goods, jewellery, watches, and women’s ready-to-wear and shoes are also showcased.

    What local elements are incorporated in the interior design of the store?

    The interior design incorporates local custom craftsmanship, such as pleated paper lighting by Jungmo Kwon, displayed alongside pieces from the Emile Hermes collection and contemporary photography.

  • Hermès Chairman Confirms Recovery of Missing $16B Stake by Heir is Impossible

    Hermès Chairman Confirms Recovery of Missing $16B Stake by Heir is Impossible

    During an earnings call on Wednesday, Executive Chairman Axel Dumas revealed an unsettling update regarding Nicolas Puech, the great-grandson of Hermès founder Thierry Hermès. “I’ve had the certainty for a long time that Nicolas Puech no longer holds his shares,” Dumas stated, suggesting the luxurious legacy has spiraled into complex legal battles. Dumas further expressed skepticism about the possible restoration of Puech’s stake and disclosed that the firm has initiated legal proceedings to address the issue.

    This insight from Dumas is the most comprehensive yet on the ongoing saga surrounding Puech’s missing fortune, a topic that has stirred intrigue among luxury retail watchers. Puech inherited a 5.7% stake in Hermès following the deaths of his mother in 1996 and sister in 2004, yet his relationship with the family and the company has grown increasingly fraught.

    A Pivotal Moment Amid a Takeover Attempt

    In 2010, as LVMH’s Bernard Arnault attempted a discreet takeover of Hermès, Puech turned against his family by quietly facilitating the transfer of some Hermès shares to Arnault, which allowed the business mogul to acquire a 23% stake in the luxury powerhouse. However, Arnault’s ambitions crumbled, resulting in a resolution in 2014 that saw him unwind his stake. That same year, Puech stepped down from Hermès’ supervisory board, but the fate of his shares has since become shrouded in mystery.

    The Complications of Bearer Shares

    Things took a turn for the complicated when it was revealed that Puech’s shares are bearer shares, a type of stock traditionally less transparent than registered shares. Unlike his family members who hold shares in their names, Puech’s stock does not disclose ownership, leading to challenges in tracing who currently possesses them and distributing dividends through intermediaries.

    A Legal Twist in 2023

    The plot thickened in 2023 when Puech claimed in court that he no longer owned the shares, placing the blame on his former wealth manager, Eric Freymond. According to reports, Puech accused Freymond of mismanaging his financial affairs, prompting intrigue about the control and governance of the inherited wealth. However, a Geneva court dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Puech had ceded control of his affairs to Freymond and could have revoked their arrangement at any time. The court found Puech’s accusations to be vague and lacking in substantial evidence.

    Freymond, who staunchly denied any wrongdoing, recently passed away in Switzerland, leaving behind an even more tangled narrative around the Hermès shares. Meanwhile, LVMH confirmed it has divested all its holdings in Hermès, closing the door on any former entanglements.

    The Broader Implications for Hermès

    If Puech still retains his stake, he would emerge as the largest individual shareholder of Hermès, a brand that carries a staggering market value of over US$300 billion as of February. The Hermès family, a network of over 100 members, remains one of Europe’s most affluent dynasties, and the repercussions of this saga could resonate far beyond just one heir’s misfortune. After all, in a world where luxury can be as elusive as it is sought after, such tales weave a compelling narrative that captivates the imagination.

    Questions & Answers

    What prompted the current dispute over Nicolas Puech’s shares?
    The dispute emerged from Puech’s alleged lack of ownership of his inherited shares after he assisted Bernard Arnault during a failed takeover of Hermès, raising questions about the ultimate fate of those shares.

    Why are Puech’s bearer shares significant?
    Bearer shares lack registered ownership details, complicating the process of tracking dividends and ownership, which poses challenges for the company in determining who rightfully holds the shares.

    What was the outcome of the recent legal proceedings involving Puech?
    A Geneva court ruled against Puech, stating he ceded control to his wealth manager and failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of mismanagement.

  • Hermes Records Impressive Growth With €8 Billion Revenue In First Half Of Year

    Hermes Records Impressive Growth With €8 Billion Revenue In First Half Of Year

    Hermes, the esteemed French luxury brand, has demonstrated impressive sales growth in the first half of the current year. This surge in revenue was experienced across all regions as affluent customers continued their patronage of the brand’s distinguished leather products.

    The brand recorded a revenue of €8 billion (US$8.78 billion) for the half-year period concluding on June 30th. This performance marks an 8% increase in profits, calculated at a constant exchange rate when compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.

    Sales saw a 9% rise in the second quarter itself, which was bolstered by an excellent performance in the markets of the United States, Japan, and the Middle East.

    According to Hermes, the growth was widespread across all geographical regions, with each one reporting gains. Japan led the way with a robust 16% increase, followed by the Americas with a 12% rise. Sales in France experienced a 9% increase while Europe, excluding France, witnessed a 13% acceleration.

    Axel Dumas, the Executive Chairman of Hermes, has expressed his satisfaction, attributing the firm’s first-half success across all regions to the strength of the Hermes model.

    On behalf of the company, he expressed gratitude to all their customers for their continued trust and to all the employees for their dedication, adding, “We will continue to invest and recruit to ensure the group’s sustained success.”

    The primary driver of growth for Hermes is its core leather goods and saddlery division, which includes the highly coveted Birkin and Kelly bag lines. The brand also reported significant increases in the sales of jewellery and homeware. However, the sales of watches and perfumes exhibited a decline.

    Hermes has laid out plans to persist with investments in craftsmanship, to broaden production, and to reinforce its global retail presence in order to meet the escalating demand for its exclusive merchandise.

    Questions & Answers

    What was the revenue of Hermes for the first half of this year?
    The French luxury brand Hermes recorded a revenue of €8 billion (US$8.78 billion) for the first half of the year.

    Which regions showed significant growth for Hermes?
    Every geographical region posted gains for Hermes. Japan led with a 16% increase, followed by the Americas with a 12% rise. Sales in France experienced a 9% increase, whilst Europe, excluding France, witnessed a 13% rise.

    Which product categories drove the growth for Hermes?
    The primary growth driver for Hermes was its core leather goods and saddlery division, including the popular Birkin and Kelly bags. The brand also reported double-digit increases in jewellery and homeware.

  • Hermes reopens expanded Macau store with playful, nature-inspired design

    Hermes reopens expanded Macau store with playful, nature-inspired design

    Hermes, the renowned French luxury brand, has recently re-opened its expanded store in Macau. The newly renovated space is a unique blend of natural materials and symmetrical design elements, subtly incorporating references to traditional games in a nod to the city’s playful spirit.

    The store, which initially opened its doors in 2008, now proudly displays all 16 of the brand’s métiers within its redesigned interior. The renovation was orchestrated by RDAI, a leading Parisian architecture firm.

    New Design Elements

    The re-envisioned space introduces a new colour palette, a soothing blend of greens that transition from cool to warm hues. The store’s interior is adorned with jade-coloured ceramic bricks that are cleverly arranged to resemble mahjong tiles, adding a unique touch of local culture to the aesthetic. This design is further enhanced by large windows framed with sliding triangular panels.

    The interior is marked by earthy tones and the use of luxurious materials, creating a welcoming environment for its visitors. The store’s signature Faubourg mosaic serves as a striking centrepiece, anchoring the women’s silk and home collections. The terrazzo flooring, embedded with fragments of green, amber, and ochre, seamlessly connects the men’s silk, fashion jewellery, and beauty and fragrance departments.

    Contrasting Themes

    The watches and jewellery salon feature a rich lacquered green wood finish, forming a contrast with the darker cherrywood used in the sections housing equestrian and leather goods. These sections are framed by diamond-patterned panels reflecting influences from the traditional game of backgammon.

    The rear portion of the store is dedicated to women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and footwear collections. These are tastefully presented in zones delineated by shaded carpets and intricate timber detailing. A private salon and fitting rooms complete the store’s new layout.

    Aesthetic Touches

    The revamped space is further enhanced by artworks from the Émile Hermes collection and the Hermes Collection of Contemporary Photographs. These pieces, featuring botanical prints, equestrian imagery, and Douglas Lance Gibson’s Esi Ni Daimani-inspired by playing cards, add layers of visual depth to the store. The overall design is tied together with elements like the ex-libris motif, Grecque lighting, and game-inspired aesthetics.

    Questions & Answers

    When was the Hermes store in Macau initially opened?
    The Hermes store in Macau was initially opened in 2008.

    What are the new design elements introduced in the renovated store?
    The renovated store introduces a green-toned colour palette, jade-coloured ceramic bricks arranged like mahjong tiles, large windows with sliding triangular panels, and a signature Faubourg mosaic among other features.

    What collections are presented in the renovated store?
    The renovated store presents all 16 of Hermes’ métiers, including women’s and men’s silk, home collections, fashion jewellery, beauty and fragrance departments, ready-to-wear and footwear collections, and equestrian and leather goods.

  • Hermes opens new Indonesia store

    Hermes opens new Indonesia store

    Hermes has opened a new store in Jakarta, Indonesia, located in Plaza Indonesia.

    Designed by Paris-based RDAI, the space showcases the French luxury house’s 16 metiers (artisinal expertise) in a setting that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

    The store’s facade features teal-green ceramic tiles and semi-sheer rattan screens, offering glimpses into the interior. Inside, the layout is arranged by category, with fashion jewellery, silks, home collections, beauty, and fragrance near the entrance.

    Leather goods and equestrian collections are framed by fabric-covered panels, while dedicated areas present ready-to-wear and footwear. A jewellery and watch salon, adorned with hand-carved lacquered panels, adds a “refined touch”, while hand-tufted carpets introduce texture throughout the space.

    The store also incorporates locally sourced materials, including hand-woven wall fabrics and wooden furniture. Curated artworks from the Emile Hermes collection and contemporary photography further enhance the interior.

    In collaboration with Indonesian art collective Tromarama, the window displays merge the label’s equestrian heritage with Jakarta’s rail network, offering a unique artistic interpretation.

    “We invite visitors to explore our collections in a space that reflects Indonesia’s cultural and artistic heritage,” said Hermes.

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  • Hermes achieves double-digit sales growth in fourth quarter

    Hermes achieves double-digit sales growth in fourth quarter

    Hermes has posted double-digit sales growth for the fourth quarter and the full fiscal year, which management described as a solid performance in an “uncertain” environment.

    The company’s revenue surged 18 percent to €4 billion (US$4.2 billion), both on a reported and constant currency basis, during the quarter ended December 31. This extended the 11.4 percent uplift in the third quarter.

    Sales in Asia excluding Japan were up 10 per cent despite the downturn in traffic in Greater China. In Japan, sales jumped 20 per cent driven by the loyalty of local clients.

    The Americas rose 21.4 percent, while Europe increased 16.9 percent.

    For the full year, revenue rose 13 percent (15 percent in constant currency) to €15 billion, and consolidated net profit increased 7 percent to €4.6 billion.

    “In 2024, in a more uncertain economic and geopolitical context, the solid performance of the results attests to the strength of the Hermes model and the agility of the house’s teams,” said executive chairman Axel Dumas.

    “While preserving the group’s major balances and its responsibility as an employer, the house is staying the course, attached more than ever to its fundamental values of quality, creativity and savoir-faire,” he added.

    The company expects to record continued revenue growth in the medium-term despite the economic, geopolitical and monetary uncertainties.

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  • Hermes reopens Lee Gardens store in Causeway Bay

    Hermes reopens Lee Gardens store in Causeway Bay

    Hermes has reopened its expanded store at Lee Gardens in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

    The store first opened in 1997 and is one of the luxury brand’s six stores in the metropolis.

    Hermes partnered with Parisian architecture agency RDAI for the expanded store’s design, which draws inspiration from nearby natural landscape.

    The expanded store now features three storeys, with its curves and ridges inspired by Hong Kong’s masonry wall trees and the interior showcasing metallic panels.

    A triptych of horses in motion by Japanese artist Ryu Mitarai is displayed at its three windows, which can be seen from the outside.

    The lower floor flaunts Hermes’ men’s and women’s ready-to-wear items, equestrian goods, home collection, and has two private rooms.

    A wooden cocoon on the first floor presents leather, watches, and jewellery metiers.

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  • Hermes unveils expanded Kuala Lumpur store

    Hermes unveils expanded Kuala Lumpur store

    Hermes has opened an expanded store in The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur, which first opened nearly a decade ago.

    The new store, designed by the architectural firm RDAI in Paris, was designed with a contemporary theme and includes elements of local culture and locally produced crafts.

    The store occupies a ground-floor space at Gardens Mall, with a facade assembled with bamboo and cane to reflect traditional, regional weaving techniques. More bamboo features inside along with textured batik print rugs and a lacquered wood backdrop.

    A perfume and beauty area is located on the left side, adjacent to a home goods display. A central lounge links the leather products and equestrian accessories displays with the jewellery area. At the back of the store, is the ready-to-wear zone with two fitting rooms clad in silk panelling.

    The collection of Émile Hermès, including Paul Fleury’s paintings, sits alongside the artworks of the French photographer Thierry Ardouin and the Polish illustrator Jan Bajtlik. A window showcase of hand-made puppets evokes the traditional Malaysian theatre “Wayang Kulit” with a modern turn to this year’s theme, “Spirit of the Faubourg.”

  • Hermes strengthens its presence in Japan with Azabudai Hills store

    Hermes strengthens its presence in Japan with Azabudai Hills store

    Luxury fashion house Hermes has boosted its presence in Tokyo with a new stand-alone store in Azabudai Hills.

    The store is located in a two-story building surrounded by parklands, gardens, and city lodgings. The brand said the venue sparkles like a lantern at night, and its vibrant interiors can be seen from the park during the day.

    The space has a semi-transparent glass front covered in exquisite washi paper, which artists hand-treated to produce a flowing look that transitions from opaque to translucent. The paper is backed with a layer of brilliant panelling inspired by haku, a traditional gold-leaf technique.

    The first entrance leads to the men’s space with leather goods, jewellery and watches, and equestrian collections. The second area features women’s silk alongside perfume and jewellery.

    The grand floor has two fitting rooms and a private salon. Another private area upstairs leads out onto a fragrant rooftop garden covered with trees, evoking the ancient rooftop garden on Paris’s Faubourg Saint-Honouré.

    The store, designed by the Parisian architecture firm RDAI, combines nature with Japanese architectural traditions.

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  • Hermes beats rivals with record sales growth and net profit

    Hermes beats rivals with record sales growth and net profit

    French luxury house Hermes has reported a 16 percent growth in revenue to $14.46 billion for last year, with net profit surging 28 percent to $4.64 billion despite global demand for luxury goods slowing down.

    Sales in the fourth quarter ended December 30 reached $3.56 billion, up 13 percent.

    “These solid results reflect the strong desirability of our collections and the commitment and talent of the house’s women and men,” said Axel Dumas, executive chairman of Hermes.

    The group’s sales in America and Europe increased by 21 percent and 20 percent, respectively, and in Asia (excluding Japan), by 19 percent, with sales growth in all the region’s markets. Sales in Japan surged 26 percent.

    “In the medium-term, despite the economic, geopolitical, and monetary uncertainties around the world, the group confirms an ambitious goal for revenue growth at constant exchange rates,” the company said in a statement.

    Further reading, Gucci’s parent company, Kering Group, reported a revenue of $21 billion for last year, down 4 percent against 2022.

  • Hermes Expands in Nanjing as Luxury Industry Bets on Chinese Return

    Hermes Expands in Nanjing as Luxury Industry Bets on Chinese Return

    Birkin bag maker Hermes is opening a new, enlarged store in China’s Nanjing city, signalling the luxury industry’s confidence in a strong return of Chinese shoppers after three years of tough COVID-19 restrictions.

    Hermes, which first opened a store in the city in 2010, has now relocated to the upscale mall Deji Plaza, with a wider product selection spread across two floors, from silk scarves to leather goods, as well as home decor, jewellery and clothing.

    European luxury houses have continued to invest in China, expected to become the sector’s largest market by 2025, despite a turbulent year marked by disruptions as the country imposed strict curbs to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

    News in late December that the country was relaxing travel rules pushed up the share prices of global luxury companies including the world’s largest, LVMH.

    Hermes and LVMH both generated around 30% of annual sales in China in 2020, according to UBS.

    Mainland China, where Hermes counts 27 stores, has been a strong focus for the leather goods specialist. Last year, Hermes opened a larger store in Wuhan, and set up its first shop in Zhengzhou, in Henan province.

    China is expected to serve as an important source of growth in the coming months as Europe faces an energy crisis and the U.S. economy cools. Bernstein analyst Luca Solca forecasts luxury sales could grow between 25% and 35% in the country this year while in the West they are expected around 5% to 10%.

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  • Hermes reseller Ginza Xiaoma makes its Singapore debut

    Hermes reseller Ginza Xiaoma makes its Singapore debut

    Ginza Xiaoma, the Japanese authorised partner of French luxury brand Hermes, has opened its first boutique in Singapore, its third globally. Located on Orchard Road, the 240sqm store follows a flagship in the Ginza Tokyo, and a Hong Kong boutique.

    Founded in 2015, Ginza Xiaoma has almost 10 years of experience buying, consigning, selling, and trading-in Hermes handbags and accessories.

    According to the company, customers can purchase Hermes handbags at the Singapore store, which offers the region’s largest selection of rare Hermes handbags, including a Sterling Silver Kelly 15, Diamond Himalaya Kelly 28, and Birkin Faubourg.

    Ginza Xiaoma Singapore also hosts the region’s private buyer-only online Hermes auctions and allows individuals to consign their bags. The company says it will introduce NFT auctions and blockchain proof of authenticity in future.

    “We’d already established some strong relationships with local collectors and knew there was an appetite for Hermes resellers,” said a Ginza Xiaoma executive.

    “Singapore is rich with stylish, affluent luxury lovers, but there are a limited number of high-end resellers catering to them.”

    As reported by Statista, Singapore’s luxury fashion industry will generate $770 million in revenue this year. The market is anticipated to increase by 4.79 per cent annually (CAGR from 2022-2027).

  • Hermes reopens it’s Shanghai flagship

    Hermes reopens it’s Shanghai flagship

    On 29th October 2021, Hermès is delighted to open the doors of its newly renovated store in the prestigious Plaza 66 in Shanghai. Spanning over two floors and 656 m2, the vision for this store evokes the richness of the local culture and Hermès’ connection with the city of Shanghai, creating an engaging backdrop for discovering the 16 métiers of the house.

    The new design is established with the store’s powerful façade, which now features a long window carved into its impressive stone surface to allow more natural light to filter through. The transparency of the storefront below is also improved thanks to the generous addition of windows set in a deep-green tinted glass that mingles invitingly with the mineral hues of the stone tiles.

    Transformed by the Parisian architecture agency RDAI, the interiors feature a fluid, curved layout, drawn in response to the existing volumes of the space. Distinctive architectural gestures, like the sculptural lines carved into the soaring ceilings and the rounded walls, enhance the customer path from one side of the open-plan area to the other. Throughout the store, a richly evocative colour palette of deep blue-green, burgundy, and caramel, alternating between matte and lacquer surfaces with added accents of plush velvet, are employed in an impactful way to create a sense of intimacy for each métier. Three-dimensional custom designed carpets with superimposed geometric forms in vivid, saturated colour give structure and individuality to each universe.

    From the main street side entrance, guests are greeted with an animated display of women’s silk and a generous offer of fashion accessories. On the other side of the mall, there is a wider selection of women’s silk and accessories, perfume and beauty. These two entrances include mirroring features that are hallmarks of the house: the Hermès ex-libris underfoot and the iconic “Grecques” globe lighting overhead. The hand-assembled inlaid stonework reflects the house’s savoir-faire: based on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré motif, the pattern disperses before merging again on the other side of the store. The surrounding terrazzo flooring is flecked with preserved pieces of stone from the existing interior façade. Intimate corner spaces and salons on the ground floor are dedicated to the jewellery and watches, as well as the perfume and beauty métiers – fitted out in saturated blue-green tones that contrast with the hand-painted walls and cherrywood cabinetry.

    A new, sweeping staircase serves as an architectural feature and an eye-catching exploration of form that undulates. Above the stairs floats a commissioned work by Chinese artist Xiaojing Yan. The delicate sculpture, almost 2m in height, is a cloud-like vision of a horse at full gallop, crafted from over 10,000 glass pearls suspended by threads. The ascent from the first to the second floor follows a gradient, hand-painted frescoed wall that carries on through to the men’s universe and home collections on the second floor. Natural light from the new window bathes the space in a lustrous warmth and a communal table encourages guests to linger for a coffee. Arriving from the mall through a third entrance here, the line of sight travels past the home and equestrian

    collections, the leather goods, enveloped in warm and glossy tones of red and deep burgundy, through to the spacious women’s universe. Elegantly clad fitting and VIP rooms, as well as numerous lounge areas furnished with deep leather sofas and armchairs, create an inviting ambience throughout the space.

    In the tradition of establishing a distinct identity for each Hermès locale, a collection of carefully selected artwork, contemporary photography, carré prints, and works from the Émile Hermès collection seamlessly blends the past and present.

    This new Hermès store offers local customers and new visitors an utterly bespoke retail experi- ence, set in an engaging and welcoming environment. It binds the culturally vibrant essence of Shanghai with the Parisian house’s contemporary creative spirit and fine craftsmanship.

    Since 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisan model and its humanist values. The freedom to create, the constant search for beautiful materials, the transmission of savoir-faire of excellence, and the aesthetic of functionality all forge the singularity of Hermès, a house of objects created to last. An independent, family owned company, Hermès is dedicated to keeping the majority of its production in France through its 51 workshops and production sites and to developing its network more than 300 stores in 45 countries. The group employs almost 17,000 people worldwide, including nearly 10,600 in France, among whom more than 5,600 are craftsmen*. Axel Dumas, a sixth-generation family member, has been Hermès CEO since 2013.

    Founded in 2008, the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès supports projects in the areas of artistic creation, training and the transmission of savoir-faire, biodiversity, and the preservation of the environment.

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