Hermès | www.jaimemoncarre.com
Similar to Burberry’s The Art of the Trench that hired the Sartoralist, Magnum Photo or submitted by users, Hermès reintroudces one of their many famous category – scarf. A window at Colette and a FB page are in line with the launch of Hermès’ new website jaimemoncarre.com (I Love My Scarf). At the website, they have different girls from Tokyo, NYC, London and Paris to exhibit their own personal way of working the renowned products. it doesn’t take an intellect to explain:
- Friendly, young and modern approach to attract future target audience, i.e. potential customers;
- A showcase to introduce the product to the ever emerging market, make it look hipper;
- Relaunch this aging French mythic garment culture and get it translated literally from around the world;
- The fact that the domain remains French instead of ilovemyscarf.com, sure it’s a way not to forget its French identity;
- Very cleverly so, the French word ‘carré’ will become a worldewide fashion word and straight away you’d have the formula: Carré=Hermes.
from Wikipedia: One of Hermès’ most recognized products today remains its signature silk scarves. The modern Hermès scarf measures 90cm2, weighs 65 grams and is woven from the silk of 250 mulberry moth cocoons. All Hermès scarves are hand-printed using multiple silk screens and the hems are all hand-stitched. Forty-three is the highest number of screens used for one scarf to date (the charity scarf released in 2006), one screen for each color on the scarf. Scarf motives are known to range from germane (the French Revolution, French Cuisine) to the unexpected (such as the flora and fauna of Texas). However, many generally feature equestrian motifs, as well as other symbols of prestige, like coats of arms, banners, and military insignia. Two scarf collections per year are released, along with re-prints of older designs and limited editions. Since 1937, Hermès has produced over 2,500 designs, with the horse motif ones being particularly famous and popular. Production of scarves has ranged from 250,000 in 1978, to 500,000 in 1986, to 1.2 million in 1989. During the holiday season, in the Paris locations, one scarf is sold at a rate of about 20 seconds.
The per-pound cost of a scarf today is approximately $1,965.00 USD (compared to a pound of steel at $0.19). New scarves retail at $375 USD and still account for a significant percentage of Hermès’s turnover. Hermes also markets two collections a year of cashmere/silk blend scarves, which are priced as of Spring 2008 from $550 to $950 USD.
The company’s scarves are very popular. Some find themselves even made into pillows or otherwise as framed wall-hangings. Famous lovers of the Hermès scarf include Queen Elizabeth II (who wore one in a portrait for a British postage stamp in the 1950s), Grace Kelly (who used an Hermès scarf as a sling for her broken arm), Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, and Jacqueline Bouvier Onassis. More recently, Sharon Stone, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hillary Clinton, Mariah Carey, Elle McPherson, Madonna and Oprah Winfrey have all been photographed wearing the scarves. Notoriously, Stone used one for a bondage scene in the film Basic Instinct.
Weekend Wonders
- The French answer to Martha Stewart? They don’t get fat nor old, the never ending subject goes on, how fascinating!
- A/W Sac alert! | Wang goes “Darcy” hobo! Proenza Schouler makes paper tote! Balmain does clutchs!
- Attention! Christophe Lemaire talks and talks and talks …
- Worth revival | the couture father is on the way back with clothes and scents “Je Reviens“.
- Monsieur Jean Yves | Hope he’s not another Alexis Mabille. let’s…
- Want a piece of Dali art on your neck like Carine? Visit the Dali Museum e-shop at a fraction of price.
- The bag line to go w/ your Isabel Marant. Jérôme Dreyfuss even teaches u how to pronounce the French names~ fun.
- A view worth reading | Written by fellow blogger 00o00 about Prada’s financial situation.
- stylePOV’s current read | <Dior by Dior> – the autobiography by the great man himself.
- JPG for La Perla. Moschino for Kartell shoes. Sonia Rykiel w/ Lelievre for “Home Chic Home”. Busy~
Pierre Hardy | Perspective Cube Canvas Launch by Tal Hadad
Pierre Hardy | AW2010
BTW, he’s got a pretty interactive FB page, they’ve got update clippings and has just hosted an Pierre Hardy Contest. Looks rather fun. Wanna know more about him? Read this old interview he did for yours truly back from 2006!
Palais Royal | 156, galerie de Valois, Jardins du Palais Royal – 75001 Paris | +33 1 42 60 59 75
Palais Bourbon (NEW!) | 9-11 place du Palais Bourbon – 75007 Paris | +33 1 45 55 00 67
Les Palaces vus par André
Printemps Haussmann has taken over the elegance and lifestyle of eight Paris luxury hotels, and invited André to photograph these legendary places. He showcases his muses in those emblematic sceneries in a fashionable and impertinent-like manner. He stages his It-girls/ muses (Eat your heart out, Sienna!!!) in these emblematic places in a trendy, cheeky spirit. Styliste Camille Bidault-Waddington (collaborator for Chanel and Marc Jacobs) accompanies André in this project of interior scenes. The result is currently exhibited at the window of Printemps Haussmann, Paris till 3 August 2010.
Style Maverick | Yann Debelle de Montby
“I’ll introduce you to him, come over, let me show you on the computer, he’s very stylish. And I want you to become someone like him for our brand in the future.” Although the cooperation was destined to fail, I took it as a huge compliment indeed.
Yann Debelle de Montby, the ultimate taste maker who has been awarded often enough for being best-dressed and most stylish, is a self-claimed ‘born collector’ and dreamer, his love affairs with beautiful old things and primitive art are well documented. From classic cars to vintage watches and beyond, Yann searches for inspirational objects worldwide. Having lived in Paris and London, the renowned fine gent has settled in Shanghai, China since 2006, where the luxury eager people find him fascinating and welcome with open arms.
A brand in his own right, Debelle de Montby was the Director of Image and Communication at Alfred Dunhill for seven years, has served as Style Advisor to Quintessentially since November 2000. Past positions include: London Ambassador of Berlutti shoes (LVMH Group) and Ambassador of the new Royal Exchange in London. He is also a regular correspondent to GQ UK and Bazaar China.
To many reporters and editors in both english and chinese media, he is the go-to connoisseur for any given subjects related to the art of male dressing. Before any remote chance of becoming one, I believe I have to be a “de la” something first, ‘cos those ambassadors/resses seem to have a name that posh, really: Inès de la Fressange, Victoire de Castellane, the de la Falaises, to name a few; just kiddin’, until then … (*Read more about YDdM: FT, Wallpaper, Luxury Culture, Outlook, EEO, Elle CN, The Peninsula)
Maria Luisa | AW2010
CALLA | AW2010
Amongst all the creations I saw at Maria Luisa Paris shop, the one popped out with its prints the most were the creation done by CALLA.
Designer Calla Haynes, 29, born in Toronto, based in Paris. She attended Parsons School of Design in both New York and Paris. After an initial internship with Robert Normand, she worked with Olivier Theyskens for nearly five years at Rochas and Nina Ricci. Using the textile design skills she honed with Theyskens, she went on to design prints for clients including Jeremy Laing, Alexander Wang, Thomas Engel Hart and Erin Fetherston.
Although relatively young and fresh, Haynes’ collections are based on her idea of “relaxed luxury” – a brand that is unique and crafted, while at the same time modern and easy to wear. Her strong print designs are the foundation of each collection.
Hermès’ Luggage Attacks
Coincidentally, he's also wearing Tod's black patent Gommino. Damn chic!!!
Date: couple nights ago. Time: evening. Location: across the Landmark, Central. Witness: Tod's angel.
We were waiting for the traffic light to go to Landmark, and there he was, an African American male subject looking utterly chic before us. He carried a well-stuffed leather/canvas Hermès Haut à Courroies (aka HAC), with a sweater pretentiously hanging out (of course!), my eyes opened wide and elbowed the Tod’s angel beside me; ‘hmmm, daaaaddy’ I playfully whispered as I drooled over (*the bag), it tickles my thought about investing on a luxury luggage again… (Yes, I took a snap with my phone from behind. Dun judge.) And things didn’t stop there.
Date: last night. Time: evening. Location: le Fauchon, Central.
I had dinner with my DG buyer friend last night, right at the beginning, he said that a friend of his would drop by to pass ‘something’ to him. After his brief encounter, he came back with a huge Hermès shopping bag with a bag eagerly peaks out from the inside. What’s THAT?
“A friend of mine knows of someone who wants to get rid of this 10 year old Victoria, she asked if I’d be interested at hkd XX,000. I hesitated at first, but thought it’s really a good investment and bargain. So I decided to take it.”
Of course he should, it’s such a bargain. This mature Victoria is in blue leather, looking very subtle and made with the older craftsmanship. According to his friend, they don’t stitch her handle this way anymore. Jealousy big time right there at the table. My friend suggested that the leather canvas combo he saw at Sogo is not bad either.
I cured my itch with a Longchamp Pliage few months back, because my cousin told me that many French have at least one of those, usually one for each family member apparently. But before that, Louis Vuitton’s Keepall 45 in Epi black, Prada’s saffiano pieces, or even Goyard’s Croisière were all in my consideration. As the story goes, I now really want a presentable, durable, luxurious holdall/keepall/carryall/overnight-whatever-you-call-it bag as an investment. However, as a blue chip, nothing beats Hermès, damnit! Don’t we all wanna look chic even aboard?!
