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Hermes Wins the Luxist Awards' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Accessories

Filed under: Apparel

Hermès, the Paris-based fashion house known for its designs that evoke refined elegance, is the winner of the Luxist Awards' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Accessories.

What is better in life than receiving a gift presented in Hermès' iconic orange box with that lovely brown ribbon wrapped tightly around it? The only thing that is better than its signature packaging is the gorgeous Hermès handbag, wallet, watch, belt, scarf or tie that might happen to be hidden inside.

Hermès is the epitome of true luxury. Each and every one of its products are made extraordinarily well, with the best of design and highest of craftsmanship. The company, which has roots as a maker of equestrian equipment, carefully guards its brand. Hermès never discounts the prices of the merchandise offered at its boutiques and maintains strict control over its brand and image.

Gallery: More from Hermes

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The Fashion Statement: Who is Christophe Lemaire?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, The Fashion Statement

If you don't know who Christophe Lemaire is, you're not alone. Last week, French couturier Hermès made the announcement that by fall of next year, creative director Jean-Paul Gaultier will be out and Christophe Lemaire will be in. See my colleague Deidre Woollard's post.

So who is Christophe Lemaire? Even people in fashion industry, who tend to be aware of any and all up-and-comers, were scratching their heads. Sure, Lemaire has been at Lacoste for the last decade and breathed new life into the brand. And, yes, he's had his own line since 1991. But haute couture houses at the level of Hermès is usually the stomping ground of well-established and well-known designers. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, to name a few. Surely, Michelle Obama's inauguration gown designer Jason Wu has gotten more ink of late.

Which is why we're all the more intrigued by this choice. "I think the appointment of Christophe is very ambitious," Hermès' general artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas told The New York Times. "Maybe in five years I will look back and think it was a terrible mistake-or a wonderful surprise. I like that. I think we need that. Hermès is really born out of movement. It's not that we were avoiding a famous name. What comes first now is talent."

Tags: Christophe Lemaire, Hermes, jean paul gaultier, Kelly bag, Pierre-Alexis Dumas

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Hermes: Classic and Coveted

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Shoes

A Readers' Choice nominee in the Best Leather Goods Category, Hermes has come a long way since its inception nearly two centuries ago. The company was founded by a Frenchman named Thierry Hermes in 1837 as a maker of harnesses and bridles. Since then, it has grown into one of the world's most sought-after luxury brands; customers have ranged from Humphrey Bogart to Paris Hilton.

Hermes is known for leather goods like the Kelly bag and Constance bag, favored by actress Grace Kelly and former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Like all Hermes products, these bags are made by hand without assembly lines; only one craftsman may work on a bag at a time.

The Birkin bag, which takes its name from actress Jane Birkin, is perhaps the most coveted of them all. Made from exotic animal skins and adorned with hardware hewn from precious metals, these bags boast waiting lists in excess of two years and price tags starting at $5000. A one-of-a-kind pink crocodile Birkin fetched $140,000 in 2007.

Hermes peddles its goods through boutiques sprinkled throughout posh U.S. enclaves like New York, East Hampton, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills. Based in Paris, the company continues to expand abroad into lucrative developing markets such as China. In a nod to its heritage, Hermes still offers equestrian paraphernalia.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Gallery: More from Hermes

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