Made to LAST

Hermés showcases its sustainable process of creating objects that has always been ahead of its time.

- TAN SIOK HOON

Sustainability is a key word that is now ingrained in present day conversations. As organisations become more responsible, the rate at which sustainable goals and strategies are being embedded into business plans is speeding up. And Hermès has been a sustainability forerunner since it was founded in 1837. In creating objects, the Maison is always guided by the values of durability, quality, innovation, transmission and functional aesthetics-perfectly in tune with the current focus on preserving the planet and its resources.

We were privileged to be invited to the Singapore edition of Hermès in the Making, held from October 1 to 9 at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza. It afforded a wonderful opportunity to be immersed in the Maison's contemporary manufacturing and way of doing things. At the heart of its creative and innovative spirit are the artisans and craftsmanship techniques used to create Hermès objects which are designed and made to last, to be repaired and passed on. Hermès specially flew in the crafts experts of around ten métiers straight from their workshops in France.

Proudly taking their place across a bright open-plan scenography inspired by the craftsman's workbench at Hermès in the Making, we met with and engaged personally with the artisans as they showcased their expertise using original sets of tools and materials, alongside detailed and meticulous explanations.

The exhibition was segmented into four themes underpinning the history and life of the House: preservation and transmission of know-how; respect for and quality of materials; commitment to the long-term; and regional anchoring. For easy navigation, the four sections were coded by colour under these categories: A Culture of Traditional Craftsmanship (yellow); Highquality Materials (orange); Time, Our Ally (red); and The Talent of Our Regions (pink).

CRAFT&TRADITION