If you ask a luxury designer enthusiast to name the absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship, Hermès is always top of mind. We all know and love the iconic French house for their exquisite leather bags, but did you know they have just opened an extraordinary new flagship store in the UK?
Grab a cup of tea and read all about it!
Photo: Instagram @theperfectmagazine
A Historic Village of Luxury
Hermès has just opened its largest London Maison at 166 New Bond Street, and it is simply spectacular. Spanning six historic Georgian buildings, this massive 2,000-square-metre space is essentially a luxurious village. With 55 uniquely designed rooms spread across five floors, it brings together all 16 of the brand's métiers under one stunning roof.
The CEO of Hermès noted that his grandfather always referred to Hermès as "the most British of French brands". To honour this, the Paris-based architecture agency RDAI leant into British eccentricity, mixing classicism with modern imperfections. Imagine walking on perfectly restored 19th-century mosaic floors, discovering a yellow staircase that was once painted purple, or wandering into an imaginary orangerie filled with gorgeous botanical wallpaper by London illustrator Katie Scott. Fashion is art, and this store proves it, featuring over 550 artworks from the Émile Hermès Collection to bring spirit and life to the space.
Photo: 10magazine.com
Quirky Details and Exclusive Delights
Pop culture, local heritage, and high fashion all collide beautifully here. Hermès even handed over their window displays to British artist Kate Jenkins, who created an eccentric equestrian grooming parlour entirely from crochet and knit! And if that wasn't unique enough, the brand launched an exclusive set of gardening tools—including a weeding fork and hand hoe—complete with luxurious leather-wrapped handles. Gardening, but make it high-end fashion!
Photo: houseandgarden.co.uk
The Art of Vintage Designer Bags
But what is the absolute highlight for us vintage lovers?
The dedicated repair studio on the third floor. Here, the "queen of repairs," Alexandra Cappe, works her magic whilst enjoying exquisite views down Bond Street. Last year alone, she repaired 700 bags, mostly iconic models like Birkins, Kellys, and Constances! She noted that London is brilliant for her work because so many people own wonderful vintage bags. This dedication to restoration perfectly reinforces the house's commitment to longevity and craftsmanship.
As the brand's CEO laughed, people have to be very patient and wait quite a while for new bags because Hermès is "very slow" and puts a lot of heart into everything. Luckily for you, you don't have to wait years for your dream bag!
Photo: 10magazine.com
Whether spotted in the hands of celebrities or stealing the spotlight on our social feeds, a vintage Hermès is a tiny treasure that lasts a lifetime. Shop our stunning collections of authentic vintage designer pieces, from the Hermès Kelly to the Evelyne, right here at l'Étoile de Saint Honoré.
Xoxo,
Team Étoile
Sources:
Instagram @Theperfectmagazine
www.hermes.com
www.galeriemagazine.com
harpersbazaar.com.sg
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