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2016 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
HERMÈS INTERNATIONAL
10
OVERVIEW OF THE GROUP
1
STAGES OF THE GROUP’S HISTORY
1.1
STAGES OF THE GROUP’S HISTORY
SIX GENERATIONS OF CRAFTSMEN
Today, Hermès employs12,834peopleworldwideandhas307exclu-
sivestores, 210ofwhicharedirectly operated. Although it hasachie-
ved international stature, Hermès has never lost its human touch
and continues its tradition of fine craftsmanship.
Thierry Hermès, a harness-maker, set up business in Paris in 1837.
Ever since, his descendants have worked together to develop the
Hermès Group. In 1880, his son transferred the family business to its
now-famous address, 24 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where he expanded
into saddlery. Soon, he was supplying saddles and harnesses to the
stables of aristocrats all over the world.
In 1918, with the advent of the automobile, the founder’s grandson,
Émile Hermès, foresaw the coming changes in transportation and envi-
sioned new lifestyles. He launched a line of fine leather “saddlestitched”
goods and luggage. The Hermès style was born, and its field of activity
has never ceased to grow.
Émile Hermès also accumulated a private collection of paintings, books
and articles that were to be a source of inspiration for designers. During
the 1950s, Émile Hermès’ sons-in-law, Robert Dumas and Jean-René
Guerrand, continued to diversify operations whilst safeguarding the
brand’s integrity, creating clothing, jewellery, watches, diaries, silk
scarves and more…
Starting in 1978, with the help of other fifth- and sixth-generation
members of the family, Jean-Louis Dumas brought renewed impetus to
Hermès by expanding into new sectors and establishing a global network
of Hermès stores.
28 years later, in2006, he entrusted themanagement to Patrick Thomas
and the company Émile Hermès SARL, while the artistic directorship was
passed on to Pierre-Alexis Dumas in February 2009.
Axel Dumas, a sixth-generation family member, was appointed Executive
Chairman in 2013 alongside Patrick Thomas, who subsequently left his
post in January 2014. Axel Dumas is now in sole charge of the house.
Today, Hermès applies its creativity to a wide range of sectors: leather
goods and saddlery, men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, footwear, belts,
gloves, hats, silks and textiles, jewellery, furniture, furnishing fabrics,
wallpaper, tableware, perfumes, watches and petit h.
International in scope, Hermès is characterised by superlative manufac-
turing inspired by the values of traditional craftsmanship, and remains
a family firm with a uniquely creative spirit that is continuously renewed.
For almost 180 years, Hermès has been creating, inventing and
innovating.
Some of our models enjoy enduring success decades after they were
first designed. Reissued, reinterpreted and reinvented, these timeless
creations forge the identity of Hermès.
1837
s
Harnesses
1867
s
Saddles
Around 1900
s
Haut à courroies
bag, designed by Émile Hermès
1903
s
Rocabar
blanket
1922
s
Belts
1923
s
Two-handled bag
1924
s
Gloves with zipper
Starting in 1925
s
First sports jacket, followed by the development of women’s and
men’s fashions
s
Mallette à coins rapportés
1927
s
Wristwatches
s
Filet de selle
bracelet
1928
s
Ermeto
watch
s
Sac à dépêches
1930
s
Diaries
1937
s
First silk scarves
1938
s
Chaîne d’ancre
bracelet, designed by Robert Dumas
s
First garments with silk scarf patterns