There’s luxury fashion, and then there’s Hermès. Sure, the luxury house has a coveted spot every season on the Paris Fashion Week schedule, but there’s something so imperial about its collections that lands itself on a pedestal above its most formidable peers. We won’t name names, but we’ve always admired Hermès for never trying too hard. It’s plain and simple: quintessential classicism, pieces that explain themselves when you see them, touch them, wear them. Even better if you get to bring those pieces home.
That being said, quintessential classicism doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive from a sense of humour. No doubt, it’s an acquired sense of humour perhaps only those who can afford Hermès have. Nonetheless, it’s important for a mega-brand built on equestrian-wear and artisanal craftsmanship to then NOT develop boring product. In fact, its design aesthetic is as far from boring as one might imagine. We can always find an occasion to wear something we like, so we reckon its latest collection is perfect for paying a visit to a five-star-and-beyond hotel gym for five minutes, then detouring to the hotel bar for happy hour.
Women’s Accessories
What’s a Spring-Summer collection without a pop of colour? Or in the case of this Hermès lineup, pops of colour. For a French brand Hermès would be considered colourful, even though in our playbook its mischievous mishmash of warm tones and cool hues is just part of the dress-up game. In that way, every Hermès accessory becomes statement, something to enhance an everyday chambray button-up and high-waisted jeans.
These block heels are an eye-catcher and sole-pleaser, their interesting cut-outs and straps pushing the limits of conservative elegance. No one can get over a good straw hat, particularly one with a silk scarf around it. Best worn if you’re by the beach reading a novel, one of those which cover has a scantily clad goddess hugging a shirtless hunk in front of a sunset. We’re also digging this colourful separable wrap bracelet, so you can to its length as much as you want.
Women’s Bags and Small Leather Goods
Speaking of shirtless hunks, there’re admittedly a few things that can make us smile more than seeing one, and a good bag is definitely one of them. The Kelly of the season looks like an homage to the Birds-of-Paradise. American designer Bill Blass once said, “When it doubt, wear red.” This Kelly suggests otherwise, blood orange is the way to go. The Birkin resembles this heritage Ang Mo Kio “Dragon” playground, so getting one would be an act of patriotism-driven fashion? If not, these charms will certainly spruce up any bag. Shaped like letters from the alphabet and balls from popular sports games, they’re certainly icons of childhood interpreted as garnishing to our delicious Hermès hand-carries.
Scarves
Scarves are not just scarves when they’re Hermès scarves. It’s a funny thought wearing any one of these over your shoulders when visiting a museum, because in many ways the scarf might be more valuable than even the most historic artefacts. That’s why so many owners would rather frame them in their house than actually wear them, because each are visual intriguers in their own right. We especially love the seemingly farfetched themes the artwork are drawn from, we travel from an arcade game to a tropic cabana and then an Indian palace. What ties them together, however, is the effervescent feeling they evoke when we look at them.
Men’s Accessories
What’s great about Hermès is that despite its impressive womenswear, its menswear never falls in a shadow behind it. The softball top-handle and basketball backpack are a perfect combination of kitsch and masculinity. Either would look great with the multi-colour denim loafers stitched so it looks fresh even though it’s distressed. A leopard never changes its spots, much like an Hermès customer will always return to its products, to eye this leopard tote for example — they’re so well made, with designs that are at first glance art-project but in reality, ageless.
Homeware and Accessories
Of course, Hermès isn’t just restricted to your wardrobe, it is also a lifestyle. These aren’t household necessities like a fridge or TV set. Instead, they’re little gizmos to spruce up your mood. The geometrically coloured tray would make such a cute transport system carrying coffee from the kitchen counter to the living room table. Or how about a deep green and bright yellow foosball table set, although being made with such exquisite skill we’re not sure it’s a game we’re comfortable letting the young ones near. An Hermès Apple Watch will also certainly do the trick of being both useful and aesthetically pleasing, if the Apple Watch commercials on YouTube haven’t already convinced you to get one yourself.
The latest Hermès collection is available in all Singapore boutiques now till mid-July.
You must be logged in to post a comment.