From the skill needed to saddle-stitch a Kelly bag and print colors on silk scarves to the patience required when placing diamonds on Chaîne d’Ancre bracelets and painting designs on white porcelain plates, Hermès prides itself on its craftsmanship. Starting today, metro Detroiters can get a closer look at the attention to detail that goes into creating the French luxury brand’s goods. Hermès in the Making, a traveling exhibition that puts its artisans’ expertise on display, is at Somerset Collection in Troy through June 15.
The exhibition is set in an open-plan layout inspired by a craftsman’s workbench. Visitors can explore four themes — Preservation and Transmission of Know-How, Respect For and Quality of Materials, Commitment to Long-term, and Regional Anchoring — that speak to the brand’s ethos. With their tools and materials in tow, French and U.S. artisans from nearly 10 of Hermès’ different metiers are onsite to share their knowledge through live demonstrations. Guests can learn about specialties such as silk printing, leather reparation, and leather and saddle making.
The exhibit also features interactive activities, including workshops on dexterity and coloring. And visitors can watch films from Footsteps across the World. The documentary collection, which was produced by French film director Frédéric Laffont, explores Hermès’ commitment to sustainability.
Hermès in the Making can be found behind the brand’s boutique on the south side of Somerset Collection. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, and there is no cost for admission.
The Somerset Collection event is Hermès in the Making’s third stop. The exhibit opened in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2021 and attracted nearly 45,000 visitors. It was most recently held in Turin, Italy, in May. Following its stop in Troy, it will travel to Singapore in September; Austin, Texas, in October; and Kyoto, Japan, in November.
For more information, visit hermes.com.
|
|
|
