Born in Germany, Thierry Hermes and his family settled in France in 1828. He founded Hermes in 1837, it was then a high-end upholstery. In 1867, he received a silver medal for his harness at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. In 1878, the death of his father, Charles-Emile who took over the company installs 24, rue du Faubourg Saint Honore. It diversifies the supply with the help of his son, Adolphe and Émile-Maurice.
Émile Hermès, the small-son of the founder has greatly developed the brand, always drawing the equestrian world. He takes control of Hermès in the 1920s. After his trip to Russia, it is the first to introduce the zipper in France. During this period he also created the first Hermes handbag, the bag strap top. It is a bag big enough to hold the equipment of a knight!
In 1929, Hermès presents the first Women’s collection. Then in 1927 Émile Hermès invented the bracelet net saddle leather and silver which is a miniature of the net jaw. Three years later, Hermes jewelry are included in the range of the brand. It also creates the first watch in 1912 for his daughter Jacqueline, who was only nine years old, although officially the first is the watch Ermeto created in 1928.
In the 1930’s a resurgence with the creation of the Hermes bag, mail (1935). It was renamed the Kelly bag in 1956 when he was seen on the arm of Princess Grace of Monaco. Then in 1937, the birth of Hermes square.
Since 1951, Hermes was also launched in perfumes for men and women successfully: Kelly Caleche, Water Wonderland, Amazon, Terre d’Hermes, A garden on the Nile, Eau d’Hermes and Hermessence for example.
Jean Paul Gaultier in which Hermes has invested in 1999 becomes in 2004 the creative director of ready-to-wear, taking over from Martin Margiela.