Hermès – Refined Elegance

The origins of the prestigious Hermès fashion house date back to 1837, when Thierry Hermès opened his first equestrian accessories store. Customers valued them for their craftsmanship and innovative technical solutions. Hermès products were appreciated by representatives of the aristocracy, one of the customers was the Russian tsar, Alexander II. Over time, Hermès began to expansion on foreign markets. 

A turning point in the company's development was the use of a zipper in leather products. The first zipper jacket was created in 1918. In the 1920s, the company expanded its offer to include a clothing collection. In 1935, Hermès designed the iconic women's leather handbag called 'Kelly Bag,' named after the company's famous client, the Duchess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. The famous Hermès neckerchiefs and scarves were appreciated by such figures, as, among others, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, and Her Majesty Elizabeth II. 

The Collier de Chien bracelet, which will be included in the offer of the April jewelry auction, is another flagship item of the luxury Parisian brand Hermès. The name of this unique ornament literally means 'dog collar.' It has a very interesting history. In 1923, a customer asked Hermès to design a collar for his bulldog. He created a design decorated with characteristic four-faceted studs in the shape of pyramids and a circle for a leash. This custom-made dog collar caused a sensation among other dog owners who wanted a similar one for their pets. Over time, it gained more and more popularity, and, as a result, the model was adapted into a women's belt, which the company officially started producing in 1927. The popularity of the Collier de Chien project eventually inspired Hermès to introduce bracelets in 1949 with the same pattern as we know them today. Currently, the model of the famous bracelet is an inspiration for modern Hermès designers.