5 things you didn’t know about Hermès’ leather
The maison’s leather goods require meticulous saddle-stitching, and only leather of the highest quality is used
Leather is at the heart of Hermès’ priced offerings, from the sought-after Birkin handbags to luggage and saddles. STYLE takes a look at the secrets of Hermes’ leather – the heritage, treatment and craftsmanship, and finds out what makes it so special.
Rich heritage
When founder Thierry Hermès established his practice in 1837, it was a harness-making firm, supplying top-notch saddles to the rich and famous, aristocrats and statesmen. When Emile-Charles Hermès took over, he extended the saddle-making business and used leather and exotic skins to create not only saddles but also trunks, bags and gloves and more.
A work of art
Honouring the maison’s heritage, Hermès craftsmen continued to use saddle-stitching techniques in leather travel goods. Saddle-stitching – the technique that is been extensively used in the making of harnesses and saddles – requires sewing with visible stitches using two needles simultaneously and a strong knotted stitch. The edges of the fine Hermès leather goods are also painstakingly polished.
Exclusive supply
Hermès owns a few tanneries across the globe to secure high-quality leather supply. One of them is d’Annonay tannery which it acquired in 2013. Hermès’ leather goods now include its leather handbags such as the much sought-after Birkins, and luggage, appointment diaries, shoes, gloves, belts and, last but not least, saddlery.
