THE RISE OF HERMES | From Krefeld in Germany

The TRUE History Of #Hermès

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Intro
If you think you know everything about Hermès, think again. They’re not just the fancy handbags carried by celebrities. Sure, their Birkin bags are coveted by fashionistas worldwide, and their silk scarves are luxury pieces. But Hermès started in a completely different world, a world of harnesses and bridles.

What began as a humble Parisian saddlery workshop in 1837 has transformed into a big empire. The journey isn't a straight one. It’s a story of family, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of craftsmanship. In this video, we’ll see how Hermès not only survived but thrived through competition, economic downturns, and even a global pandemic.

What was the beginning of Hermes like? And what is it like now? Let's find out.

While at this, we must give a big shout-out to SKY IS THE LIMIT for sponsoring this video. They help us keep making great content for you. Plus, we're really grateful for their support. Let’s dive in!


The Beginning
Thierry Hermès, the brain behind Hermes, was a man from two places. Born in Krefeld, Germany, in 1801, his father hailed from France while his mother was German. Eventually, in 1828, the family set roots in France, where a young Thierry would go on to discover a talent that would forever alter the course of history.

By 1837, Hermès' passion for leatherworking blossomed. He wasn't interested in just any kind of leatherwork; his sights were set on the luxurious world of the elites. He opened a workshop to create quality pieces for the grand carriages of noblemen. His bridles and harnesses were crafted with the finest leather.

This dedication to quality didn't go unnoticed. Soon, awards started rolling in. Recognitions at the prestigious Paris exhibitions in 1855 and 1867 solidified Hermès' reputation as a master in his craft. Little did he know his workshop would go on to become the beginning of an iconic luxury brand.

When Thierry Hermès retired, his son, Charles-Émile, took over the business in 1880 and made a few key changes. He moved the shop to a new location and, with the help of his own sons, expanded the products they offered.

Saddles became part of their inventory, and they even started selling things directly to customers instead of just making custom orders.

Their products were so good that it attracted people from all over Europe, North Africa, Russia, Asia, and even America. An interesting early product they offered was the Haut à Courroies bag, which came out in 1900. This bag was a special design for riders to conveniently carry their saddles with them.

Not long after, Charles-Emile Hermès, the man who built a leather empire from a workshop, decided to take a well-deserved break. It was time for the next generation to step up, and who better than his sons, Adolphe and Emile-Maurice?


THE TAKEOVER
The two sons took over the company and renamed it "Hermès Frères" – Hermès Brothers. They didn't stop there though, Emile-Maurice, the go-getter of the two, had his eyes on a big client who was the Tsar of Russia.

He crafted saddles so luxurious and well designed that the Tsar of Russia was very pleased. Soon enough, word spread like wildfire, and Hermès Frères became the talk of the town. Business boomed, and by 1914, their workshop was full of activity with over 80 skilled saddle-makers working.

But here’s the thing: Emile-Maurice wasn't a static man. He was very relentless and always on the lookout for a new trend.

A new gadget called the zipper became viral, and Emile-Maurice saw its potential right away. He got the exclusive rights to use zippers on all sorts of leather goods and clothes in France and Hermès Frères became the first to bring this new closure to French fashion.

The zipper really took off so much so to the point that people started calling zippers “fermeture Hermès” which meant the Hermès fastener.

Moving on, the 1920s were a load of creativity for Emile-Maurice. Now the sole leader, he wasn't content with just saddles and fancy zippers. He dreamt of transforming Hermès from a saddler to a full lifestyle brand. He launched lines of accessories and clothing, each piece with the same quality and craftsmanship that made their name famous. But all these ideas wouldn't have been possible without Emile-Maurice's wife.

One day, she vented her frustration about the lack of stylish and functional handbags. As a loving husband that Emile-Maurice was, he didn't just listen to her, he took action. He decided to get busy and designed a collection of leather handbags himself. And just like that, from a simple request, a new chapter in the Hermès story started. He opened a big shop in America.

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