Story THU HOA
Photos KYUNGSUB SHIN, ALEXANDRE GUIRKINGER

During the Hermès In The Making exhibition in Seoul, Heritage Fashion sat down with Mr. Guillaume de Seynes, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Division and Equity Investments and talked about the secrets of creating upmost handcrafted objects.

What specific characteristics or design elements contribute the most to the quality, durability and long-lasting value of Hermès products across generations?

Mr.   Guillaume   de    Seynes:    Hermès has been around for over 170 years; my great-great-grandfather, Thierry Hermès, founded the brand in 1837 with a workshop on rue Basse-du-Rempart in Paris. Over six successive generations, artisanal production has expanded to encompass new métiers, and has evolved and grown without losing sight of its founding principle: constant attention to quality craftsmanship. Hermès began by making harnesses and after some years specialized in making saddles, building a reputation for producing beautiful, durable, sturdy and comfortable ones. The craftsmanship of the saddle makers had to be very skilled and adept. As the industry evolved and people used horses less, we adapted to this shift, keeping our exceptional craftsmanship. Hermès began producing leather goods, such as bags, suitcases and belts, with the same spirit of excellence that characterized our renowned saddles. The legendary beauty and durability that were the criteria for making saddles was transferred to our fashion leather goods and home furnishings. This heritage and tradition have created a remarkable product line, and a source of pleasure for six generations of the Hermès family and for the entire French high-end craft.

Hermès In The Making exhibition in Seoul

How does Hermès’ culture and luxury imprint influence the way its objects are cherished and passed down through families over time?

I have a lot of memories of my grandfather, as he passed away when I was 20. One thing he often said that resonates with me is, “A luxury object is one that can be repaired.” We offer repair and refurbishment services for Hermès objects. There are visitors who bring their grandmother’s bags to us for repair and renew. It’s no longer just a bag; it’s a legacy, a memory from generation to generation. It becomes part of your life. In this way, our customers understand the product better than our teams because they have been connected to their Hermès product for a long time.

Since Hermès objects are well-known for having strong generational value, does the Hermès team assume that it will also gain economic value?

We always strive to create the most perfect and innovative objects with detailed savoir-faire. These objects are the essence of years of tradition, absorbing and learning from many cultures and artisans from around the world. Within the 16 métiers, each object will not become expensive over time but will have a price that reflects its quality and beauty.

Hermès In The Making exhibition in Seoul

Can you tell us how Hermès came to know Hanoia and what made Hermès collaborate with Hanoia to produce Hermès lacquerware?

Twenty-five   years   ago,   we   sent experts worldwide to seek out high-artistic-quality handcrafted production. We found everything the house needed for our high-end lacquerware in Hanoia. Today, you can see many French women wearing lacquer jewelry produced by Hanoia under Hermès’s guidance. We provide designs, colors, sizes, etc., for Hanoia to create unique pieces. The collaboration between Hermès and Hanoia, along with our local community in Vietnam, is also a reflection of the good relationship between the country and France.

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