Monday, October 8, 2012

Reader's contributions - Festival des Métiers

These photos from the 'Festival des Métiers' event in San Francisco  were sent to me by 'Lady B', who generously allowed me to share them here.

The 'FdM' is a travelling exhibion, where artisans from Hermès in France demonstrate on several work stations the process of screen printing silk, and then turning it into scarves and ties, stiching saddles, bags and small leather goods and gilding crystal.


By Lady B:

Napa is most decidedly not Paris,

 but it is where I spent a recent glorious week at the end of September sampling some of my favorite big California cabernets

On my way back home to Los Angeles, I drove through San Francisco to see the Metiers des Artisans (Festival of Crafts) Exhibit in Union Square.

It did not disappoint, although I do regret I had not allocated at least a half day so I could hear the full presentations given at each of the stations. While there were eight in total, I was most drawn to those of the scarves and handbags. Luckily for me, a presentation at the scarf station began shortly after my arrival.


At the scarf printing station we watched the process of silkscreening a scarf. We learned that while artists design the initial image for each scarf, Hermes artisans engrave each of the silk screens by hand before the scarves are printed. A different screen is used for every color and some scarves have almost fifty (49 is the most to date!) colors. For example, the Kermit Oliver scarf, "L'Indien," sometimes also referred to as "Pani la Shar Pawnee," includes 36 colors (11 alone are in the skin tones), so requires 36 screens. The screens are individually placed and manually aligned over a sheet of silk twill. The colors are all custom created in house. After the printing, the scarves are hung to air dry. They are then steamed to hold the color. The scarves are washed with special soap and groundwater to smooth and soften them from the initial color application and coated with a protective finish. Finally, the scarves are hand-rolled and hand-hemmed along the edges by Hermes artisans. The entire scarf design process takes up to two years. Every single step of the scarf making process is overseen and done by Hermes - from raising their own silkworms to producing their own twills (which are heavier and have a velour-like coat).

Eperon d'Or

There were several racks of luscious scarves to admire and touch...the exhibit was designed to invite closer examination and interaction with the many different items produced by Hermes.






At the handbag station, Jypsiere handbags were being made. We were told it can take thirty hours to make a single handbag, of which three might be made in a week, hence the long wait for some of the most iconic bags such as the Birkin and Kelly. Each logo is embossed by hand and different weights of leather are selected and used for different parts of every Hermes bag. Each piece of leather is meticulously cut and measured.


The leather samples on display were just sumptuous!

The ties and many garments are made with the same silk used for the scarves and are rolled, folded and stitched with the same care and attention to detail.


Real gold is used to paint the designs on the crystal glasses. As the color changes with the heat of the oven, the gold is later buffed by hand to give it the luscious shiny effect you see in the finished product.


Aside from wishing I had been able to spend more time at each station, rumor had it there would be some unique items available for purchase at these traveling exhibits only, but this was not so. That said, the exhibit was terrific and is a brilliant idea in terms of introducing new prospective customers to the brand and further tantalizing those of us who are already avid fans and collectors.
If the exhibit comes to a city near you, I highly recommend stopping by and having a look. It will be in Houston, Texas next from October 10-14th, 2012.
Enjoy!
Lady B

Thank you so much for taking us on a trip from Napa Valley to Hermès' wonder world of tradition, knowledge and craftsmanship, dear Lady B.  I so very much enjoyed the fabulous photos of the event, and your insightful report. Mille merci!

More info at www.hermes.com

35 comments:

  1. What a perfect teaser to start off the new week! I am so excited to get to see this in my H- town this week! I will try for a different angle and send the pics on to you to share with our friends here! Tickled 'orange'! Have a wonderful week dear friend, T xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When seeing the next stop, I immediately thought of you, my dearest T! Can't wait to see your pics, so exciting. So tempted to hop onto the next plane.. Have a wonderful week too xxox

      Delete
    2. Guest room is ready girlfriend! I love the edit with the Napa pictures! Such a beautiful,magical part of the world. One of my favorite places to visit. Thank you Lady B for these and the H pics. Excited as 'H'
      to see:) T xx

      Delete
    3. Woohoo, packing my bags as we speak!! Perhaps we can add a little wine tour through Napa to the itinary? I've never been this time of year, it must be magical..

      Delete
  2. wow. what an experience! i'm glad she let you share those photos as well

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I edited the post to add Lady B's report, hope you'll enjoy the extra details too!

      Delete
  3. I'll be in Houston to see the Festival. I am so excited to be able to see Hermes craftspeople in person. Thank you for posting these pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have a most wonderful and fun time, dear Pam! Wish I could join the party :-)

      Delete
  4. I was at the San Francisco event as well. All of it was interesting, but I particularly liked the scarf demo & the jewelry demo where a young woman was setting the tiniest diamonds on a gold bracelet. All of the artisans were very gracious, and patient with all of the questions. The Hermes rep who described the scarf-making process was charming, & he indicated that each store's manager orders what they think will sell for their market, and different colorways are popular in different parts of the world. Great day;and, of course, I had to go to the Hermes store a block away & buy the scarf I was coveting! And, a clic-clac in white. And, perfume samples!! Well worth the 2 hour drive to San Francisco!! Becky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your experience, dear Becky! How amazing it must have been to watch the diamond setter at work. Congratulations on your H goodies, there could not be a better souvenir to remember the event than orange boxes. Which scarf did you bring home?

      Delete
  5. Just lovely - not only the most wonderful pics, but also the great description of this (obviously) delightful experience! Thank you so much, Lady B. and of course dear MT, for sharing! xox, Macs

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for sharing....which is the scarf in the final scarf photo with the pale green border? So pretty!!
    Kate in Carmel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's 'Au coeur de la Vie' by Aline Honoré, it came out in 2007 :-)

      Delete
  7. This is so exciting! Wish I could fly straight to Texas to go and see it!! Thank you so much for sharing and looking forward to part 2! Have a HAPPY week, everybody :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll keep the seat next to me, dear happyface! Have a great week too :-)

      Delete
  8. MT,
    The scarf I purchased was the Astrologie Nouvelle in the noir/vieil or/blanc colorway. Love the contrast with the black & white & since I wear predominately black & white, it was perfect! By the way, the bracelet the stone setter was working on was a rose gold CdC with 900 small diamonds on the pyramid. Stunning!! Becky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity, dear Becky :-) What a perfect choice for a black and white wardrobe, congratulations again!

      Delete
  9. Love these photos....I am thinking of attending the Houston show and wonder if they will sell any of these 'specially' made scarves? While the scarf may not be completely processed, how delightful to have one made while we wait! Does anyone know if it is just a show or are some items available for purchase? Any special items available?

    Many thanks ... as always, you are the best :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you can make it to the Houston show. I agree, it would be great fun to own a scarf one has seen in the making! But, as Becky said below, H does not sell unfinished or less than perfect items. I have not heard of any special items available on these shows, but hopefully the local boutique will be well stocked!

      Delete
  10. What an interesting post! So much great information about the World of Hermès! I would love to see this exhibition one day! Thank you to Lady B. and to you, dear MaiTai for sharing this lovely reportage. Orange hugs, Mxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed, my dear! All thanks to dear Lady B <3

      Delete
  11. hello i Listiani. I really like your blog. may I be friends with you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So nice to hear you enjoy it here, Nganjuk! Thank you also for joining via Google friends connect. Lovely to be friends with you, and to have your support for the blog :-)

      Delete
  12. For those hoping to purchase items at the exhibition,....they do not. Only perfect items produced in their French locations are sold, and only in their boutiques. But, I am sure the Houston boutique isn't far from the Festival. By the way, I was reading a Houston newspaper article that indicated Hermes will be opening a flagship store in Houston soon. Hermes fans in Texas are very, very lucky! Hmmm..just may need to visit my Texan brother soon. Haha. Becky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A flagship in Houston!!! Ooooh, that is an interesting tidbit! Not sure but it seems to me Dallas has more of a high end market than Houston, but Hermes would know best :)

      Thanks so much for the info!

      Delete
    2. Many thanks for chiming in, dear Becky! So glad you could answer some of the questions before I did :-) Great news re the Houston flagship, I can think of a few ladies who would get excited about this!

      Delete
  13. Does anyone know if this is an annual event? It came to my city and I missed it which is a shame as it looks really very interesting. Thank you for the photographs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, it's sadly not an annual event. Smaller demonstrations are held in the boutiques every couple of years, but they are usually by invitation only.

      Delete
  14. Dearest MaiTai,
    A huge thank you to dear Lady B and to you dear MaiTai, for so generously sharing and bringing this one of a kind event to us - so very very appreciated. Hope our many friends in Texas are now enjoying the inner wonders of Hermès...... With much love and giant thank you hugs xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed Lady B's wonderful reportage, my dear friend <3

      Delete
  15. Dear MaiTai,

    Thank you and Lady B for sharing these wonderful photos! I am lucky that I am within walking distance of Union Square and was at the event on the opening morning. I watched the scarf printing demonstration from start to finish and now appreciate my scarves that much more. Sadly, I didn't bring my camera, assuming that photos wouldn't be allowed, so I really appreciate Lady B recording the event.

    All my best,
    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your experience, dear Kelly. How lucky to have watched the scarf printing demo!

      Delete
  16. Dear MaiTai and friends,

    It was my pleasure to share my experience at the Union Square FdM event and am delighted you are enjoying the pictures. Thanks to you all for the kind feedback. MaiTai - your contest idea is simply marvelous!

    Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

    Warmly,

    Lady B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much again for the joy you brought to so many, dear Lady B. Your reportage and pics have been such a wonderful treat. Mille merci!

      Delete