Hermès

Founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, Hermès began as a harness and saddlery workshop before expanding into ready-to-wear, silk, jewellery and perfume. The house has remained family-run throughout much of its history, with craftsmanship and traditional workshop production at the centre of the brand. Two of the most recognisable Hermès designs are the Kelly and Birkin bags. The Kelly was named after Grace Kelly, who was famously photographed carrying the bag in 1956, while the Birkin was created for Jane Birkin in 1984. Hermès Birkin bags are still made by individual artisans, with one craftsperson responsible for each bag from start to finish. Hermès womenswear has had a less designer-led history than many other major fashion houses. During the 1980s and 1990s, the collections were overseen by fashion director Claude Brouet and produced by a design studio that included Tomas Maier and Marc Audibet. Martin Margiela was appointed artistic director of womenswear in 1997, followed by Jean Paul Gaultier from 2003 to 2010 and Christophe Lemaire from 2010 to 2014. Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski took over in 2014 and remains artistic director of Hermès womenswear. Despite these changes in creative direction, Hermès has remained closely associated with exceptional materials, craftsmanship and understated design. This consistency is one of the reasons vintage and archival Hermès clothing, bags and accessories remain particularly sought after by collectors.