HERMES_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

OVERVIEW OF THE GROUP

STAGES OF THE GROUP’S HISTORY: SIX GENERATIONS OF CRAFTSMEN

STAGES OF THE GROUP’S HISTORY: SIX GENERATIONS OF CRAFTSMEN

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Hermès holds auniqueposition in the luxurymarket, whichwas valued at €262 billion in 2017(source: Bain & Company’s Global Luxury Study). The Group is therefore, relatively speaking, less exposed to general changes in the sector. Today, the Group employs 13,483 people worldwide and has 304 exclusive stores, 212 of which are directly operated. Although it has achieved 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

Harnesses

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1867

Saddles

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Around 1900

s Haut à courroies bag, designed by Émile Hermès

1903

Rocabar blanket

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1922

Belts

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1923

Two-handled bag

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1924

Gloves with zipper

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Starting in 1925

s First sports jacket, followed by the development of women’s and men’s fashions

Mallette à coins rapportés

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1927

Wristwatches

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Filet de selle bracelet

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1928

Ermeto watch

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Sac à dépêches

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1930

Diaries

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1937

First silk scarves

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1938

s Chaîne d’ancre bracelet, designed by Robert Dumas

s First garments with silk scarf patterns

2017 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT HERMÈS INTERNATIONAL

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