Hermes does everything with such panache. From the custom carpeting reflecting the house’s haute heritage to the special fried-to-order quail eggs on toast canapes, the Festival des Metiers VIP cocktail reception was a fete not to have been missed.
However, the stars of the night were the artisans of Hermes. With translators next to each artisan, you could see the twinkle in their eyes from the pride they had in doing their work. They spoke about the arduous but meaningful training they received which could last as long as a few years and how specialized each persons’ work was: those who created leather handbags would not work on exotic skins unless trained to do so and those who specialized in painting on the gold to the crystal would never work in molding it.
In a time where there’s fast fashion, instant updates and 24-7 news, inside this tent was a capsule of how handmade artistry has its place in the present and future. It was about how things could be timeless when enough time was spent on creating it. To see the silk screens print each layer of a scarf, to see through the microscope the micro-pave diamond settings on a Chien de Collier rose-gold bracelet, to see the hand stitching on a custom shirt was to see the world again with a different perspective.
But without adieu, please meet some of the very talented and dedicated artisans who help create the world of Hermes.
- Nadia Chabane – Artisan chemise/custom shirt specialist
- Sandrine Gaeng – Crystal painting specialist
- Faustine Poncin – jewelry specialist
- Henri Laly – Silkscreen specialist
Photography Credit: Drew Altizer
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