La Maison d’Hermès opens a new Temple of Luxury in Milan

With a private and impeccable event the French Luxury Maison Hermès opened the doors of its new Milan flagship store on Via Montenapoleone 12, Milan’s fashion “quadrilatero”.   The Neoclassical palace was dressed up in the famous “giallo ambrosiano” the characteristic yellow color of the city and the exhibition of Pégase d’Hermès, on display in the city’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The Pegase of Hermes on display at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, artwork by Christian Renonciat, celebrates the opening of the new store

The choice of Pégase statue it was inspired by the bronze sculpture ‘Eloge du Cheval’, which was also built by Renonciat for the famous Ecole National d’Equitation in Samur, France. Made of beautiful handcrafted wood, the wings represent the free spirit of Hermès.

The infamous "Kelly" bag is one of the best seller items, named after Grace Kelly, the bag made fashion history in 1956 when the Princess of Monaco attempted to protect her pregnancy from the paparazzi.
The infamous “Kelly” bag is one of the best seller items of the Maison, named after Grace Kelly.
Grace Kelly and her Hermes bag during her pregnant days
The Kelly bag made fashion history in 1956 when the Princess of Monaco attempted to hide and protect her pregnancy from the paparazzi.
The Birkin bag pictured here in furious red is more flexible than the Kelly and can remain easily open at the top.  The Birkin has two handles when the Kelly has only one handle.
The Birkin bag, created after Jane Birkin, the haute-hip English born but a long term resident of France is more flexible than the Kelly and can remain easily open at the top. The Birkin has two handles when the Kelly has only one handle.

Older than Louis Vuitton as a brand, Hermes is the epitome of elegance and style.  An Institution in the “savoir fare” (know how to).  In 1837 Hermes was already the leader in saddle horse making, requested by Royal Houses.  Today; from the hands of the same family, the tradition continues, evolving in smaller accessories and luxury objects of desire, the must have: bags, foulards, belts, etc.

The Hermes, horse and chariot logo.  The Maison was created by Thierry Hermes (1801-1878)
The Hermes, horse and chariot logo. The Maison was created by Thierry Hermes (1801-1878)
Enamel bracelets House of Hermes artistic vision.  Detail from the Great Odalisque by Ingress, 1814.
Enamel bracelets. Maison d’Hermes artistic vision. Detail from the Great Odalisque by Ingres, 1814 (oil on canvas) at The Louvre, Paris.
The iconic Hermes belt
The iconic Hermes belt
"The Carre" made under the Lyonese school of twill silk making.
“The Carre” made under the Lyonese old school of twill silk making. The Hermes scarf is a style icon, worn by Royalty and celebrities, coveted and admired, is not only a square of silk but a stuff of legend.
And for those avid fashion readers I recommend this book by Nadine Cole.  Since the first scarf made in 1937, the House of Hermes has produced more than two thousand different designs.
And for those avid fashion readers I recommend this book by Nadine Cole. Since the first scarf made in 1937, the House of Hermes has produced more than two thousand different designs

(c) 2013 Montserrat Franco