Design houses delve into the past for inspiration

While trends may come and go in the world of fashion, reinterpretation is a constant that design houses from Gucci to Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Cartier strive for.

French design house Hermes is constantly reinventing itself by looking at the past. Its designers reinterpret items in its archives, and in the process create something new.

One example is its jewellery division that pays homage to previous designs used throughout Hermes' history.

A standout piece is called Collier de chien or dog collar, a bracelet in rose gold and brown diamonds. It harks back to Emile Herm?s' collection of hunting-dog collars that were inspired by the design of a Hermes belt.

Pierre Hardy, art director of Hermes jewellery, explains the design is 'an allusion to the Hermes saddle tack, which is found on the Collier de chien bracelets in particular. I also emphasised rose gold and brown diamond paving. The relationship between the colour of the diamonds and the skin is stunning, magical. These pieces add a touch of sparkle. They highlight a specific part of the body.'

Another interpretation is the Kelly bag made famous by Princess Grace of Monaco. Hermes has created a bracelet in brightly coloured crocodile with white gold and diamonds on its iconic clasp. The Kelly clasp can also be found on delicate bracelets of yellow or rose gold, and white gold set with diamonds.

The house, known for its equestrian roots, has also reinterpreted the snaffle-bit design. In its bracelet called Nausicaa, the bracelet in white gold and diamonds has a smoked Clou d'H quartz, an exclusive cut created by Hardy.