Horse Connection

Danae Blythe

Anchored between only the elite names in Paris fashion, Hermes has stood polished and pristine since 1837. Chanel, Dolce, each empire has a store window on or near Rue du Faubourg saint Honoré, but Hermes has an entire corner block. Just as Hermes’ U.S. counterparts honorably display the famous mounted equestrian statue waving the Hermes“H” flag, Paris has the original-atop one of the most famous shopping stretches in the world. This equestrian mascot has no doubt seen it all. Loyal and noble, he has seen new designers come and go, legendary icons, stars, and European royalty shop these famous Paris shopping streets for over a decade.

Of course the Paris Hermes shop delivers the high-end, couture Paris clout one would expect. A guard opens the door to the street, and a different guard escorts shoppers out. Everyone is matching in his or her black attire and impeccable grooming standard. I am greeted with warmth and sincerity; either HC carries a lot of weight, or the French don’t represent the stuffy stereotype so flippantly always assigned to them. Fabrice Crespel, who is the worldwide equestrian manager, myself and Mathilde head towards the elevator. It is a typical French elevator, utterly cozy – and with little room to escape the evidence of my previous run-through at the fragrance bar. There are three floors of ready-to-wear leather goods and accessories, but HC went straight to the top for an exclusive tour of the Saddle Shop.

Here, there are no sales people in black stilettos. There are just the saddle makers and their tools. To my right are cases of tree frames; to my left, individual stations adorned by leather templates, pictures of loved ones, and tools of the trade. Now, even long after they all have gone home, you can still feel the camaraderie and work ethic that is shared in that space everyday and over the last hundred years.

Patrick Stafler leads the team with nineteen years at Hermes. Everything Patrick does is guaranteed with his signature, from twenty to one hundred hours of work; it is assured to be the most precise craftsmanship offered within the equestrian industry. While Patrick clocks the most experience, the select others are certainly not green to the trade. They are selected for their talent, and are only brought on in the rare occasion that a team member has left. France is not known for its revolving door when it comes to employment, and Hermes is no exception. Initial training is usually one year in length; the complete training process takes up to three. Thus, during this training period, a more seasoned craftsman will oversee their work, their morale, and their production until at the end of their third year of training, when they will be appointed an exceptional piece to complete as a reward – and a testament – to their dedication to the Hermes name.

Behind Patrick’s workstation is a collection of notebooks dating back through 1912. Inside are the humble measurements and customer information logged throughout the years. This collection of penned notebooks is just one of the modest representations of Hermes’ devotion to an uncompromised level of customer service. This commitment to excellence continues throughout the entire saddle-making process from beginning to end. There are between four and six hundred saddles created in Paris alone each year. Here at home, you may not visit the Paris shop, but you will however receive a visit from the East or West Coast Hermes equestrian specialist whom will measure you, and the appointed horse.

After measurements are taken, you are then able to pick from a selection of disciplined styled saddlery, or of course, you can design your own - with silk, platinum, essentially any moldable material you wish. In this business, Hermes has done and seen it all. With exact measurements to you and your horse, Hermes is capable of producing a saddle fit for a lifetime of competitive use, garnished with platinum stirrups for the lavishly indulgent equestrian. Whichever the request may be, each stitch, each cut, is backed with Hermes’ lifetime of care.

Though the saddle shop is behind (or rather atop) the scene of the illustrious Paris storefront, Dominique is not. Dominique does the repairs and maintenance to customer’s saddles right downstairs, beside the equestrian lines showcased for retail. Underneath a vintage horse statue, Dominique has been polishing and invigorating Hermes customer equestrian gear for over thirty years. Though the formal entrance to the equestrian repair and ordering facility is down the block from the retail space, it is clear that Hermes wants the public to see Dominique doing what he does best, in the middle of the regal Paris shoppers, not behind closed doors.

It’s this uncompromised commitment to the fashion, retail and equestrian industries that Hermes stays at the forefront of high fashion worldwide, backed by a reputation built on consistent production of a superior quality of work. New York equestrian manager Julien Lecomte, explains that Hermes is tirelessly researching and educating themselves and their customers according to the newest materials and concepts available on the market. And while many names in the equestrian industry stand still and base designs and products around old technology, Julien knows that Hermes is different; always adapting and looking for the next innovative step to implement in keeping with the ever-changing momentum of the industry. After Hermes sold out and went on backorder almost immediately upon launch of their carbon fiber helmet, it is no doubt telling to hear Julien, a French man working for a very traditional French company declare: “When you ski, you don’t ski with your grandfather’s skis anymore.”

Hermes saddlery will continue to be offered at a limited supply, thus insuring that Hermes’ sophistication and level of quality never be compromised. Hermes is due to launch a new addition to their equestrian product portfolio in early 2009. Look to HC for first coverage and exposure of this new Hermes line.