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Hermès Festival Des Métiers

22 comments
Toronto has been very busy lately with many major Exhibitions coming from London, England. Last October 2nd to the 6th, we were honoured to have the Hermes Festival Des Metiers at the Design Exchange. The Festival featured the expert Craftsmen from Hermès with demonstrations showcasing their tradition in producing their luxury leather products, Jewellery, Porcelain and Fashion Accessories especially their famous scarf. The whole Exhibition was for Free and was presented in French. Luckily there were translators standing beside the Craftsmen explaining in English. I learnt so much from this Exhibition and saw first hand how the Hermès products were created. I also understand now the whole design process, the creation process and lastly how Hermès maintains their highest quality. I also now understand why their products are so expensive. Everything is handmade and created exquisitely. These craftsmen learnt their skills from a long tradition and history of creating these products. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. With Hermès, if you are lucky enough to afford it or receive it as a gift, it is a treasure to be cherished forever and passed on to the next generation.
Hermès was established in 1837 as a French manufacturer of leather Saddles then expanded to luxury leather goods, lifestyle accessories, Perfumery, Jewellery, Furniture, Home wares and Ready to Wear.

Here is the famous Hermès Saddle with demonstration from their Master Saddle Craftsman using the finest leather.
Creating the famous Birkin Bag in their trademark  Hermès Orange.
I am not really an Orange person, but if I will have an Orange bag, I do not mind carrying the Hermès Birkin anytime.
As you know, the Birkin or the Kelly bag takes at least one year to produce depending on the leather material, hardware and colour that you choose. For popular colours like Black, Brown and Red, it could take up to 48 months to create. As you can see, every inch of the bag is hand stitch using their thread that was rubbed with beeswax to make it sturdy and waterproof. One craftsman or woman is responsible for the creation of the Bag from start to finish.
Above are the leather materials and threads used in the creation of these Bags.
The Kelly was named after American Actress, Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco.
The Glove maker with different colours of leather in the creation of the Hermès gloves.
See how big the scissors they use.

Children clothing by Hermès.
Even the Hermès Ties are handmade. 
Monsieur Watchmaker demonstrating the creation of the Hermès watch.

Madame Porcelain Maker. 
Her translator is standing beside here wearing the Hermès silk scarf so fashionably on her waist.
Madame explained that every Hermès porcelain, like this Ashtray, is created using a lavender liquid spirit so that paint will take longer to dry. Then they use a  platinum liquid  worth 2,000 Euros per bottle as she  showed here, to paint the borders. No wonder this section smelled of lavender and no wonder these Hermes porcelains are so expensive.They are painted with lavender and expensive Platinum liquid. I would love to receive this as a gift!!!! Hint! Hint!

During the Festival, there were visitiors who arrived wearing their Hermès scarves. Then Monsieur here excitedly and expertly identified the scarves that were presented to him.  I am always fascinated by these experts from the French Luxury  Houses because they really know the creation, name, the designer and history of their products with just one look. It was fascinating to see the glee on their faces when see their products being presented to them by their owners because it was like seeing their long lost child. This scarf is a really old Hermes scarf  created after 1937 to 1950s.
Hermes started creating silk scarves in 1937 in Lyon, France. The scarves are still created in Lyon using the finest silk and using their different colour dyes here. For the budding artist out there, you can submit your design drawing to Hermès, who knows it could be the next Hermès silk scarf.
The demonstration showing the long traditional and precise process of creating a Hermes silk scarf.
To read more about Crafted Luxury: Hermes Festival Des Metiers.


May you all have an inspiring weekend!

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22 comments

  1. I would have loved to see this exhibition and learn more about Hermes. You're so lucky to have seen it.

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  2. Hi Pamela! Must have been an amazing exhibit, would have love to see it too, especially to learn more about the brand, from always one of my fav, and how the stuff is created. The scarvesand the Birkin are onto my wishlist from ages:) Happy weekend dear, hugs! xo

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  3. We always just see a finished product in stores, but most of us don't realise what goes into making that item, so this must have been truly wonderful and enlightening experience. Would love to attend too. Hope you're having a lovely weekend darling!

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  4. Great post Pamela. I see you were able to get closer to the printmaking than I was! Lucky you:)

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  5. This looks amazing! How interesting this must have been to see in person! Lucky lucky you !! Thank you for the informative post and lovely photos too!!

    www.nycstylelittlecannoli.com

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  6. Fantastic blog post Pamela, you captured the exhibition beautifully. It was fascinating to see the scarves being printed as I missed the slot for watching the printmakers at the Saatchi Gallery because I was too busy with the watchmaker. Wonderful! I hope you are having an incredible weekend. Paul :)

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  7. I've wanted a Birkin bag my entire adult life. Maybe some day.....

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  8. It's beautiful to see that crafts exist in an old manner with paying attention to the details and precision. Interesting post!

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  9. Pamela, you guys have been getting some AMAZING exhibitions! I wish they would filter down here. LOL So happy you are showcasing them. The process of making a HERMES scarf is so tedious and meticulous. Same for the handbags and leather goods. It's mind-boggling how they make them. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  10. This is very interesting exhibition!! Thanks for showing such wonderful things to us!
    kisses)

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  11. gorgeous photos dear, love the scarfs !!!
    xoxo

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  12. Such a great exhibition. Makes me want an Hermes birkin or kelly bag even more!! One day...

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  13. Nice to see how they make it or the craftsmanship of hermes history that is evident in every bag, watch, scarf! Very lovely informative post!

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  14. You certainly seem to get some wonderful exhibitions in your part of the world and I was sorry to have missed this when it was in London. So pleased that you showed us these fascinating pictures - such amazing workmanship.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  15. Wow! Would actually love to see this in person! Thanks for the mini-education on Hermes

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  16. Wow, I would have loved to be there! Hermès products are just legendary!
    xx

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  17. Stopping by to say Hi and have a great Friday!

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  18. Very interesting and amazing! Thanks for sharing!
    kisses)

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  19. Very interesting! Orange is not a great color for me, but like you, I'd make an exception for a Kelly. :)

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  20. I went to a luncheon awhile back at Hermes and they gave a lecture on their scarf screening and how to wear them--their stuff is just heavenly!

    xo Mary Jo

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  21. Very interesting, really enjoyed reading it!

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I enjoy reading your wonderful comments. Thank you for visiting here.

Pamela lives in Toronto, Canada, currently working in Banking in the field of Credit and Finance. The Chic Delights blog has evolved into an on-line magazine about my experiences and inspirations on style, travel, people, lifestyle and current events. My features are not sponsored posts. The photographs and stories featured here are all from my own resources and experiences. [Pamela RG] (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-43Wqs-SmwEU/UggtnO60INI/AAAAAAAAQw0/HZa9oGRC8Bc/w200-h200-no/DSCN0550.jpg)