They say a picture says more than a thousand words…. The Dandy does hope so, as he has practically no time to write today!
The only thing that must be said is “it was a splendid day”.
Thank you to Hermes and most especially the charming, patient and apparently implacable Craftspeople of The House.
Oh and if you are in London Town over the weekend find out how you can Rendez Vous with Hermes too.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy.
The Perfumed Dandy. 
Those are great photos! It looks like it was a very interesting day. I love the floor.
Dearest Lily
It seems like an odd thing to say, but I am entirely with you… isn’t that floor just wonderful!?!
As were the arches of ribbon, leather and steel that swirled above our heads.
Though undoubtedly the stars of the show were the craftspeople themselves, remaining unbelievably calm and collected amid the hubbub around them. Answering questions with a sense of quiet pride and simply carrying on with their work.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Beam me over one of those Birkin bags!
Dearest Tomate
Can you imagine the temptation to bag a bag or indeed any off the wonderful goodies on show!?! But, of course, The Dandy is a decent and honest sort of fellow and would never do such a thing… and besides there were security guards a plenty to keep eager little hands at bay!!
Yours ever
The Purfumed Dandy
Such exquisite scarves (luv the tiger-decorated dishes too)! But my eyes are constantly drawn to the picture of the Native American woman – a portrait of strength and serenity …
Dear Elvin Friend
The scarves were just beautiful… and there were so many of them that we were free to touch and examine at leisure.
You might notice that the staff all have their own scarves (gentlemen too) that they either wore with pride or had near them at all times, gifts from the company.
Now, I must tell you that the woman who paints the plates (trinket dishes to be precise) is one of only three people responsible for all the company’s hand painting onto porcelain!
The process uses twelve inks and six requires six firings and the astonishing price of around 1300 Euros is explained by the platinum paint used to paint the frieze which alone takes 3 to 4 hours!
As for the artists, their work in negative and then in colour all on transparencies was truly inspirational.
So many stories to tell from this encounter!!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
What a treat! Thank you for brightening my morning. ❤
Dear Brigit
It’s The Dandy’s very pleasure. I do hope that this living exhibition makes it was to somewhere near you (it’s going to Germany quite soon) as I’m sure you would adore it!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Dear Mr Dandy
What wonderful photos! the colours from the scarves just burst out of the photo like an overdose of Geraniums (no bad thing). That’s fascinating about the plates. They are making some very expensive future antiques!
Your friend
IScent
Dearest Iscent
The very lovely lady who paints the plates described them as ‘hyper cher’, with which there can be no arguing!!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Great photos! I think of Hermes as traditional, but those designs are quite far out!
Dearest Rose
Quite so, this event was a really eye opener for anyone who might consider this house to be conservative (with a small ‘c’).
Hermes is replete with craftspeople and artists and they seem to be afforded the time and the creative environment necessary for them to develop their ideas into wonderful pieces across a number of media.
It was a real pleasure to meet with them.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Dear Mr. Dandy,
Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely experience through photography. It certainly augmented my admiration for the House. : )
Dear Ojaddicte
Mine also.
I have always admired Hermes perfumes, as my reviews of the last few days attest and respected their work in leather goods and heritage in equipage.
But the passion and creativity that seems to suffuse the House and its people came as a truly refreshing and invigorating surprise.
Long may Hermes continue to be a beacon for true quality in a world where there is so much of the counterfeit variety.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Had to come back and tell everyone: there is a fascinating article in Thursday’s (yesterday’s) Wall Street Journal’s Personal Journal section on the designers of the Hermes scarf motifs and the production of the scarves. I really enjoyed it. Check it out if you can.
Dearest Lily
Thank you so much for this pointer… I will download onto ‘the device’ and it will form part of a welcome alternative for what goes by the name of ‘in flight entertainment’.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy