The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding
8 min read

Journey through Tradition and Elegance

Hermès stands as one of the most esteemed brands in the fashion industry’s history. Across generations, the management of this familial enterprise has endured, overseeing a consistent improvement in the company’s fortunes since its establishment.

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The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Despite the company’s expansion and diversification, its steadfast dedication to catering to the contemporary elite has remained unchanged. If you’re in the USA and seeking top-notch logo design services, explore our offerings to craft a logo that reflects your brand’s sophistication and exclusivity.

The intriguing tale of the Hermès family and their business, entwined with the importance of the Hermès logo and branding, finds its roots in the crafting of exquisite leather goods. If you’re interested in delving into this narrative while seeking online logo designers, explore our services for a symbol that resonates with your brand.

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The meaning and significance

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

The Hermès logo draws inspiration from the company’s roots. Created well after the company was first established, it was revealed in 1950.

The Hermès logo was supposedly inspired by a painting by the French artist Alfred de Dreux titled “Le Duc Attele, Groom a L’Attente,” depicting a horse-drawn carriage waiting for the groom. There has been a lot of recent analysis that has pointed out the striking similarities between the two works.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Hermès’ logo design features a horse as the primary symbol, representing the company’s original mission of producing horse-related goods. The logo is often accompanied by the company name and headquarters, with the name “Paris” in a sans-serif typeface and the brand colors orange and black, chosen due to scarcity of materials during World War II.

What is the meaning of the name, Hermès?

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Hermès, founded by Thierry Hermès, has maintained its name since its inception over two centuries. Grandsons Emile-Maurice and Adolphe renamed it Hermès Frères, symbolizing the company’s ideals. Success is attributed to marketing, runway shows, and a strong product reputation.

The versions of the Hermès logo design

Hermès logo, symbolizing quality manufacturing of basic necessities, could be reimagined for free. Create similar designs to preserve these customs.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding
The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

4 fun facts about Hermès you won’t believe

From an e-commerce legacy to the iconic Birkin bag, here are 4 of the juiciest facts about the iconic French brand Hermès.

1. Hermès was one of the first fashion brands to launch an online store

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

When they opened shop online in 2001, they revolutionized their industry. Mulberry’s didn’t debut until 2013; Chanel and Fendi didn’t have websites until 2016; and Prada didn’t go live until 2017.

2. La Maison des Carrés scarves are made from the silk of 300 moths

Hermès uses natural, high-quality materials for their products, resulting in some of the best items on the market. However, these high-quality items are costly and time-consuming to create.

3. It takes 48 hours of work to make one Birkin Bag

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

These handbags are priced extremely high, as they should be. These handbags can take up to a week to make because they are made from the highest quality natural products, primarily leather and other animal skins. One bag takes 48 hours to make, and the average time it takes for one worker to finish a bag is one week.

4. The Birkin name was almost removed from the bag

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

In 2015, the company faced backlash from animal rights group PETA due to allegations of inhumane treatment of crocodiles used in the production of the Birkin bag. Since the case had gotten so bad, Jane Birkin asked to have her name cleared.

Although the Birkin name was not changed, a small buy-in agreement was reached between PETA and Hermès that gives PETA access to the company’s annual ethics meetings.

Centuries of tradition: A brief history of Hermès

This story begins with Thierry Hermès, born in a small town in Germany on January 10, 1801. Born into a family of innkeepers, Thierry was the youngest in his family, many of whom would go on to fight and die in the Napoleonic wars. Thierry would tragically lose most of his family, either to wars or disease.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Thierry moved to Paris in 1828 to learn leather-making and established a workshop in 1837. He created high-quality bridles, harnesses, and saddles for French noblemen.

After Thierry’s death in 1887, his son Charles-Emile expanded Hermès to the elite, introducing the Haut à Courroies bag.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Charles-Emile passed Hermès to his sons, Adolphe and Emile-Maurice, who introduced the zipper. Hermès grew and eventually hired 80 employees by 1914. In 1922, they introduced leather handbags, a smaller version of saddle bags, after Emile-Maurice’s wife couldn’t find suitable options.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

In 1925, they introduced a golf jacket, jewelry, watches, and shoes. In 1938, they introduced a silk scarf, ties, and perfumes, becoming a significant part of their brand.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

After Emile-Maurice’s death in 1951, Robert Dumas took over Hermès, leading to major breakthroughs like the Kelly bag, famously used by Monaco’s princess to cover her pregnancy, featured on magazine covers.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Hermès, a luxury goods company, gained fame with the “Kelly bag” and later the iconic Birkin bag. The brand expanded in the 1960s and 1970s, using natural materials despite competition. Jean-Louis Dumas, the great-grandson of Thierry Hermès, modernized the company and diversified into ready-to-wear, leather goods, and silk scarves.

The Birkin bag was created by Jane Birkin and Dumas, who used a wicker basket for her belongings.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Dumas and Birkin collaborated on a bag for a woman who lost her belongings during a flight. The bag, known for its high price and long waiting list, became a rarest item, selling for nearly $500,000.

The Evolution of Hermès’ Iconic Logo Decades Of History & Branding

Hermès, a luxury brand with a rich history and tradition, experienced rapid growth under the leadership of Jean Louis’s nephew, Axel Dumas, from 2005 to 2013.

FAQs

1. Is Hermès the most luxury brand?

It is definitely one of the most luxurious fashion brands in the world. The company now runs 311 stores in the United States, Russia, and Asia and employs over 15,000. It is one of the largest and most admired luxury manufacturers worldwide, with revenues of over USD 8.3 billion and profits of over USD 1.8 billion.

2. Why are Hermès bags so rare?

Because they’re pieces of art, indeed. Hermès is a luxury fashion house that places a premium on handiwork. According to the Hermès credo,”one craftsman, one bag,” each Birkin is made by a single artisan in one of their dedicated ateliers over the course of about 40 hours.

3. How do you pronounce Hermès?

The name Hermès is pronounced ehr-mez. The ‘h’ is dropped because Hermès is a French name. The accent on the second e makes the s sound much softer than it would otherwise, despite the fact that normally in French, if a word ends in ‘s,’ it is silent.

Conclusion

‍The Hermès brand epitomizes luxury goods, a legacy that will endure into the future. With centuries of refinement, the company has fortified its reputation on a bedrock of excellence. Whether honoring its esteemed clientele’s affection for its handbags or adhering to its tradition of utilizing only the finest materials, Hermès remains rooted in its heritage.

Even its iconic logo reflects the company’s enduring reliability and uncompromising standards. This design house masterfully balances innovation with a profound reverence for tradition, setting a benchmark for other companies to emulate. This harmony has been instrumental in Hermès’ remarkable success and universal acclaim.

For businesses seeking inspiration, Hermès serves as a prime example of how to navigate the dynamic landscape of branding. Explore the services of the best logo design companies and logo design agencies, like ours, to elevate your brand identity and establish a lasting impression in the professional logo design market.

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James D a v i d 2
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