Hermès cultivates a british obsession: introducing the gardener's dream set
Hermès has unleashed a surprisingly delightful surprise onto the London landscape: a meticulously crafted gardening set, and it’s a statement piece unlike any other.
A touch of refinement for the green-fingered
Forget your grandfather’s rusty trowel. This isn’t about practicality; it’s about an utterly specific, almost decadent, vision of gardening, one firmly rooted in the Hermès ethos. The set – a transplanting trowel, a weeding fork, and a hand hoe – is a testament to the brand’s dedication to elevating even the most mundane tasks. The handles, wrapped in supple leather, and the brushed metalwork suggest a level of care usually reserved for haute couture.
More than just tools: a storied space
But the real intrigue lies within the newly opened 166 New Bond Street Maison. This isn't simply a store; it’s an architectural pilgrimage, a collision of French elegance and British heritage. Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, the building itself is a marvel, a tapestry woven from six historic buildings dating back to 1769. It’s a deliberate gesture, as artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas explains – “a French company trying to express what they love about British architecture and culture.”
A layered history
And the history is palpable. RDAI, the Parisian architecture agency, painstakingly preserved original mosaics and details, allowing fragments of the building’s past to remain visible. Inside, more than 550 works from the Émile Hermès Collection are strategically placed, a subtle but potent declaration of the brand’s heritage. Imagine a horse grooming parlour, rendered in exquisite crochet, embroidery, and knit – a whimsical installation by British artist Kate Jenkins – gracing the New Bond Street windows. Inside, Katie Scott’s illustrations create an almost orangerie-like atmosphere.
The details that define
The upstairs ladies’ shoe department is a study in delicate restraint, with powder pink mineral mortar and wood panelling. Meanwhile, the men’s universe boasts reclaimed oak floors and textured wallcoverings, a nod to Victorian craftsmanship. But it’s the fourth floor, a private haven, that truly captures the spirit of the Maison. This space echoes the private collection at Hermès Paris Faubourg Saint Honoré, complete with rooftop lounges and a recreation of Émile Hermès’ office – a man famously declaring, “Hermès is the most English of French brands.”
A gardener’s secret
It’s a captivating combination, a testament to Hermès’ ability to imbue even the simplest objects – a weeding fork, for instance – with an air of refined luxury. And that, perhaps, is the most surprising revelation of all: that you might actually want an Hermès transplanting trowel. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected pleasures are found in the details.