Pantin, a neighbourhood in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, is where all the leather dreams of Hermès are turned into reality. It is here, in a bright and spacious workshop built in 1992, that some 250 artisans craft the leather goods that the French luxury house has become so famous for.
It's astonishing to discover because of the status and positioning of Hermès at the forefront of global luxury fashion - that the way these goods are made is so simple and traditional. Tools and techniques have remained almost the same as those used when Thierry Hermès founded the house in 1837, with only slight adjustments being made so that they are easier to use. Almost everything is made by hand: A Kelly handle, made up of five pieces of leather, is placed on a clamp, meticulously stitched with beeswax-coated French linen thread and two needles; dye is applied at the edges by an ultrafine brush handled by the steadiest hand; constant gentle tapping of hammers ensuring that hardware is aligned perfectly. There is no whirring of heavy machinery, no factory production lines for assemblage. Here, one bag is exclusively made by one artisan.
This is just one of the many workshops in France (all Hermès leather goods are made in France only). The French house has over 4,000 artisans in 20 or so manufactures located in regions like Normandy, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and more.
Before Hermès became one of the most desirable luxury leather goods houses in the world today, it was - and still is - a harness-maker and saddler. It was birthed in an era when riding horses was a common means of transport, so Hermès' vision was simple and succinct: to create harnesses that are both robust and fine, liberating the horses while revealing their beauty.
This story is from the October 2022 edition of ELLE Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2022 edition of ELLE Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Saffron Sharpe, 28
Style muse, storyteller, and self-love champion.
A Slice of Haven
WITH ITS BLEND OF INDUSTRIAL COOL AND TROPICAL WARMTH, Public House OFFERS A COSY RESPITE IN THE HEART OF SUKHUMVIT.
Cand bold & unfiltered
With a growing global presence and a loyal following, ATIQA DAR is carving out a space for herself-and for others-where authenticity and representation lead the way.
Vibe Check: office edition
SET THE STAGE FOR YOUR BEST YEAR YETDISCOVER HOW feng shui CAN TRANSFORM YOUR OFFICE MOJO.
CLASSICALLY Kenya
From Nairobi to the Masai Mara, a three-stop itinerary highlights the East African nation's past, present and future.
A nose for reinventing classics
CHANEL's in-house perfumer, Olivier Polge, shares how he marries heritage with modernity in every bottle.
Pop Culture
Supplements for hair, skin, and general health have never been bigger business. But do the results match the promise? JENNIFER GEORGE swallows the truth.
A Storyteller's Craft
Head of Research and Development for Watchmaking at Van Cleef & Arpels, Rainer Bernard, takes CHARMAINE HO behind the velvet curtains for a peek at the French luxury brand's award-winning creations, and the techniques that go into their making.
KESHA frees Herself
With a new album, her own record label, and a 10-year plan to upend the music industry, the LIBERATED POP STAR says anyone with \"deep, dark secrets better run.\"
Joy, Luck & Sisterhood
Mortal enemies on-screen, best friends off-screen, TASHA LOW and CHANTALLE NG are proving that the future of Singapore's entertainment industry is as radiant as their chemistry.
