It's
been a long time since my last post on the window decorations at the
Hermès flagship store in the Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (FSH).. all
recent Paris visits have coincided with the windows being redecorated.
A couple of weeks ago I was so excited to see from far away that the orange blinds weren't drawn this time, and was much looking forward to capturing the treasures on display, only that after taking a few shots I must have inadvertently pressed a wrong button and changed my camera's settings to 'low-resolution'. The result has been that most of the pictures are blurry and unusable, and only a few have survived.
The windows themselves were modern and had a spacelab theme, which was my only consolation.. I would have been crestfallen had I missed out on bringing back pictures of opulent and romantic winter displays, and might have had to take a train back the next day!
So here are the few pictures which are kind of acceptable. To make up for this, part II of the 'Postcard from Paris' is coming very soon. Have a wonderful weekend everyone xx
A couple of weeks ago I was so excited to see from far away that the orange blinds weren't drawn this time, and was much looking forward to capturing the treasures on display, only that after taking a few shots I must have inadvertently pressed a wrong button and changed my camera's settings to 'low-resolution'. The result has been that most of the pictures are blurry and unusable, and only a few have survived.
The windows themselves were modern and had a spacelab theme, which was my only consolation.. I would have been crestfallen had I missed out on bringing back pictures of opulent and romantic winter displays, and might have had to take a train back the next day!
So here are the few pictures which are kind of acceptable. To make up for this, part II of the 'Postcard from Paris' is coming very soon. Have a wonderful weekend everyone xx
here's where the low resolution starts... so sorry
Thanks dearest MT for sharing again these treasures with us, I can imagine all of us scanning H windows! Amazing and so poetic whale of a time and sea of scarves, but I have to say that I miss Leïla Menchari….
ReplyDeleteCongrats for your perfect blue and camel look, and of course your new creation fer a cheval is on top of my list!
Catherine
So happy you like the new fer à cheval, thank you dearest Catherine! I don't know who does the Rue de Sèvres windows, but as far as I know Leïla Menchari still creates them for FSH...unless I missed something. Hope her next creations will be opulent again, these are my favorite ones!
DeleteI red that Leïla Menchari (1928), decided to stop creating windows during 2014 and that she was planning to be the « Hermès colour and design Manager » for carrés and all H textile. Let’s hope I’m wrong :-), her opulent windows were masterpieces.
DeleteHave a nice and relaxing week-end.
C.
Boo hoo hoo... I just googled, and you are right, dearest Catherine. This explains why there were no 'Leïla-esque' windows in recent times. Makes me cherish every single one I have seen and I feel very lucky to have captured pictures of so many. Nothing will ever come close to her wonderful displays.. here's to all the wonder and magic she brought us. Have a lovely weekend too x
DeleteI will miss her, too, Catherine, along with Jean Louis Dumas, as well - two of the greats in H. history.
DeleteLike MT, I'm very happy that I got to see several of her creations, and on one occasion, I actually saw Leila at work creating her masterpieces right there in the big side windows.
I guess change is usually a good thing, but I will certainly miss her over-the-top creations.
Best to you,
Jerrine
Oh Jerrine, how lucky you’ve been seeing her in action. I would have loved to be a little mouse hidden in a corner of « Aladdin’s cave «
DeleteWell, let’s add another coffee table book to MT’ s list of projects, (then be sure she will be over over booked for the next 20 years!) : H windows .
Take care,
Catherine xx
I think she was just making an adjustment, Catherine, as the windows are blocked off during major installations, but it was fun to see her in the flesh. I don't think you'd want to be a little mouse in the corner, though. No doubt, she would pluck you out of that corner, gild you, drape an H. bijoux on you, and you'd be a part of her display!
DeleteIn case we don't want to over burden MT, there was a wonderful book published on Ms. Menchari's window displays several years ago. At one time it was for sale in the H. boutiques, and I now kick myself for not buying it, as it's now out of print.
When you do find one, they're selling for around $500!
Still kicking myself,
Jerrine
I was also looking for this book edited in 1999 and we can kick ourselves together my dearest Jerrine! The library Place des libraires, rue de Rivoli asked me 1500€ for this book last year! If I remember well I told them they were thieves....
Delete:-(
C.
GOOD GRIEF. QUELLE HORREUR - 1500 Euro ($1,680 US)! I should have bought that one I saw for $500.
DeleteI'm glad you told them where they could put their book, Catherine!
Still shaking my head in . . . horreur,
Jerrine
I didn't know you have also this way of saying it in english ("where they could put their book"), we have exactly the same expression in french! I do not understand why Hermes is not asking for a re-edition of their books.... with an update from 1999 to 2015 that would really worth it and all the swans in Le Salon would buy it. C.
DeleteCatherine, the rest of that saying here is . . . where the sun don't shine! I'm betting it's about the same in French. Some things are universal after all!
DeleteI've wondered the same about the books. Why? Why? Why? Well the answer is, I think, as it is with anything H-related, it's Hermes! There is no rhyme or reason.
Wouldn't it have been nice if they had reissued the window displays book in Ms. Menchari's honor when she retired?
Oh, well,
Jerrine
I think these pics look divine, no matter the camera snafu darling MT! Out of this world these Hermes windows are and they ever fail to delight!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for indulging us, yet again! Love taking these jaunts with you<3
Have a wonderful weekend,! Mwahs , T xx
The splendor of the subject certainly makes up for the technical shortcomings, darling Trudye! I always think of you and the other swans when taking the pics, thanks so much for coming along <3 Have a most wonderful weekend too xx
DeleteDear Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteEven in small sizes the pictures of H in Paris are
Very representative of all what I would like to have....
I love the chevron Kelly in grey/blue.
Amities
Oh that chevron Kelly...it stole my heart too, dear Monica! The colors of everything were just magnificent, a real dream. Amitiés
Delete:-) The pictures shown here make me want to go to Paris NOW! Lovely shots of the windows. I especially like the dark green Kelly and the Sea of Whales!
ReplyDeleteThe camera thing - it relieves me to hear that I'm not the only one whom there things happen to, dear MaiTai ;-)
Have a very HAPPY weekend :-)
Relief to hear that I'm not the only one either, dearest HappyFace ;) It is awful though when it happens, hope it never does again for both of us! Have a most lovely weekend too x
DeleteDear MaiTai,
ReplyDeletethank you for this post about FSH again.
When I´m honest I have to say I miss your weekly posts so much.
Since the last summer break I longed so bad for new posts about Hermès, your region in France or new items to buy.
It´s always so interesting and impressive to hear from you. I´m not so „glowing“ for instagram. Because thats always only a
short snapshot and no story or much information. I´m sure you are very busy and blogging is very time-consuming, but I
wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your blog and your stories you tell us.
Have a wonderful weekend! Gabriele
Dear Gabriele, - I am so touched by your comment, thank you so much for the lovely words. You are absolutely right about the blog.. no other place has room to tell a story, which is something I really love doing (and so happy that you enjoy!). The blog has also become our beloved ‘Salon’, where we can all gather and exchange…it really is the heart and soul of everything. After the summer break life has been incredibly busy, and posting regularly was very difficult. I hope things will become a little bit calmer in the coming months, and to get back into a more regular rhythm (although perhaps not once a week) Thanks so much again, and have a most wonderful weekend too x
DeleteNo need for apologies, dearest MT. Your pictures are brilliant, in spite of that beastly camera! Both window themes are equally trop cool! And...loving the completely impractical scarf jumping boots. Have you seen the Van slip on sneakers that are done with Hermès scarves? I'd live to get my hands on a pair. Looking forward to your next post, and, as always, have a stellar week!
ReplyDeleteThe silk covered jumping boots might be perfect for when taking a ride on the mink saddle, lol. Just googled H/Van sneakers...omg, they are just stunning. Now how to persuade RV's Bruno Frisoni to do the same for us with Belle Viviers!
DeleteThank You MaiTai....I too think the pictures are lovely. I am always happy to see these posts featuring the window displays. Cathy W.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Cathy, so happy you enjoyed the post!
DeleteEven with technical difficulties, your photos make me wish I was on the streets of Paris to enjoy the scene for myself! I love the turquoise, camel and grey--how perfect for this transitional time of the year when we're just beginning to long for spring. Thanks, as always, for taking us with you on your travels!
ReplyDeleteWell, MT, if you think these photos are sub-par, I will certainly NOT show you mine!
ReplyDeleteThe special "window objects" are as sumptuous as usual, but the windows do lack that "I've fallen into Aladdin's cave" feeling created so effectively by Ms. Menchari. But, I suppose she deserves her rest. She was certainly one of the forces that brought Hermes to prominence.
Eventhough the new windows are more minimal and almost austere in comparison, they're still fabulous, made so by the fanciiful object they display.
Thanks, as always, for sharing them with us.
Best to you and the Swans,
Jerrine
I just LOVE your description of Ms. Menchari's work: "I've fallen into Aladdin's cave." How perfectly appropriate for something divine and sumptuous, because even though these windows were lovely, the were a bit minimalist. But how fabulous was the Sea of Scarves? Throw me overboard!
DeleteGreta
Yes, Greta, that "sea of scarves" was fabulous . . . and very creative, which is typical of the Sevres windows.
DeleteI think that while the FSH windows go for opulence, the rue Sevres focus on creativity and wit. Hermes certainly make both concepts work well, don't they?
Best,
Jerrine
Dearest Maitai, despite the technical problems, your pictures of Hermes at the FSH are just superbe! I love the sea of silk from Rue de Sevres too. How I long to go back to Paris though I've been there almost every year in the last years.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking us along with you.
I'm also sorry to hear that Leila Manchari no longer creates the windows for Hermes. So happy we got the chance to see them through your lens.
Have a wonderful weekend dearest friend <3.
Big hugs to you and the swan sisters, Manuela xx
Dear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see all the FSH pictures again on the blog and to hear so many more little details. My passion for this brand is growing with every single photo and it's about time to go to Paris and see these wonders with my own eyes. Up until then I'm more than grateful that you take us along on your journeys big and small and let us see with your eyes - which have an amazing zoom for things I may pass without noticing. Agree with dear Jerrine - you wouldn't want to see my pictures either...
Please keep them coming!
Wonderful weekend for you and all swans,
Katja
I'm sure that yours are better than mine, Katja. I took all the photos at my brother's wedding many years ago with the lens cap on! Duh . . .
DeleteMaybe we should just leave the photos to MT. She's the true photographic artist, right?
All the best,
Jerrine
You made me laugh, dear Jerrine, you're the best...Yes, dear MaiTai's pictures are beyond comparison, and I'd still say worth printing - maybe one more book with Menchari's window displays, since you missed out on that one? Will search the net right away and then I will join you kicking...
DeleteKatja
Katja, prepare to faint dead away if you find a copy. (See Catherine's post above. Yikes!)
DeleteBest,
Jerrine
I saw some second hands on the net at around 250/500 euros. This library is really a crook.
DeleteC.
Dear MaiTai, Thank you for the beautiful images here and on Instagram. I come here often and rarely comment so I must send you a big Merci for providing this beautiful place - complete with lovely swans! I adore the blog,it is my favorite and always feels aesthetically so in sync with what I find beautiful in fashion and in life. And now with Instagram every day it is possible to enjoy a little moment of beauty and fun. I am so happy to be twins with you on the Cavalleria d'Etriers CSGM, which is my favorite treasure from F/W2015. Now I am pairing it with camel after seeing your beautiful styling photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for all the work that goes into these wonderful posts - -it is so appreciated. I hope you have a beautiful weekend. Helane
I completely join the comment of Gabriele, I am also missing your more general fréquents posts and beautifull puctures on the blog.... I love them so much... But I understand that you are very busy dear MT.
ReplyDeleteAmities
Dear Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteThe fur collars arrived yesterday and are every bit as lovely as I'd hoped!
Thank you,
Rebecca
Yea, Rebecca - another fur-draped Swan in the pond! And, you didn't pay a bit of duty, did you?
DeleteShopping with MT is so pleasant and so hassle-free. It's always a thrill to find one of her packages waiting for me when I get home. Instead of ripping right into it, I savor the experience, make a cup of tea, admire the packaging, roll up the pink ribbon and just enjoy all the loveliness.
All the best to you,
Jerrine
Ah, dear MaiTai, some day I will get to Paris. But until then, I can come here and enjoy your pictures (of all resolutions). Thank you, and very warm aloha to all the lovely Swans!
ReplyDeleteTes photos sont très belles quand même.Je trouve que les vitrines sont moins belles depuis que c'est le nouveau décorateur !
ReplyDeletePasse une belle semaine .Bises ma chère Maitai.Bonne semaines aux cygnes
Merci Fifi belle semaine a vous Myriam
ReplyDeleteMerci Myriam!
Delete