HERMES TO LAUNCH FURNISHINGS COLLECTION

THE ICONIC LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE HERMES HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL LAUNCH ITS FIRST FURNITURE COLLECTION DURING THE SALONE DEL MOBILE, RUNNING 12-17.APRIL. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PIERRE-ALEXIS DUMAS HAS TEAMED UP WITH DESIGNERS INCLUDING ENZO MARI, DENIS MONTEL AND ANTONIO CITTERIO TO CREATE FURNISHINGS, FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SELECT HERMES BOUTIQUES THIS FALL. IN ADDITION, AS PART OF A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALIAN MANUFACTURER DEDAR, HERMES WILL PRESENT A RANGE OF HOME FABRICS, WALLPAPER AND CARPETS. UNDER THE LABEL OF NEWLY FORMED VENTURE FAUBOURG ITALIA, THE LINE WILL GO ON SALE IN HERMES AS WELL AS DEDAR BOUTIQUES IN MAY.

HERMES GENTLEMEN'S VALET

FAMED FRENCH LUXURY DESIGNER HERMES HAS RECENTLY CREATED THE ULTIMATE ACCESSORY FOR THE WORLD'S BEST-DRESSED GENTLEMAN, A VALET STAND IN SOLID MAHOGANY, FINE LEATHER AND BRASS WITH EBONY DETAILING. THE STUNNING LUXE PIECE, DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE A FULL SUIT OF GENTLEMAN'S CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES, IS A LIMITED EDITION RE-ISSUE OF A CLASSIC ITEM CREATED FOR HERMES IN 1930 BY FAMED FRENCH DECORATOR AND DESIGNER PAUL DUPRE-LAFON. THE ORIGINAL WAS SOLD BY SOTHEBY'S AT ITS ART NOUVEAU 7 ART DECO SALE IN PARIS IN 2007 FOR AN ESTIMATED $65,000. THE STAND, WITH AN ART DECO AND VINTAGE FLAIR, FEATURES A CALFSKIN HANGER FOR THE SUIT, A CALFSKIN TRAY FOR WATCHES AND JEWELRY, A MAHOGANY SHOE RACK AT THE BASE, AND BRASS HOOKS AND RODS FOR TIES AND BELTS. WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,000 THE UNIQUE CREATION WILL BE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

HERMES ARCEAU POCKET PROMENADE DE LONGCHAMP

THE ARCEAU WRISTWATCH IMAGINED IN 1978 BY HENRI D'ORIGNY LENDS ITSELF IDEALLY TO A POCKET-WATCH VERSION. ITS ASYMMETRICAL ATTACHMENT AND ITS LUGS NATURALLY INVITE A CORD-STRAP FIXED TO THE ARCH LIKE STIRRUP LEATHER TO A STIRRUP, THUS EVOKING THE SADDLE AND HARNESS MAKING ORIGINS OF HERMES. WHETHER IN A TROUSER OR JACKET POCKET, THE MANNER OF WEARING THE ARCEAU POCKET FURTHER ACCENTUATES THE INNATE CLASSIC CHIC OF THE ORIGINAL WATCH DESIGN. THE ARCEAU POCKET PROMENADE DE LONGCHAMP INTRODUCES A NEW DIAL THAT IS A TRUE WORK OF ART SCULPTURE FROM A BLOCK OF NATURAL MOTHER OF PEARL. IT DEPICTS AN EQUESTRIAN SCENE USING A RELIEF MODELING TECHNIQUE: THE CARRIAGE, HORSES AND PROTAGONISTS ARE THEMSELVES ENGRAVED ON TWO SUPERIMPOSED GOLD PLATES. THE PERSPECTIVE LINES, THE VARIOUS PLANES AND THE DEPTH OF FIELD, UNDERSCORED BY THE THIRD DIMENSION OF THE CREATION, INSTILL A DISTINCT SENSE OF LIFE AND MOVEMENT. THE MOTIF EVOKES THE CENTRAL DETAIL OF THE PROMENADE DE LONGCHAMP SILK CARRE DESIGNED BY PHILIPPE LEDOUX IN 1965. THE WHITE GOLD 43.2mm CASE AND SHIMMERING GREY-BLUE MOTHER OF PEARL DIAL RADIATE A SENSE OF DIAPHANOUS HARMONY THAT MAKES A STRIKING CONTRAST WITH THE CORD-STRAP AND POUCH IN MATT HAVANA ALLIGATOR LEATHER.

HERMES BIRKIN CLUB

THE ICONIC PARISIAN LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE HERMES HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A STUNNING NEW TAKE ON THEIR CLASSIC BIRKIN BAG FOR THEIR SPRING/SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION. THE HERMES BIRKIN CLUB FEATURES THREE DISTINCT STRIPES IN GRIS, PERLE AND MYKONOS BLUE LIZARD MAKING IT UNIQUELY STYLISH AND DIFFERENT. THE BAG HAS BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO GIVE IT A YOUNG AND SPORTY LOOK AS AN ALTERNATIVE FROM THE CLASSIC BIRKIN AND IS EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE

HERMES OPENS NEW CHINESE BRAND SHANG XIA

HERMES HAS OPENED ITS FIRST BOUTIQUE FOR ITS NEW BRAND SHANG XIA, A BOLD STRATEGY THAT HIGHLIGHTS CHINA'S GROWING IMPORTANCE TO LUXURY GOODS COMPANIES. 'WE ARE VERY MOVED, THIS IS LIKE THE BIRTH OF A CHILD', HERMES CHIEF EXECUTIVE PATRICK THOMAS SAID AHEAD OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE SHOP IN SHANGHAI. THE STORE, A PICTURE OF MINIMALIST CHIC, OFFERS CLOTHING, HOME FURNISHINGS, SHOES AND TABLEWARE, A COLLECTION INSPIRED BY TEA, AND MADE FROM TRADITIONAL ASIAN MATERIALS SUCH AS BAMBOO, CASHMERE AND PORCELAIN. IN FRONT OF THE STORE, ARTISANS PUT THEIR SKILLS ON DISPLAY FOR THE WIDELY ANTICIPATED OPENING, MAKING TEA CUPS ENVELOPED IN AN INTRICATE WEB OF WOVEN BAMBOO. SHANG XAI, WHOSE NAME MEANS 'UP DOWN' IN MANDARIN, AIMS TO BOOST WHAT THOMAS TOLD AFP LAST MONTH WAS 'VERY STRONG GROWTH' IN MAINLAND CHINA, HONG KONG, MACAU AND TAIWAN, COLLECTIVELY NOW THE COMPANY'S 'PRINCIPAL MARKET'. 'THE IDEA IS TO BRING THE HERMES PHILOSOPHY TO CHINA, TO CREATE A CHINESE HERMES', THOMAS TOLD AFP. THE BRAND, WHICH WILL BE RUN AS A SEPARATE ENTITY, PRESENTS A UNIQUE CHINA STRATEGY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FASHION HOUSE: BUILDING A BRAND FROM SCRATCH AROUND A BLEND OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN. 'IF SHANG XAI BECOMES A COMPETITOR TO HERMES, THAT WOULD BE A SUCCESS', SAID THOMAS, WHO ADDED HE IS PLANNING TO OPEN THE NEW LABEL'S STANDALONE STORE IN PARIS, WITHOUT OFFERING A SPECIFIC DATE. THE BRAND'S CREATIVE DIRECTOR JIANG QIONGER, A SHANGHAI-BASED, IS MANAGING A TEAM OF ABOUT 20 ARTISANS WHO WILL BRING TO LIFE THE DESIGN TEAM'S VISION. SALES OF LUXURY GOODS IN MAINLAND CHINA HIT AN ESTIMATED $8.6 BILLION IN 2008, ACCORDING TO THE CONSULTING FIRM BAIN & COMPANY. WHEN PURCHASES BY CHINESE PEOPLE ABROAD ARE FACTORED IN, THE MARKET WAS WORTH $20 BILLION. CHINA IS FORECAST TO BECOME THE WORLD'S TOP BUYER OF LUXURY GOODS BY 2015, ACCORDING TO THE CONSULTING FIRM PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS.

HERMES LES 4 MONDES COLOURING BOOK

THE LES 4 MONDES COLOURING BOOK FROM LEGENDARY LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE HERMES IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COLOURING BOOKS EVER. PRICED AT $130, THE BOOK CONTAINS 12 PAGES OF 24 DESIGNS FOR YOU TO FILL WITH COLOUR, WHICH MEANS EACH PAGE YOUR CHILD WILL DRAW IS GOING TO COST MORE THAN $10. HERMES SAYS THAT THE LUXE COLOURING BOOK IS FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS. WHILE THE PRICE MAY SEEM SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS FOR A COLOURING BOOK, IT'S ABOUT THE BRAND. . . IT'S ABOUT HERMES.

HERMES TALARIS SADDLE

HERMES HAS RECENTLY RELEASED ITS NEW TALARIS SADDLE AS PART OF THEIR EQUESTRIAN ACCESSORY COLLECTION. THE TALARIS SADDLE IS DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE A NORMAL SADDLE BUT WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE IS THE INTERIOR THAT TOOK HERMES ENGINEERS NEARLY THREE YEARS TO PERFECT. THE TALARIS HAS BEEN CAREFULLY ENGINEERED TO OFFER THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMFORT NEVER BEFORE SEEN IN A SADDLE. THE WEIGHT OF THE SADDLE IS ONE POINT FIVE KILOS LESS THAN WHAT A NORMAL SADDLE WEIGHS, METAL AND WOOD HAVE BEEN PLACED WITH CARBON AND TITANIUM TO MAKE IT LIGHTER AND MORE DURABLE. THE HERMES TALARIS SADDLE CAN BE ADJUSTED TO FIT ANY RIDER AND HORSE AND IS AVAILABLE FROM HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

HERMES TIMEPIECES 2010 AD CAMPAIGN

FRENCH LUXURY HOUSE HERMES HAS UNVEILED ITS LATEST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN SHOWCASING ITS WATCHES AGAINST A SERIES OF EQUESTRIAN-THEMED IMAGES. THE STUNNING SET OF ADVERTISEMENTS DEPICT HORSES IN A VARIETY OF DRAMATIC SCENES AND UNUSUAL LOCATIONS, RUNNING ALONGSIDE IMAGES OF THE WATCHMAKERS NEWEST MODELS. THE PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER TIM FLACH, AND EACH IMAGE IS SEPARATED BY THE BRAND'S RIBBON, WHICH READS: HERMES SELLIER - HERMES HOROLOGER.

HERMES CARRE H WATCH

FAMED FRENCH LUXURY HOUSE HERMES HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A STUNNING NEW WATCH IN COLLABORATION WITH ARCHITECT MARC BERTHIER ITS NEW CARRE H WATCH. THE CARRE H WATCH FEATURES A GIRARD PERREGAUX AUTOMATIC CALIBER GP3200 MOVEMENT WHICH BOASTS A POWER RESERVE OF UP TO FORTY FOUR HOURS. THE OVER-SIZED SQUARE CASE IS MADE OF TITANIUM AND FEATURES LARGE DEFINED CURVES, THE WATCH IS AVAILABLE FOR $15,000 AND IS SOLD EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH HERMES BOUTIQUES IN LIMITED QUANTITIES.

HERMES ORIGAMI PAPER SET

FRENCH FASHION AND LUXURY GOODS HOUSE HERMES IS OFFERING AN EYE-CATCHING NEW ORIGAMI SET PLAYING HOMAGE TO ITS ICONIC SCARF DESIGNS. THE UNIQUE CREATION FEATURES SEVERAL SHEETS OF TRADITIONAL ORIGAMI PAPER IN BRIGHT COLOURS, ADORNED WITH SCARF PRINTS IN VARIOUS MOTIFS ON ONE SIDE, AND A DEEP-HUED ROTHKO-LIKE COLOUR BLOCKS ON THE OTHER. THE HERMES SCARF IS MORE THAN A MERE SQUARE OF SILK, IT'S THE STUFF OF HISTORIC LEGEND, WORN BY STYLE ICONS SUCH AS GRACE KELLY, AUDREY HEPBURN, AND CATHERINE DENEUVE. HERMES MADE ITS FIRST SCARF IN 1937, AND HAS SINCE PRODUCED MORE THAN 2,000 DIFFERENT DESIGNS, MANY ADAPTED TO MEN'S NECKTIES AS WELL. THE ENVELOPE FOR THE PAPERS IS DESIGNED IN THE STYLE OF A PIECE OF FOLDED ORIGAMI, AND ECHOES THAT OF THE LEATHER CLUTCHES HERMES HAS OFFERED IN THE PAST. ENCASED IN A HAND-STITCHED BLACK SADDLE LEATHER ENVELOPE AND PRESENTED IN A BLACK LACQUER BOX, THE SET IS PRICED AT ABOUT $740. ORIGAMI IS A TRADITIONAL FOLK ART OF PAPER FOLDING WHICH ORIGINATED IN 17th CENTURY JAPAN, WHICH PLAYS WELL TO HERMES' PHILOSOPHY OF THE SIMPLE YET INTRICATE IN DESIGN.

HERMES FOLDING TRAVEL BELT

HERMES HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A UNIQUE BELT SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR TRAVELING. THE BELT FEATURES SILVER RIVETS, EMBLAZONED WITH HERMES' ICON LOGO, WHICH ALLOWS THE BELT TO FOLD AT THE POINTS AND THEN BECOME FLAT. ONCE FOLDED IT CAN EASILY BE PACKED TAKING UP MINIMAL SPACE IN A CARRY-ON BAG. THE BELT IS MADE HERMES' ICONIC LEATHER WHICH IS STURDY YET LIGHTWEIGHT FOR TRAVEL. THE HERMES FOLDING TRAVEL BELT IS AVAILABLE FROM HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE AND AT THEIR WEBSITE www.hermes.com.

JEAN-LOUIS DUMAS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF HERMES DIES AT AGE 72

JEAN-LOUIS DUMAS, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF HERMES AND ONE OF EUROPE'S GREATEST EXPERTS ON LUXURY, DIED SATURDAY MORNING AFTER A LONG ILLNESS. DUMAS, THE GREAT GREAT GRANDSON OF THIERRY HERMES, WHO FOUNDED THE FAMED LUXURY LABEL IN 1837, HAD BEEN PRESIDENT OF HERMES FOR 18 YEARS UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 2006. FAMOUSLY ELEGANT, AND NOTED FOR HIS INVENTIVE AND CURIOUS MIND, DUMAS WAS REGARDED AS THE DRIVING FORCE IN HERMES' REMARKABLE FLOWERING IN THE PAST THREE DECADES, AS THE LABEL GREW FROM LARGELY A LEATHER GOODS BUSINESS INTO A MAJOR LEAGUE LUXURY BRAND. 'IT IS WITH A PROFOUND EMOTION AND GREAT SADNESS THAT THE HOUSE OF HERMES ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF MONSIEUR JEAN-LOUIS DUMAS', THE HOUSE SAID IN A RELEASE MONDAY. 'POET AND MAGICIAN, LOVER OF CREATION AND QUALITY, ATTENTIVE TO ALL, HE SEWED THE DEEPEST BONDS WITH THE STAFF, SUPPLIERS AND CLIENTS', THE RELEASE ADDED. FLUENT IN ENGLISH WELL BEFORE MANY FRENCH EXECUTIVES OF HIS ERA, DUMAS TAPPED INTO HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A BUYER FOR BLOOMINGDALE'S WHEN HE JOINED HERMES IN 1964, AFTER A LEGENDARY TRIP TO INDIA IN A CITROEN 'DEUX CHEVAUX' AUTOMOBILE TO KATMANDU, NEPAL. HE THREW OPEN THE DOORS OF HERMES TO WIDELY VARYING OUTSIDE IDEAS; CREATING A POLICY WHEREBY ANYONE CAN SUBMIT A SKETCH TO THE HOUSE WHICH, IF DEEMED FINE ENOUGH, WILL BE TURNED INTO A SCARF. AND IT WAS DUMAS WHO REQUESTED SINGER JANE BIRKIN TO DEVELOP ONE OF THE LABEL'S MOST ICONIC PRODUCTS, THE BIRKIN BAG. IN THE THREE DECADES AT THE HELM, DUMAS HELPED TRANSFORM HERMES FROM A COMPANY WITH ANNUAL SALES OF $53 MILLION, TO ONE WITH 2009 TURNOVER OF $2.5 BILLION. DUMAS' CHILDREN SANDRINE AND PIERRE ALEXIS SURVIVE HIM. HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN THE REFORMED CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PARIS THIS COMING FRIDAY.

HERMES 'HAUTE BIJOUTERIE' JEWELRY COLLECTION

FRENCH LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE HERMES HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL BE LAUNCHING A STUNNING AND UNIQUE NEW COLLECTION OF FINE JEWELRY DESIGNED BY FAMOUS ACCESSORIES DESIGNER PIERRE HARDY. THE 14 PIECE COLLECTION WHICH HAS BEEN NAMED 'HAUTE BIJOUTERIE' WAS INSPIRED BY THE SHAPE OF A HORSE'S HOOF TO KEEP WITH THE FASHION HOUSE'S EQUESTRIAN ROOTS. PRICES RANGE FROM $23,675 FOR A PAIR OF ROSE GOLD AND BLACK JADE EARRINGS TO $880,000 FOR A DIAMOND NECKLACE. THE JEWELRY PIECES WILL COME IN CUSTOM-MADE BOXES MADE OF BLACK ALLIGATOR LEATHER. HERMES WILL BE TAKING ORDERS FOR THE COLLECTION ON A WORLD TOUR THAT WILL STOP IN TOKYO IN SEPTEMBER, HONG KONG IN OCTOBER AND BERLIN IN NOVEMBER. THE WAITING TIME IS FIVE TO SEVEN MONTHS, AND PIECES CAN BE ADAPTED TO CUSTOMERS' TASTES.

HERMES TO OPEN FIRST SHANG XIA BRAND IN CHINA

HERMES HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL OPEN ITS FIRST STORE UNDER THE XIA BRAND IN CHINA THIS SEPTEMBER. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PATRICK THOMAS, SAID: 'SHANG XIA, WHICH IS OWNED BY HERMES AND HAS ITS OWN DESIGN TEAM, WILL MAKE AND SELL CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES BASED ON CHINESE STYLES AND TRADITIONAL KNOW-HOW.' ADDING THAT IF CUSTOMER REACTION PROVES POSITIVE, HERMES WILL 'PROBABLY OPEN A STORE IN PARIS NEXT YEAR AND GRADUALLY ROLL OUT WORLDWIDE.' THE FIRST BOUTIQUE WILL OPEN IN SHANGHAI.

HERMES PLANS TO EXPAND ITS LUXURY MARKET

HERMES HAS BEEN EXPANDING ITS REACH SINCE IT STARTED AS A LUXURY PARISIAN SADDLE SHOP IN 1837. TODAY HERMES NOW ENCOMPASSES 17 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, WHICH STILL INCLUDES LUXURY CUSTOM MADE SADDLES AS WELL AS PERFUME, APPAREL AND TABLEWARE TO JEWELRY AND CASHMERE THROWS. THEN THERE'S THE FAMOUS LINE OF ICONIC HAND BAGS, INCLUDING THE MUCH COVETED BIRKIN BAG. THANKS TO PIERRE-ALEXIS DUMAS, THE COMPANY'S VISIONARY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, HERMES HAS EXPANDED ITS RANGE TO ALSO INCLUDE A $7.6 MILLION HELICOPTER, A $2.1 MILLION CAR AND A $109 MILLION YACHT. AND HE PLANS ON FURTHER EXPANSION. IN A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, DUMAS REVEALED HIS PLANS TO REFRESH AND EXPAND ON THE HERMES LUGGAGE LINE AND THE HERMES BRAND AS A WHOLE. 'TWENTY YEARS AGO WE DID A HARD-CASE SUITCASE IN CARBON FIBER. IT WAS QUITE INNOVATIVE. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN EXPANDING THE LINE. WE HAVE TO REINVENT OURSELVES. IF WE LAUNCH A PERFUME AND IT IS WHAT WE DID IN THE 70s, WHAT'S THE POINT? WE ARE CONSTANTLY REASSESSING WHO WE ARE. HERMES IS GOING TO EXPAND MORE ON SPACE AND HOME. IF YOU HAVE A VERY LARGE BOAT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PUT INSIDE?'

HERMES ARCEAU POCKET WATCH DUC ATTELE

CONTINUING ITS TREND OF REVIVING THE NUANCES OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF LUXURY AND STYLE, HERMES HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED YET ANOTHER STUNNING POCKET WATCH CHRISTENED THE HERMES ARCEAU POCKET WATCH DUC ATTELE. FLAUNTING AN 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD CASE AND AR-COATED CRYSTALS THE UNIQUE TIMEPIECE IS TRULY AN AMAZING WORK OF CLASSICISM. THE DIAL OF THE WATCH IS NATURAL WHITE MOTHER OF PEARL, AND FEATURES THE ICONIC HERMES MOTIF DEPICTED FROM A ALFRED DE DREUX DRAWING. BOASTING A SWISS AUTOMATIC CALIBER H1929 VAUCHER MOVEMENT, THE ELEGANT POCKET WATCH HAS A POWER RESERVE OF 55 HOURS. TRULY TO BECOME A COLLECTOR'S ITEM, WITH ITS SLIM LEATHER CORD STRAP AND A UNIQUE HERMES LEATHER POUCH WHICH HOUSES THE TIMEPIECE. THE HERMES ARCEAU POCKET WATCH DUC ATTELE IS AN EXQUISITE AND CLASSIC TIMEPIECE.

HERMES OPENS FIRST HERMES MEN'S STORE IN NEW YORK

FRENCH LUXURY HOUSE HERMES RECENTLY OPENED ITS FIRST MEN'S BOUTIQUE ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO MEN'S READY TO WEAR, ACCESSORIES AND ART OF LIVING. CALLED HERMES MAN, THE STUNNING BOUTIQUE IS LOCATED IN NEW YORK AT 690 MADISON AVENUE AT EAST 62nd STREET AND STANDS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE US FLAGSHIP STORE. THE 2,450 SQUARE FOOT STORE IS THE FIRST IN THE WORLD THAT HERMES HAS DEDICATED TO MEN. THE CLASSIC BROWNSTONE WAS REDESIGNED BY RDAI, THE PARISIAN ARCHITECTURAL AGENCY FOUNDED BY RENA DUMAS, AND FEATURES AN INTERIOR THAT IS NEW AND CONTEMPORARY YET BORROWS FROM THE DECORATIVE STYLES OF THE TRADITIONAL TAILOR'S SHOP AND GENTLEMAN'S CLUB. DETAILS FROM THE ORIGINAL HERMES STORE AT 24 FAUBOURG SAINT-HONORE ARE REVEALED AND REWORKED AND PAIRED WITH THE STORE'S STREAMLINED ARCHITECTURE TO OFFER A UNIQUE SPACE THAT IS BOTH ELEGANT AND SIMPLE. FOR THE DISCERNING CUSTOMER, THE STORE WILL FEATURE AN ARRAY OF MERCHANDISE MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE LOCATION. EXCLUSIVE ITEMS INCLUDE A SELECTION OF SILK TIES, ONE WITH THE STATUE OF LIBERTY NEXT TO THE EIFFEL TOWER ON THE FRONT, WHILE ANOTHER HAS AN APPLE MOTIF AND COMES IN FOUR DIFFERENT COLOURS. ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE SIGNATURE ITEM IS A HANDCRAFTED LEATHER BASEBALL GLOVE, WHICH RETAILS FOR $8,500. 'THE BASEBALL GLOVE IS A NEW PRODUCT', SAID A SPOKESPERSON FOR HERMES. 'IT HAS NEVER BEEN MADE BEFORE BY HERMES. WE THOUGHT IF WE ARE OPENING OUR VERY FIRST HERMES BOUTIQUE FOR MEN AND IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN NEW YORK CITY, THEN WE NEED TO MAKE A BASEBALL GLOVE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WITH THE LEATHER AND THE STITCHING, IT IS A NATURAL FIT FOR US. WHEN WE FIRST SAW THE GLOVE, WE WERE ALL TAKEN ABACK BY HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS. AND AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, AS WE KNEW THIS DATE WAS APPROACHING, THE NEW YORK YANKEES WON THE WORLD SERIES.'

HERMES ADDS A CHRONOGRAPH TO ITS CLIPPER COLLECTION

THE RENOWNED FRENCH WATCHMAKER HERMES HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED A NEW INTERPRETATION OF ITS LEGENDARY CLIPPER WATCH AT BASELWORLD 2010. THE HERMES CLIPPER CHRONOGRAPH TAKES ITS INSPIRATION FROM THE BRAND'S ICONIC DIVE/SAILING TIMEPIECES WHICH ARE DESIGNED FOR ACTION WITH ITS ELEGANTLY CRAFTED 44mm TITANIUM CASE ON A 'HERMES ORANGE' RUBBER STRAP. BOTH THE FRONT AND BACKSIDES OF THE WATCH ARE FITTED WITH GLARE-PROOF SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS. PRICED BETWEEN $5,000 AND $10,000 DEPENDING ON THE SIZE ORDERED: 26mm AND 28mm QUARTZ, 36mm CHRONOGRAPH, AND A 39.5mm AUTOMATIC, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FROM HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

HERMES SPORTS BINOCULARS

IT WAS A HALLMARK OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING SET IN DAYS GONE BY THAT A GENTLEMAN ALWAYS BROUGHT ALONG A PAIR OF FIELD GLASSES IN A FITTED LEATHER CASE WHEN ATTENDING RACE MEETS, HORSE SHOWS AND THE LIKE. NOW ICONIC LUXURY LEATHER GOODS HOUSE HERMES HAS RECENTLY CREATED A BEAUTIFUL PAIR OF LEATHER WRAPPED BINOCULARS THAT ARE THE PERFECT ACCESSORY FOR STYLISH SPORTING EVENTS. THE BINOCULARS ARE LEICA'S COMPACT, SUPER-SHARP ULTRAVID MODEL FROM THEIR SPORTS OPTICS COLLECTION AND ARE WRAPPED IN HERMES' SIGNATURE SADDLE LEATHER WITH HAND-STITCHED LEATHER CARRYING STRAP, THEY'RE PRICED AT $2,500 AND ARE AVAILABLE AT HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

HERMES L'HEURE H BOUGANVILLIER

HERMES NEWEST TIMEPIECE PAYS TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ANTOINE DE BOUGAINVILLE, THE FAMOUS EXPLORER WHO MESMERIZED MANY WITH HIS FINDINGS FROM BRAZIL, TAHITI AND MAURITIUS. AMONG HIS FINDINGS WAS A SMALL SHRUB, WITH DELICATE LEAVES OF A DEEP, BRIGHT PINK SHADE, WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS THE BOUGAINVILLE. THE HERMES TIMEPIECE, NAMED THE L'HEURE H BOUGANVILLIER PLAYS WITH THE HUES AND SHADES OF THE BEAUTIFUL SHRUB. THE STUNNING SHADE OF THE TIMEPIECE REFLECTS THE COLOURFUL LANDSCAPES AND CHEERFUL FEELINGS THAT ARISE ON THE SIGHT OF SUCH SCENIC BEAUTY. A SHINY PINK LEATHER STRAP, ENGAGES THE CASE, WHOSE CONTOURS TRACE THE ICONIC INITIAL LETTER H OF THE HOUSE OF HERMES. THE BEZEL IS ADORNED WITH 64 SPARKLING BRILLIANT CUT DIAMONDS, WHILE ALL THE NUMBERS ARE BLACK LACQUER SAVE FOR THE NUMERALS 2 AND FOUR WHICH ARE IN A BOLD PINK, MATCHING THE COLOURFUL BEAUTY OF THE BOUGAINVILLE SHRUB.