Hermès SS09 Scarf Story

TRAVELLING FABRICS
VOYAGE EN ÉTOFFES

The TRAVELLING FABRICS scarf is comprised of an accumulation of ceremonial clothes hung up on poles.  Even though they come from the world over, they all seem to match up well, being different and similar at the same time.  Such harmony is due to the fact that wherever we may be, we find the same fabrics: silk, linen, cotton, hemp, etc., similar textile techniques: batik, ikat, indigo, embroidery, printing, etc., similar patterns and even shapes of clothes.  The geometric decor of South America, for example, is not unlike the drawings of the loincloths worn by the pygmy hunters.  Whether coats, dresses, tunics or finery, these “costumes” have in common to represent the desire of men and women to make themselves “handsome”.  Costume art is eternal, universal, full of symbols linked to tradition, rite and religion.  The choice of fabric and patterns corresponds to a specific language, whether as the social status for a religious celebration, a wedding or for ethnic recognition.  Nothing is out-of-fashion, since they are completely disconnected from time and trends.

Artist: Annie Faivre

FAUBOURG EXPRESS

Such as a picture cut out from the landscape, framed by the window of a passing train, the FAUBOURG EXPRESS scarf wavers between reality and abstraction.  The image is streaked with thin lines, giving the immediate impression of speed.  Reality is transformed waiting to be reconstituted, imagination set free.  This blurred image provides a moment of escape to the onlooker.

Carried away by a high-speed train that erases the landscape and makes it fray, rocked by the regular rhythm of the engines, the traveller plunges into an almost hypnotic dream.

Artist: Dimitri Rybaltchenko

LE PEUPLE DU VENT
PEOPLE OF THE WINDS

Called Tziganes, Gypsies or Bohemians, amongst others, in accordance with their origin, they are also known as the people of the winds, being constantly on the move and travelling the world with no anchor point.  At the outset, however, these eternal travellers originated from East India.  Through all their legends, they are in harmony with nature and are reputed to have certain powers, such as communicating with animals and reading the lines of the hand.  Singing and dancing are an integral part of their culture; even the origins of Flamenco are partially attributed to the gypsy population.

Such as a vast covered Indian carpet recalling their origins, the PEOPLE OF THE WINDS scarf brings together all these symbols.  In the centre stands the tree of life, surrounded at each corner by gypsy dancers.  Dotted here and there on the branches are tightrope walkers, musicians, a tiny gypsy caravan, animals, horses, bears, monkeys, etc.  A detail in the lower part of the scarf depicts the legend of Sara, the Black Virgin, whose small boat caught up in a storm was rescued by pink flamingos pulling it onto the Camargue beaches.  Their emblem, a wheel - referring to that from a gypsy caravan or from the fortune-teller - is quite predominant on the scarf. 

Since 1971, all those referred to as Bohemians have joined forces in an effort to be considered by the UN as a single population, designated under the name of “Roma”. Their flag is half blue like the sky and half green like the pastures with a wheel in the centre, similar to an Indian “chakra”.

Artist: Christine Henry

 MON PETIT CHEVAL MEXICAIN
MY LITTLE MEXICAN HORSE

The MY LITTLE MEXICAN HORSE scarf depicts an almost life-size object from the Émile Hermès Museum Collection.  This horse, being the size of a very tiny pony, is quite real in appearance with its mane in real horse hair and being tacked up like a true steed: bridle and bit, patterned saddle pad, repoussé-leather coloured saddle, stirrup leathers in identical Mexican style, though just on a smaller scale.

Its particular sign is found on the pommel of the saddle, revealing the chromo of a little girl’s portrait, probably the owner, having been given this charming gift by her father, a Mexican businessman.  On one of the hooves can be found a brass plate engraved with the name “Mathez”.  Perhaps this is the name of the child or that given to her playmate?  Yet, would this have been a toy despite its delicacy and fragility, or would it rather have been a shop-window display to present the reduced-size tack as a work or art, such as made by craftsmen-saddlers to illustrate their expertise?  In spite of their research, the curators at the Hermès Museum have been unable to answer these questions.  History thus retains all its mystery and enables us to embark on a dream!

Artist: Wlodek Kaminski

 H EN VOYAGE
TRAVELLING H

TRAVELLING H pays tribute to a world dear to Hermes, the reason of being for fine leather goods and luggage.

Its central design is a pattern in the shape of a capital H, composed like a game of dice with real luggage originating from the Hermes Academy.  Cases, trunks, bags, all items made in the Hermes ateliers over the years, preserved as witness of their leather, of their techniques and of their design.  We indeed find many an identical detail or finish reproduced today on the contemporary luggage line.

The background of the scarf reveals the very first design created by Hermes for its canvas travel bag, a tartan marked with an H, graphically redesigned to give perspective and create optical and dynamic play.

Artist: Bertrand Houdin and Charlotte Halpern

Shop No.:118