The story of the Hermes brand and the story of the distinctive symbol and its relationship to horses

 

Most people associate Hermes with its signature winged sandals. While his shoes were clearly a component of his image in Greek art, surprisingly his wings were not his most prominent feature.

Hermes had many other emblems that associated him with his roles as messenger and shepherd, in addition to his wings. His unusual hat and symbol, a lamb, indicated his function as a pastoral deity.

Hermes may be identified more by his scepter than by his clothing and animals. Covered with wings and draped with twisted serpents, this famous staff represents his role as messenger and messenger of Zeus.

If the caduceus looks familiar, that's because it's still in operation today, albeit in an area unrelated to Hermes. Indeed, while its wings are appropriate for letters and postal services, many of Hermes' most iconic emblems have very different meanings today.

Former Hermes symbols

Greek gods created symbolism and imagery long before mythological writers were written. These symbols, frequently drawn from ancient archetypes and pre-Greek cultures, were gradually assimilated into Greek art and mythology over hundreds of years.

On the other hand, the symbols and images of Hermes varied frequently throughout Greek history. While some of the deities are recognizable in their early depictions, the early forms of Hermes did not resemble the young, winged man commonly imagined.

Hermes was depicted in the ancient era as an elderly deity with a full beard and a serious look, similar to Zeus or Poseidon. However, over time, his image evolved into that of a gorgeous young deity with graceful features and a full-bearded face.

However, the older version of Hermes was often kept on the pyramid. These boundary stones were originally simple stone markers which were eventually replaced by stone or bronze pillars topped with the visage of a deity.

Even when Hermes the Younger gained fame, the pyramid still depicted a bearded deity at the top.

The figure of Hermes on border and road signs represents his status as the god of travelers and messengers. It also represents his ability to cross borders, both on Earth and between worlds.

These hormones sometimes included phallic symbols, remnants of the deity's ancient relationship with fertility and the birth of new life. While his status as a fertility god diminished, iconography such as his bearded face persisted in some situations.

How is Hermes photographed?

Hermes was sometimes depicted carrying a lamb, a reference to his status as a patron deity. After stealing his half-brother Apollo's cattle as a newborn, he inherits the role.

His affinity for rural life was also reflected in his unusual hat.

The wide-brimmed hat, or petasos, worn frequently by Hermes is unique among the gods but was typical among the Greeks. The petasos was a type of head covering worn by peasants and rural shepherds to keep the sun out of their eyes.

Hermes also wore unusual sandals called pedella. It was made of fine gold and was supposed to allow him to travel at amazing speeds.

Both his sandals and his headdress are depicted in Greek art with small wings on either side. Although this was not an original part of the deity's iconography, it became so popular that he was occasionally depicted in later ages with miniature wings growing directly from his head and ankles.

His distinctive cloak was also thrown over his shoulders or over his arm. He possesses the ability to imbue invisibility, which allows him to move around the planet unnoticed.

On the other hand, the caduceus was the most recognizable sign of Hermes.

This distinctive staff was coiled in two intertwined snakes and was often topped with a ball or wings. It was a powerful magical device capable of inducing sleep and a symbol of his function as the herald of Zeus.

While other deities, especially messengers such as Eris, used a similar staff, they are mostly identified with Hermes. Even without images of wings or lambs, the caduceus was recognized as the emblem of defining messenger deity.

Modern interpretation of the Hermes symbol

While many Hermes emblems have survived into modern times, they have done so in surprising ways.

The deity's wings were added later in the development of his art, but were closely linked to the speed and reliability of his messengers.

As a result, it was an obvious choice for many modern postal and delivery service logos. From delivering packages to delivering flowers, companies in the XNUMXst century continue to exploit the components of the ancient image of Hermes to represent speed and precision.

In the modern world, caduceus has an interesting association. It is frequently associated with medical practice.

This is not due to any legend about Hermes. His sceptre is often confused with the rod of Asclepius, which had only one serpent and lacked wings and a ball at the top.

The rod of Asclepius was the sign of doctors in ancient Greece, and only the most trained could wear it. When the medical community carried this technique into the Middle Ages and into modern times, it was mistaken for the similar Hermes staff.

As a result, the motto of preachers and apostles was misinterpreted as a sign of medicine and can still be found in this context today.

Today, the scepter is used more accurately as a symbol of business, as it was in ancient Greece. Hermes was a merchant and patron of thieves, who oversaw the flow of goods and people across borders.

History of the Hermes Brand

Thierry Hermès (1801-1878) founded Hermès in 1837 as a workshop in the Grands Boulevards district of Paris dedicated to serving the European nobility.

Thierry Hermes

He made some of the finest handcrafted harnesses and bridles for the hauling trade. Over the next few decades, Hermes became one of the most popular saddlery dealers, and began making leather bags to feed the horse, house saddles, and carry other riding equipment such as boots, whips, and riding helmets. The horse was, in fact, Hermes' first client.

Hermes bags

Here are some of the bags produced by the Hermes brand:

# 1. Picotin bag

This was inspired by a horse's snout to feed while walking. This bag was simple and functional, with raw edges and no lining.

#2. Haut à Courroies bag

This is the oldest Hermes bag, dating back to 1900. It was a specially made bag with a raised trapezoidal shape for passengers to carry their saddles or other equipment, and is the closest product to today's bags.

# 3. Bag trim

In the days of horses and buggys, this was filled with hay and placed around the necks of horses as a portable manger. Hermès revisited this small outing collection in 1958 and transformed it into a women's bag. The original hook has also been converted into a belt clip by the fashion brand.

#4. Evelyn

Evelyn Bertrand, then head of the riding department at Hermes, decided to present the groom with a leather case for their brushes, sponges, etc. The eponymous bag had air holes and was an H-shaped set in a horseshoe oval.

The first leather handbags were introduced to human customers in 1922. Emile-Maurice-Hermès' wife complained that she could not find one she liked. As a result, the legendary luxury leatherette house as we know it today was indeed formed.

#5. Jypsiere bag

Jean-Paul Gaultier chose to accompany his AW 2008 collection with a bag that talks about nature and hunting and was inspired by the original Hermes riding bags.

#6. Sac a depeches, Metta Catharina

The wrecked Frau Metta Catharina was discovered by an English maritime archaeological group in the 1970s. They discover coils of leather in original shape inside. Hermes acquired some of this leather in the 1993's and created this Sac a depeches, one of the house's famous designs, using leather that had been lying on the seabed for over XNUMX years.

# 7. Sack Mallet Bag

The night pouch was first described during the Renaissance. Originally bound with a cord, a Parisian maker created a clasping iron clip known as a vuillard for the overnight bag. Added two handles and a base to make it stand alone. This piece of luggage influenced Hermes to design the Mallette bag in the XNUMXs.

#8. Bag a de peches

This is basically a men's school bag. "Depeches" or dispatches were the latest news and information. This bag was designed in 1928 to carry these documents. Hermes is still most popular for bespoke orders, and you may have any number of bags in any size.

#9. Lindy's bag

Designed by Frederic Vidal, this bag had handles on the smaller sides, allowing it to fold over on itself. Simply hold the Hermes saddle rivet with your thumb and forefinger to open the bag. This is one of the most successful stories in the history of the fashion house.

# 10. Paris Bombay bag

This is a village doctor's bag converted into a modern handbag. This bag was designed in 2008, the year of “Indian fantasies”. It has large sides attached to long thin handles.

No. 11. Plum cyst

This bag is inspired by the blanket holder that was popular in the XNUMX's. It was one of the first Hermes bags made of soft, unlined leather. It was created from the inside out and then turned out to create a beautiful stylish bag.

No. 12. Kelly's handbag

This was invented around 1930 and got its name after Grace Kelly used it as a barrier for paparazzi and the photo appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Beautiful handbag with the famous Hermes buckle.

# 13. Birkin handbag

On a flight from Paris to London in 1983, Jane Birkin sat next to Jean-Louis Dumas, director of Hermès. She threw her diaries and papers from Hermes everywhere. She declared that no wallet had enough pockets to hold all her papers! This is a huge bag that was both durable and attractive, quickly becoming one of the most sought after designs in the world.

# 14. Bolide bag

Originally, the term bolide denoted a meteorite, but in the 1923th century, the French referred to the fast new vehicles as "bolides". In XNUMX, Emile Hermes designed this bag for a friend who was a car enthusiast. He discovered the zipper in America and linked it to the boule, and thus the bag as we know it was born.

#15. Verru clutch

In 1938, the clutch bag was invented. After returning the one Andy Warhol-created Ultra Violet that Andy Warhol once bought to Hermès, the house decided to craft a new version with silver and palladium screws.

# 16. Constance

The bag is named after Constance, the daughter of designer Catherine Chellet, who was born in 1959. The bag can be worn on the shoulder or carried from the side thanks to the H-shaped buckle and a smart adjustable strap.

Hermes conjures up a story that not even other fashion houses can rival, with so many wondrous stories and an illustrious backstory. The fact that the exquisite bags they create are still in high demand, testifies to the fashion house's design brilliance and opulent quality.

Buy a Hermes bag

As much as we like to stock our wardrobes with every designer label available, designer clothing is just as luxurious. However, when the time comes to finally acquire a trendy investment piece, it is essential to read everything you need to know before delving deeper into your bank account. Of course, when it comes to buying an Hermès product, like the iconic Birkin bag, the laws are a little different. Luckily, we got the inside scoop on how to buy a Hermès purse from an expert, so you can go in with confidence.

It can be difficult to get hold of one of the classic Hermès bags due to the high demand that comes with the Hermès logo. To make your decision easier, we contacted Sarah Davis, founder and president of luxury resale site Fashionphile, for all the details, including where to buy the Hermès purse and what makes it so special. Watch what you have to say in the video below.

What makes the Hermès bag unique?

Hermès has firmly established itself as the pinnacle of luxury accessories. When I say “imagine a Hermès scarf, belt, or handbag,” an iconic image comes to mind. You may have seen a king in a sash, your favorite basketball player in an H-belt, and celebrities of all kinds wearing Birkins. However, Kelly and Birkin bags, in particular, have developed an insatiable desire due to their rarity and exorbitant price.

Is the Hermès bag a good buy?

There is no doubt that the Hermès bag is an investment. The moment you drive up your new Birkin from the Hermès yard (or walk out the front doors of an Hermès store with your new bag in hand), its value goes up by thousands of dollars, depending on the bag's specifications. It is crucial to realize that some investments outperform others. You can profit or lose while buying and selling palaces or Hermès bags. Success is determined by timing, rarity of style, quality, age of the bag, and purchase price.

How much does a Hermès bag cost?

There are several smaller Hermès handbags available on the company's website, such as the small Aline for $1875. A basic Birkin 30 costs upwards of $10,000 or more, depending on the type of leather or material used. A similar bag of crocodile or alligator costs three to four times as much. The problem is that not only does Hermès make Birkin harder to come by, it also limits the amount of Birkins you can buy annually. Due to a very limited supply and pent-up demand, the resale market has boomed.

Which Hermès bag should you buy?

While it may seem fun to start a Birkins investment portfolio, most consumers don't have the funds to invest $10,000 at a time. Many people who want to buy a bag they like don't expect a big profit, but you don't have to choose Birkin or Kelly to get both! Hermès Constance and Evelyne are gorgeous, edgy outfits in classic shapes that hold their value well.

What stores sell Hermes bags?

Obviously, most Hermès bags can be purchased directly from Hermès. It may take a while, but you can buy a Birkin straight from the store. You can't stroll into a Hermès store and buy a Birkin right now. There is a waiting list and it must be ordered. You can't even buy a Birkin, Kelly, or most other classic Hermès styles online. So, if you're based in Biloxi, Mississippi, and want a Birkin or Constance, you'll have to drive to Atlanta, Georgia, or Houston, Texas, to get your Hermes bag. There are no queues when shopping from Fashionphile, and everything is available online