Footsteps across the world collection
Hermès endeavours to create objects that withstand the test of time and to forge lasting connections with the surrounding world. Film and documentary maker Frédéric Laffont, winner of the Albert Londres award, brings his humanistic perspective to bear as he walks in the house’s footsteps and gives free rein to his camera.
With curiosity awakened, we navigate between stories and portraits, carried along by gestures and places, and taking discovery to the ends of the earth…
Our relationship with sustainable development shines through this Footsteps across the World collection.
Villaines-les-Rochers, France
A willow with light foliage, petite grisette is the lace-making thread of basket-weavers. Its fine but strong withies lend themselves to the most delicate of weaves. The art of wickerwork has been practiced since the 7th century in Villaines-les-Rochers, an ancient troglodyte village in Touraine, and is perpetuated by the fifty or so wickerworkers and basket-makers in the local wickerwork cooperative. Hermès, which has been partner of this structure created in 1849 for over forty years, has strengthened its commitment over time, in a spirit of constantly renewed creativity. From objects for the home, the collaboration has extended to incorporate bags and fashion accessories. The marriage of wicker and leather, a source of creation and innovation for the house, has given new impetus and prospects to these activities, which are firmly rooted in the Touraine region. By promoting these exceptional skills, new vocations are inspired and the craft lives on.
Seoul, Korea
Park Myung Bae creates traditional furniture in wood that he allows to rest for seven years before crafting it. Sohn Dae Hyun applies the ancient art of lacquering to a diverse range of materials. Park Moon Yeol chisels ornamentation into metal pieces such as locks and padlocks. Park Sung Kyu participates to the conservation of the leather lacquering technique.
These artisans, all custodians of the excellence of contemporary Korean craftsmanship, were chosen to rekindle know-how that existed under the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897). The Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and support traditional Korean culture, entrusted them with the painstaking task of recreating objects that furnished the palaces of Seoul. A long and meticulous period of research in museums, seeking out treasures from the past and forgotten techniques, allowed them to reproduce copies of these precious repositories of Korean culture. This project represents an important stage in the “One Protector for One Cultural Heritage” program developed with the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, which has been supported since 2015 by Hermès, a house that particularly values the safeguarding and transmission of artisanal know-how.
La Canourgue, France
Riding Phébus, Navarro or Ursula, at a horse’s walking pace, which is close to that of a human, the patients that come to the Equiphoria hippotherapy institute in Lozère are able to regain awareness of their body and feel the benefit in their movements. Aiding the work of this institute, supported by Hermès since 2013, required designing a saddle that would not hinder interactions between the horse and the patient. Hermès’ saddlers put their know-how to work for the foundation’s teams of doctors and therapists by creating an innovative “sheet of leather”. Composed of a light and comfortable carbon saddle-tree, foam seat and felt base, this saddle illustrates Hermès’ deep understanding and love of horses, the fruit of a partnership dating back to the house’s origins.
Leather workshops at Fitilieu and Val-de-Reuil, France
Florists, jewellers, butchers, young graduates, job seekers, etc.: the identity and experience of those who join the Hermès leatherworking schools is not important. First and foremost, training coordinators like Gabrielle and Christophe build on the dexterity and capacity for learning of these students with unusual career paths, who are recruited through the Pôle Emploi agencies in the regions in which the French manufacturing facilities are established. Acquiring the know-how and qualities of a Hermès artisan – meticulousness, precision, attention to quality, perseverance, etc. – goes far beyond a simple exercise. Behind the gesture, a posture and an attitude give the work meaning and constitute a promise of pride for the future artisans.