1837 · year
The first Paris workshop
Thierry opens a harness workshop.

1837 · year
Thierry opens a harness workshop.
Read the story →- Six generations of artisans · Hermès
History · eight historical periods
Explore 74 sourced milestones across eight historical periods, with a full reading for each chapter.
Editorial period boundaries, not new historical facts. All dates and uncertainties are preserved. Illustrations remain provisional; distinct page-specific assets are in preparation.
Eight periods
1837–1879The workshop years
1880–1921A new address, wider horizons
1922–1936Designing for modern life
1937–1955A house of many métiers
1956–1983Objects become icons
1984–1996The Birkin years and a wider design culture
1997–2013A new creative conversation
2014–2026Heritage in the presentImages for 1922–1936, 1937–1955, 1956–1983, 1984–1996, 1997–2013, 2014–2026 are AI-generated illustrations for MyQuotaBag, not archives or Hermès objects. The others are museum images credited on their pages.
Moments
74 milestones across 8 periods
No milestones match. Reset the filters to explore all periods.
1837–1879 · 2 milestones
Thierry Hermès opened a harness workshop on rue Basse-du-Rempart in Paris in 1837. The story begins with equipment made for use: leather whose value lay in the work it had to do, long before the name became associated with celebrated bags.
Read this period as a chapter →1837 · year
Thierry opens a harness workshop.
1837 · year
Thierry opens a harness workshop.
Read the story →1867 · year
An award at the Universal Exhibition.
1867 · year
An award at the Universal Exhibition.
Read the story →1880–1921 · 3 milestones
In 1880, Charles-Émile Hermès, Thierry’s son, moved the workshops to 24, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and opened a store. Hermès’s history describes made-to-measure saddles and harnesses offered there. The address brings two activities into the same story: making equipment and meeting the people who would use it. The continuity of the trade is as important as the change of location.
Read this period as a chapter →1880 · year
Charles-Émile relocates workshops and opens a store.
1880 · year
Charles-Émile relocates workshops and opens a store.
Read the story →1900 · circa year
Older company chronology dates the bag around 1900.
1900 · circa year
Older company chronology dates the bag around 1900.
Read the story →1903 · year
Rocabar enters the company chronology.
1903 · year
Rocabar enters the company chronology.
Read the story →1922–1936 · 10 milestones
Explore an american fastener in france, a two-handled bag.
Read this period as a chapter →1922 · year
Émile secures exclusive development rights, according to Hermès.
1922 · year
Émile secures exclusive development rights, according to Hermès.
Read the story →1923 · year
The company dates this bag format to 1923.
1923 · year
The company dates this bag format to 1923.
Read the story →1924 · year
A fastening mechanism reaches another accessory.
1924 · year
A fastening mechanism reaches another accessory.
Read the story →1924 · year
Hermès dates the Frank–Guerrand furniture-covering collaboration to 1924.
1924 · year
Hermès dates the Frank–Guerrand furniture-covering collaboration to 1924.
Read the story →1925 · year
Hermès dates its first ready-to-wear garment to 1925. The official chronology records a first men’s ready-to-wear garment.
1925 · year
Hermès dates its first ready-to-wear garment to 1925. The official chronology records a first men’s ready-to-wear garment.
Read the story →1927 · year
The first jewelry piece in the corporate chronology. Hermès dates the introduction of jewelry to 1927.
1927 · year
The first jewelry piece in the corporate chronology. Hermès dates the introduction of jewelry to 1927.
Read the story →1928 · year
The official chronology records watches and sandals in 1928.
1928 · year
The official chronology records watches and sandals in 1928.
Read the story →1929/1932 · range · interval 1929–1932
The Met dates its ensemble to 1929–1932.
1929/1932 · range · interval 1929–1932
The Met dates its ensemble to 1929–1932.
Read the story →1930 · circa year
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs dates its example around 1930.
1930 · circa year
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs dates its example around 1930.
Read the story →1930 · year
Diaries appear in the company’s product chronology.
1930 · year
Diaries appear in the company’s product chronology.
Read the story →1937–1955 · 6 milestones
A silk square asks to be looked at in more than one way. Spread out, it offers an image; folded or tied, it reveals only parts of that image. Hermès dates its first carré, Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches, to 1937. The new format gives this chapter a starting point: an object whose appearance changes through the simple act of wearing it.
Read this period as a chapter →1937 · year
Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches. Hermès dates Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches to this year.
1937 · year
Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches. Hermès dates Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches to this year.
Read the story →1938 · year
Robert Dumas’s bracelet enters the house chronology.
1938 · year
Robert Dumas’s bracelet enters the house chronology.
Read the story →1945 · year
Alfred de Dreux’s drawing enters the corporate identity.
1945 · year
Alfred de Dreux’s drawing enters the corporate identity.
Read the story →1949 · year
The official chronology dates printed ties to 1949.
1949 · year
The official chronology dates printed ties to 1949.
Read the story →1951 · year
Émile’s son-in-law becomes head of the business. Leadership passes to Robert Dumas.
1951 · year
Émile’s son-in-law becomes head of the business. Leadership passes to Robert Dumas.
Read the story →1951 · year
Edmond Roudnitska creates the fragrance. Edmond Roudnitska composes Eau d’Hermès.
1951 · year
Edmond Roudnitska creates the fragrance. Edmond Roudnitska composes Eau d’Hermès.
Read the story →1956–1983 · 14 milestones
A famous name can eclipse the object that came before it. Look beyond the name and this period becomes full of other things to notice: the meeting of silk and knit, the outline of a watch, the way a room or a window gives an object a setting.
Read this period as a chapter →1956 · year
The house identifies photographs of Grace Kelly as the turning point; formal renaming date disputed.
1956 · year
The house identifies photographs of Grace Kelly as the turning point; formal renaming date disputed.
Read the story →1961 · year
She works alongside Annie Beaumel.
1961 · year
She works alongside Annie Beaumel.
Read the story →1961 · year
Guy Robert’s first women’s fragrance for Hermès. Guy Robert creates Calèche.
1961 · year
Guy Robert’s first women’s fragrance for Hermès. Guy Robert creates Calèche.
Read the story →1961 · year
Knit and silk twill are combined in clothing.
1961 · year
Knit and silk twill are combined in clothing.
Read the story →1967 · year
Constance enters the official chronology.
1967 · year
Constance enters the official chronology.
Read the story →1967 · year
Karolyi is entrusted with the women’s wardrobe.
1967 · year
Karolyi is entrusted with the women’s wardrobe.
Read the story →1970 · year
The fragrance is launched in the house’s published chronology.
1970 · year
The fragrance is launched in the house’s published chronology.
Read the story →1972 · year
Rena Dumas founds Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure; this is the studio’s foundation date, not the beginning of its Hermès collaboration.
1972 · year
Rena Dumas founds Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure; this is the studio’s foundation date, not the beginning of its Hermès collaboration.
Read the story →1973 · year
The house journal begins in Germany.
1973 · year
The house journal begins in Germany.
Read the story →1976 · year
The studio’s own chronology dates the beginning of its Hermès collaboration to 1976.
1976 · year
The studio’s own chronology dates the beginning of its Hermès collaboration to 1976.
Read the story →1978 · year
Robert’s son leads the next phase. The house history marks the beginning of his leadership.
1978 · year
Robert’s son leads the next phase. The house history marks the beginning of his leadership.
Read the story →1978 · year
She takes responsibility for Faubourg displays.
1978 · year
She takes responsibility for Faubourg displays.
Read the story →1978 · year
The watchmaking entity enters the house history. The watchmaking operation in Biel/Bienne and d’Origny’s Arceau date to this year.
1978 · year
The watchmaking entity enters the house history. The watchmaking operation in Biel/Bienne and d’Origny’s Arceau date to this year.
Read the story →1978 · year
Hermès dates the Evelyne’s equestrian story to 1978; this is not a first-release date for every later size or generation.
1978 · year
Hermès dates the Evelyne’s equestrian story to 1978; this is not a first-release date for every later size or generation.
Read the story →1984–1996 · 12 milestones
A roomy bag is a good place to begin, but there is more to these years than the Birkin. Porcelain and furniture bring the home into the story; a watch draws attention to proportion; the workshops remind us where finished objects begin.
Read this period as a chapter →1984 · year
Hermès’s official creation date; original surviving bag catalogued 1985.
1984 · year
Hermès’s official creation date; original surviving bag catalogued 1985.
Read the story →1984 · year
Pivoines tableware enters the product chronology.
1984 · year
Pivoines tableware enters the product chronology.
Read the story →1985 · year
Date attributed by Sotheby’s to the surviving original.
1985 · year
Date attributed by Sotheby’s to the surviving original.
Read the story →1986 · year
Pippa enters the house product chronology.
1986 · year
Pippa enters the house product chronology.
Read the story →1987 · year
The 150th-anniversary fireworks begin the theme tradition.
1987 · year
The 150th-anniversary fireworks begin the theme tradition.
Read the story →1988 · year
Nichanian’s October 2025 statement dates the beginning of her work for Hermès to 1988.
1988 · year
Nichanian’s October 2025 statement dates the beginning of her work for Hermès to 1988.
Read the story →1990 · year
Hardy’s biography dates his arrival to 1990.
1990 · year
Hardy’s biography dates his arrival to 1990.
Read the story →1991 · year
Henri d’Origny’s Cape Cod is introduced. Henri d’Origny’s Cape Cod is launched.
1991 · year
Henri d’Origny’s Cape Cod is introduced. Henri d’Origny’s Cape Cod is launched.
Read the story →1992 · year
Workshops leave Faubourg’s first floor. Leather workshops move from the Faubourg to Pantin.
1992 · year
Workshops leave Faubourg’s first floor. Leather workshops move from the Faubourg to Pantin.
Read the story →1993 · year
The house history dates Puiforcat’s integration to 1993.
1993 · year
The house history dates Puiforcat’s integration to 1993.
Read the story →1995 · year
Maurice Roucel’s eau de toilette carries the address.
1995 · year
Maurice Roucel’s eau de toilette carries the address.
Read the story →1995 · year
The house history dates Saint-Louis’s integration to 1995.
1995 · year
The house history dates Saint-Louis’s integration to 1995.
Read the story →1997–2013 · 17 milestones
Sometimes a fresh approach begins with a small part of an object: a strap, for instance. Sometimes it begins with materials another workshop has set aside. These years reward attention to such decisions and to the different people behind them.
Read this period as a chapter →1997 · year
Margiela is appointed to women’s ready-to-wear. MoMu dates the beginning of Margiela’s Hermès womenswear work to 1997.
1997 · year
Margiela is appointed to women’s ready-to-wear. MoMu dates the beginning of Margiela’s Hermès womenswear work to 1997.
Read the story →1998 · year
Margiela presents Cape Cod with a double-tour strap.
1998 · year
Margiela presents Cape Cod with a double-tour strap.
Read the story →2000 · year
A Maison Hermès opens in New York.
2000 · year
A Maison Hermès opens in New York.
Read the story →2001 · year
Hardy’s biography dates his jewelry creative appointment to 2001.
2001 · year
Hardy’s biography dates his jewelry creative appointment to 2001.
Read the story →2002 · year
Picotin enters the house’s product chronology; no separate Lock-variant introduction date is inferred.
2002 · year
Picotin enters the house’s product chronology; no separate Lock-variant introduction date is inferred.
Read the story →2003 · year
Grand Palais dates Gaultier’s Hermès tenure 2003–2010; MoMu gives Margiela’s end year as 2003.
2003 · year
Grand Palais dates Gaultier’s Hermès tenure 2003–2010; MoMu gives Margiela’s end year as 2003.
Read the story →2003 · year
Ellena creates Un Jardin en Méditerranée; Aurore de La Morinerie illustrates its packaging.
2003 · year
Ellena creates Un Jardin en Méditerranée; Aurore de La Morinerie illustrates its packaging.
Read the story →2004 · year
Jean-Claude Ellena becomes Hermès’s exclusive perfumer.
2004 · year
Jean-Claude Ellena becomes Hermès’s exclusive perfumer.
Read the story →2006 · year
A transition towards the sixth family generation.
2006 · year
A transition towards the sixth family generation.
Read the story →2006 · year
Ellena creates Terre d’Hermès.
2006 · year
Ellena creates Terre d’Hermès.
Read the story →2008-10 · month
Steidl issues Photographer, a collection of Jean-Louis Dumas’s photographs.
2008-10 · month
Steidl issues Photographer, a collection of Jean-Louis Dumas’s photographs.
Read the story →2010 · year
Petit h is founded; the official chronology dates a first Haute Bijouterie collection to the same year.
2010 · year
Petit h is founded; the official chronology dates a first Haute Bijouterie collection to the same year.
Read the story →2010-10 · month
The final collection is SS2011, shown in October 2010.
2010-10 · month
The final collection is SS2011, shown in October 2010.
Read the story →2011 · year
Jean-Claude Ellena creates Un Jardin sur le Toit.
2011 · year
Jean-Claude Ellena creates Un Jardin sur le Toit.
Read the story →2011 · year
Hermès’s 2012 Annual Report lists Arceau Le Temps Suspendu under 2011, extending the Arceau story beyond its already-recorded 1978 origin.
2011 · year
Hermès’s 2012 Annual Report lists Arceau Le Temps Suspendu under 2011, extending the Arceau story beyond its already-recorded 1978 origin.
Read the story →2011-03 · month
AW2011 is presented in March 2011.
2011-03 · month
AW2011 is presented in March 2011.
Read the story →2013 · year
Jean-Louis’ nephew takes executive leadership.
2013 · year
Jean-Louis’ nephew takes executive leadership.
Read the story →2014–2026 · 10 milestones
The life of a house continues in the objects it makes and the knowledge it passes on. Here, a reversible coat, a new perfume and a school bring that relationship into the present. Temporary creations also return in another form, inviting a fresh look at work that might otherwise be known only through its record.
Read this period as a chapter →The accompanying reading extends to July 2026: selected workshop events through April, with an artist’s account published in July. The 74 milestone records are unchanged.
2014-07 · month
Appointment to women’s ready-to-wear is recorded in July 2014.
2014-07 · month
Appointment to women’s ready-to-wear is recorded in July 2014.
Read the story →2015-03 · month
Her first collection is presented in March 2015.
2015-03 · month
Her first collection is presented in March 2015.
Read the story →2016 · year
After joining in 2014, Nagel becomes exclusive perfumer and director of olfactory heritage.
2016 · year
After joining in 2014, Nagel becomes exclusive perfumer and director of olfactory heritage.
Read the story →2017-11-08 · day
Hermès presents eight scenes in a retrospective with exhibition scenography by Nathalie Crinière.
2017-11-08 · day
Hermès presents eight scenes in a retrospective with exhibition scenography by Nathalie Crinière.
Read the story →2020 · year
The 2020 Activity Report documents an electric guitar and an Arçon chair among petit h’s examples. This is a documentary milestone, not a claimed first creation date.
2020 · year
The 2020 Activity Report documents an electric guitar and an Arçon chair among petit h’s examples. This is a documentary milestone, not a claimed first creation date.
Read the story →2021 · year
Hermès dates the opening of its leatherwork vocational school to 2021. This institutional milestone is distinct from the much older practice of training within workshops.
2021 · year
Hermès dates the opening of its leatherwork vocational school to 2021. This institutional milestone is distinct from the much older practice of training within workshops.
Read the story →2024 · year
Le Monde d’Hermès explores the address.
2024 · year
Le Monde d’Hermès explores the address.
Read the story →2024-09 · month
The dated October shareholder letter records the September launch of Nagel’s Barénia.
2024-09 · month
The dated October shareholder letter records the September launch of Nagel’s Barénia.
Read the story →2025 · year
The annual report identifies Vanhée as women’s ready-to-wear artistic director and describes adaptable AW2025 garments.
2025 · year
The annual report identifies Vanhée as women’s ready-to-wear artistic director and describes adaptable AW2025 garments.
Read the story →2026-01 · month
The October 2025 announcement scheduled her final collection for 24 January 2026; the 2025 annual report subsequently confirms the autumn–winter 2026 presentation at the Palais Brongniart in late January. Month precision preserves the retrospective source’s wording.
2026-01 · month
The October 2025 announcement scheduled her final collection for 24 January 2026; the 2025 annual report subsequently confirms the autumn–winter 2026 presentation at the Palais Brongniart in late January. Month precision preserves the retrospective source’s wording.
Read the story →


