A Guide to Hermes Scarves

Founded in 1837, the luxury house of Hermes began as a bridle and harness company. They established themselves amongst the European elite, due to the exceptional quality of their product. The first bag was created in 1900, however it was originally designed as a saddlebag for riders to carry their tackle. From this, the company grew into one of the most sought-after fashion houses in the world.

 
The Carré (scarf), first created in 1937, remains one of the most versatile luxury accessories in the world. The original 'Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches' scarf was based on a woodblock drawing by Robert Dumas, a member of the Hermes family, and printed on imported Chinese silk. Since then, they have released more than 2,000 designs by over 150 different artists, who all hand draw their designs. Some of the most collectible artists include Henri d’Origny, Joachim Metz,  and Philippe Ledoux. Designs can range from Hermés’ traditional equestrian heritage brand to the beautiful and obscure. What makes Hermes scarves so unique is their use of vibrant colour; generally each design contains more than 27 individual colours. The scarves are still silk-screened and hand rolled in France and can take up to 6 months to produce.

The Carré has been worn by some of the biggest style icons of both the 20th and 21st centuries. One of the longest standing enthusiasts of the scarf is Queen Elizabeth II who has been wearing the Carré as a headscarf since the 1940s. You can follow in the footsteps of HRH and try the ‘Windsor’; fold into a triangle and tie under the chin. Grace Kelly famously used her scarf as a sling for her broken arm. It also featured in the iconic film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O have been photographed in countless Carré designs. More recently, the scarves were worn by the iconic Carrie Bradshaw, in Sex and the City.  Or be inspired by Madonna and wear your Carré as a halter neck top, tied at the nape of the neck. Regardless of your style or how you wear it, there is a Carré design for everyone.