Silken Soirée

For generations, the Hermès Carré has served an enduring emblem of the fashion house's sartorial supremacy. Hasina Jeelani traces its celebrated legacy through the sands of time

Few pieces in your wardrobe can claim the same impact of an iconic Hermès Carré. A canvas for woven metaphors, the fashion house’s library of silk scarves have amassed a cult-like following over the last century, and with good reason—an exquisitely produced confection of silk and style, the eponymous carré is characterised by its heady lexicon of escapism, from levitating equestrian objects to verdant tropical plants and kaleidoscopic illustrations imagined by the finest design minds around the globe.

The iconic silk scarf’s storied history dates back to the 1930s, a hundred years after the house of Hermès was founded in 1837. Robert Dumas, co-director and grandson of founder Thierry Hermès, unveiled the house’s first-ever silk twill scarf titled, ‘Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches’. Seeking inspiration from a famous board game from the 1830s, the scarf served as the start of an enduring success story. “Since its creation, the scarf has been a highly stimulating playground, but one that demands incredibly high standards. My grandfather attached huge importance to the illustration, and focused on the smallest details of its quality,”explains Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director and grandson of Robert Dumas.