English Version | A family affair

Leather, a material synonymous with the history of Hermès, is the guardian of an ancestral past. A past that is still present at the Maison, where the savoir-faire is preserved as a family tradition.

With time, eventually, everything changes. But in a world commanded by constant metamorphosis, it is good to know that there are exceptions to the rule. Things that, regardless of the passage of time, remain constant. Such is the case of the Hermès family tradition of quality, which has been preserved since 1837. preserved since 1837. For six generations, the Maison has set a standard that is idiosyncratic to it, unique even in the luxury market. This is not a happy coincidence, it is the result of the philosophy that permeates the French brand, one that places the values of family and sharing above all others. The brand's approach remains constant: "we give what we get," an ideology that, over nearly two centuries, has placed the sharing of knowledge at its core. A Hermès object is not just an object, it is a reflection of more than 185 years of work.Of all the materials used by the brand to produce clothing and accessories, leather is in an unreachable pantheon - as one of the first materials used by mankind to protect itself from a hostile world, leather anchors the memory of its past, a past that is inseparable from the Hermès name. The special relationship between the Maison and this material is understood by the ideology of the French brand. Leather arrives at Hermès intact and is treated with respect from the moment it begins to be handled. Even if it goes through different processes that, to an unaware person, are pure alchemy, the identity of each skin is preserved. It is due to this reverence that each piece is as unique as a person, full of nuances that only an organic material makes possible. A piece made by the craftsmen of Hermès is first and foremost a work of art. Since its beginnings, Maison has understood the importance of know-how as the determinant of quality. The only way to ensure the transmission of this indispensable knowledge is to create a culture where it flows naturally. Hermès leather products are produced exclusively in France, by communities of local craftsmen who work together as a team - as a family. It is only through this philosophy that the consistent quality of Maison's production team is understood: Hermès is not a company, it is a house on the roof which houses a group of artists. From engineers to craftsmen, designers to goldsmiths, they are all part of the realization of each piece. Eternally concerned with the quality of their products, the people behind each piece are the guarantee of their quality.

Although Hermès is steadfast in its values and quality standards, it never stands still in time. While respecting the very organic nature of the material that has become synonymous with its name, the Maison makes room for the innovation that only creative freedom allows. The innovations introduced may be small - a change of color, a new pattern, or a new type of clasp - but over nearly two centuries, they demonstrate the endless search for perfection. This attention to detail, unique to brands with a long legacy like Hermès, stems from a past where the buyer was not just the catalyst for a monetary transaction, but rather an individual who, by owning a Hermès piece, became part of an imperishable legacy. In this sense, Maison has never strayed from its purpose: to create products that are the materialization of its customers' dreams. The exclusivity of the brand's goods cannot be interpreted as a victim of the current hype culture. Hermès' luxury has been a predecessor of the term for centuries. The appeal of its products has always been the way it adapted to its new owners, their wants, and needs. From Russian czars to British aristocrats, attention to the customer has always been what separated Hermès luxury from its other competitors. In this sense customization remains an important component in the production of the brand's leather goods - the customer is not just the final stage in the creative process of a piece, but part of the team behind its creation. Creative input from customers is, in fact, part of how Maison understands its constant progress. With the most varied ideas, from macaron-shaped wallets to diamond-adorned pieces, the imagination of Hermès customers constantly expands the notion of what the Maison is capable of.

It is respect for the customer, the material, and the group of artisans that make up each Hermès piece. Its pieces are made to last, to accompany their owners as they go through different stages of their lives. This approach, while ancient, is paradoxically refreshing in a world where even luxury goods are produced as if they were disposable, useful only until the end of the season. Hermès' philosophy clashes with the conduct of the current market, producing pieces that are thought to flourish as they age. Time, as well as the affection of its owners, is interpreted by the Maison as part of the production process of a wallet, which is seen as a living being: it is supposed to develop its wrinkles with the passing of the years, and that is what makes it unique and, at the same time, beautiful. This philosophy is demonstrated by its Hermès repair service, implemented since the brand's conception. A Kelly, a Birkin, and a Verrou are not just luxury purses, they are symbols of the philosophy that underlies the development of every Hermès piece. An ideology that places the family perspective above all others and which, in a world characterized by change, remains unchanged.

Translated from the original on "The Velvet Touch" issue of Vogue Portugal, published December 2022.Full stories and credits on the print issue.