In 1837, Thierry Hermès founded the famous French company that bears his name, marking the beginning of a true family saga that quickly expanded internationally. Originally specializing in saddle-making, the house distinguished itself by introducing a new style and focusing on showcasing high-quality leather. The Hermès lineage skillfully managed to preserve the brand’s equestrian tradition across generations while diversifying its products in a modern way. Indeed, the company’s design expertise quickly expanded to leather goods, ready-to-wear fashion, home decor, watches, and jewelry.

The 20th century was a period of diversification for Hermès. In the early 1900s, they decided to branch out into other leather products, including bags, belts, and gloves. In 1935, Hermès invented a women’s handbag known worldwide as the Kelly bag. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the bag received this name, after Grace Kelly was seen stepping off a plane holding her bag against her stomach to conceal the early stages of her pregnancy. Two years later, in 1937, Hermès launched its famous silk scarves, which were a resounding success, especially among public figures of the time. Hermès continued to grow; in 1951, the luxury brand entered the world of perfumery with the launch of "Eau d'Hermès."

Later, in 1978, Hermès ventured into women’s ready-to-wear under the direction of Martin Margiela, followed by Jean-Paul Gaultier in the 2000s. In the 1980s, Hermès created the Birkin bag, named after Jane Birkin. As a young mother at the time, she complained about not being able to find a bag large enough to carry all the essentials for her baby while still being elegant. Hermès took on the challenge, and without really intending to, the brand created an iconic bag that quickly became one of its most famous products.

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