HERMES HANDBAGS

ABOUT HERMES HANDBAGS

What began as a “glint in the eye” of Thierry Hermes in 1837 France, he founded the Hermes brand as a harness workshop, serving French nobility. Focusing on high-quality leather harnesses and bridles, the Hermes workshop specialized in the legendary “carriage trade.” Thierry’s son (Charles-Emile) managed the company after Thierry stepped back, moving the shop (1880) to 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, where it still exists in the present day. The Hermes company focused on the European, North African, Russian, Asian, and American elite. The company once created quality saddles for the Russian czar. Hermes also created the first zippered leather golf jacket for the English Prince of Wales. When Charles-Emile retired, his sons, Adolphe and Emile-Maurice managed the Hermes company, renaming it Hermes Freres (Hermes Brothers). They obtained exclusive rights to use zippers for their clothing and accessories. They introduced leather handbags in 1922. They did so, because Emile-Maurice’s wife could not find a handbag she liked.  After its modest beginnings in the saddlery industry, Hermes became a global brand for its full menu of luxury goods. Although there are 14 product divisions, Hermes handbags remain prominent in the leather handbag industry.