The story of the French brand Hermès begins in 1837, when Thierry Hermès founded it. At first he made luxury horse-riding accessories, silk scarves and leather goods. Bags, belts, shoes, jewellery and watches are other products the house offers. Later Hermès also started producing luxury cosmetics and perfumes.
The founder of Hermès and the history of the brand
Thierry Hermès was born in Germany in 1801, but his family moved to France in 1828. Nine years later he opened a workshop and began making high-quality leather harnesses and bridles for European nobility. He won many awards thanks to the quality of his products. In 1880 his son Charles-Émile took over the craft and developed Hermès into more than a family name or a workshop: a whole brand.
The shop that Charles-Émile opened then still stands in the same place in Paris today. He began producing saddles and leather bags, and Hermès products were also sold through a chain of stores. The company started selling to elite society all over the world, in Europe, Africa, Asia, Russia, North and South America, and became known worldwide.
After Charles-Émile retired, the business was inherited by his sons, who changed the name of the brand to Hermès Frères (the Hermès Brothers). Just like their grandfather and father, they had a nose for business and kept rising successfully in the market. They began creating more and more accessories and introducing innovative elements. One of the brothers, Émile-Maurice, was the first French manufacturer to obtain the right to use zippers in his products. In 1918 the Hermès brothers also made the first leather golf jacket with a zipper for the then Prince of Wales. As a result of this innovation, the French word for zipper became known as fermeture Hermès (literally: the Hermès fastener).
In 1920 more Hermès accessories and clothing came onto the market. A little later Émile-Maurice's wife complained to him that she could not find a women's leather handbag she liked anywhere. Thanks to this and to her husband's talent, by 1922 it was already possible to buy leather handbags from them. One of the brand's most successful products were the travel bags created in 1925. Many celebrated fashion icons and famous personalities of the time chose to carry them. The American actress Grace Kelly fell so much in love with the Sac à Dépêches bag that it was later renamed the Kelly bag.
The ultra-luxurious and expensive Birkin Bag was created a little later, in 1984. As its name suggests, the bag was originally made for the English singer and actress Jane Birkin. Hermès found inspiration for the Birkin bag when they were on the same plane as the actress. She spilled the contents of her small, overstuffed bag and admitted that she needed a bigger one that was just as elegant, but had never found it.
The Birkin bag is luxurious and stylish, yet suitable for everyday use. Today its price ranges between 7,000 and 300,000 US dollars, depending on the model, size and colour. It is made by hand from delicate and costly crocodile leather, and it takes 18 to 24 hours to make. The famous Birkin bag has been mentioned in a number of films, including the series "Sex and the City". Its quality and clean lines, its delicate stitching and its perfection have been typical of the brand since the 19th century, a time when only the nobility could enjoy such things.
Following the trends of French fashion, Hermès continued to produce scarves, watches and jewellery in the 1990s, as it does to this day. The brand draws inspiration from classical paintings, books and works of art, yet does not ignore the ever-changing everyday style. Émile-Maurice summed up his taste in the words "leather, sport and a tradition of refined elegance". Even today we can agree that these words still describe the creations of Hermès perfectly.
The company logo, which shows a man standing beside a ducal carriage and a horse and is still the symbol of the brand today, was created in 1950. It symbolises the tradition of the Hermès family and the origins of the brand from the very beginning, when the family was associated with equestrian equipment and accessories.
Difficult periods over the years
In the 1970s there were many Hermès stores around the world, but also many competitors. This led to a noticeable drop in sales. Despite the difficult period, Hermès kept searching for and creating innovative methods and products that would stand out from other brands. They hired new designers, introduced new fabrics and patterns, and even designed Swiss watches. At the heart of the Hermès philosophy remained refinement and a sense of nobility and class.
In this way they returned to the top positions and flourished in the market again. Over time they proved their ability to maintain their own style and taste while keeping pace with fashion trends and the demands of buyers. They reap success with their accessories as well as with their perfumes.
The brand today
Hermès will probably never go out of fashion. It will always be a symbol of luxury and good taste, of haute couture seen through the lens of comfortable everyday style. Proving itself for a third century now, Hermès remains a favourite brand for clothes, shoes, accessories and fragrances for many people around the world. Dozens of celebrities also admit that they love to wear it on the red carpet as well as in everyday life. Among them are Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba and Sarah Jessica Parker.
The company continues to be a family business today and is run by the sixth generation of the Hermès family. This shows even more how much they care about their traditions. The fashion house is considered the most innovative in the industry. Their dedication to continuing to produce new ultra-luxurious products embodies the strong spirit of the company. Hermès relies on controlled marketing, limited sales and authenticity, and there is no doubt that its successes in the future will be just as great.
Hermès perfumes
The first Hermès perfume reached the world market in 1951 and is called Eau d'Hermès. It remains one of the leading fragrances of French and world perfumery to this day. It is designed for both men and women. This perfume draws inspiration from the scent of leather, delicate flowers, fresh citrus and spices. According to specialists in the field, the mysterious scent of Eau d'Hermès is one of the most creative perfumes. Its creator, Edmond Roudnitska, himself compared the fragrance to the scent we catch in Hermès leather bags.
Ten years later Hermès created its first women's perfume, Calèche. After it too won worldwide success, they confirmed their talent and perfectionism in the field of perfumery as well.
Since then they have never stopped developing their production of luxury men's and women's fragrances. They have presented new perfumes one after another, each of which has impressed big names not only on the French but also on the world perfumery scene. Today Hermès perfumes number 112 in all.
Just like the fashion accessories they offer, Hermès perfumes are inspired by leather and natural ingredients. They are just as refined, measured and expressive. The perfumes reveal woody and floral notes, and we can often detect cedar, citrus, black pepper, nutmeg and other spices. The scents that come from a bottle of Hermès perfume are always earthy and natural.
Famous fragrances
Having created hundreds of scents, Hermès still has perfumes today that never go out of fashion. Some of them are:
An elegant, bold and seductive men's fragrance with pronounced woody notes balanced by citrus freshness. Refined and stylish, it can be worn for any formal occasion, but is just as suitable for everyday life.
This is the brand's first women's perfume. It was created in 1961 and also contains citrus notes such as mandarin and lemon. It includes floral elements of gardenia, ylang-ylang and rose.
Another women's perfume, available since 2004. This fragrance too features the scents of flowers, citrus and moss. Soft vanilla and cedar strengthen the presence and tangibility of the perfume.
· Un Jardin En Méditerranée
Created in 2003, this perfume is a choice for both men and women. The name of the fragrance hints at the inspiration behind it: the Mediterranean gardens of Tunisia. With notes of sea breeze, fig, citrus fruits and Mediterranean flowers, with every spray the scent of Un Jardin En Méditerranée will carry you away to warm oriental gardens.
· Hermès Jour d’Hermès
Another modern and graceful women's fragrance, launched in 2013. Its composition radiates refined floral freshness, with notes of orange blossom, narcissus and gardenia over a deep woody-musky base. Delicate and mysterious, the perfume gives confidence.
· Équipage
The men's Équipage was created back in 1970 by Guy Robert. It is the first Hermès fragrance made exclusively for men. Its scent is at once strong and delicate. Deep woody notes are underlined by sharp spices and balanced by fresh herbs. Bergamot, moss and nutmeg are some of the scents we can detect. Many critics claim it is one of the best men's perfumes ever created. The scent of Équipage is associated with timelessness, masculinity and a strong presence.
Hermès Twilly d'Hermès
A truly interesting, light and enchanting women's fragrance. It is inspired by eternal youth and femininity, play, laughter and lightness. Spicy ginger notes bloom on the skin and flirt with the senses. This boldness is balanced by delicate accords of warm wood and tuberose, and the result is an intriguing and memorable, yet unobtrusive scent.
Hermès perfumes you will find at Venera Fragrances
We have selected some of the most loved Hermès fragrances that are currently available in our online shop:
- Hermes Terre D'Hermes Intense EDP (2025)
- Hermes Barenia Intense EDP (2025)
- Hermes Barenia EDP (2024)
- Hermes H24 Herbes Vives EDP (2024)
- Hermes Terre D'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver EDP (2018)
- Hermes Le Jardin de Monsieur Li EDT (2015)
- Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Toit EDT (2011)
- Hermes Terre D'Hermes EDT (2006)
- Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil EDT (2005)
- Hermes Un Jardin En Mediterranee EDT (2003)
