The man
Vif-argent “Quicksilver”, Passe-partout, Fil de fer “Wire”… His numerous nicknames betray the humour –indeed impertinence!– and keen mind this travel-and-speed enthusiast was known for. A creative character with an insatiable curiosity and an open, independent mind, Émile Hermès built the House on innovation and trust from 1921 to 1951.

Acutely perceptive and a good listener, and as attentive to young people’s ambitions for the future as he was to things of the past, this man of conviction surrounded himself with creators, inventors and artists whose fertile imaginations he guided toward functionality, inventiveness and refinement to provide Hermès with a range of extremely varied and innovative objects.

His role
The first half of the 20th century represents for Hermès a period of ambitious and groundbreaking developments. During this time, Émile Hermès made his mark in terms of openness, risk-taking and peerless discernment:
• with product diversification (the birth of the silk scarf in 1937);
• by maintaining the intimate relationship between the craftsman and the object in the age of Taylorisation;
• with the innovations he brought back from his travels, which he put to revolutionary use. One such innovation was the zip. Originally intended to close car hoods, he adapted it to handbags.

“Émile objects”
Created by Hermès under the aegis of Émile Hermès, “Émile objects” represent the boldness and confidence Émile Hermès instilled in his young designers. These objects are a world unto themselves, reflecting a time when usefulness and the relationship of the object to its function were very present in the minds of designers.

Simplicity and ease of use

Useful object:
— The essentials, Hermès catalogue 1925, (photo by Draeger Frères)
— Travel kit, 1930
Travel object:
— “Travailleuse” foldable sewing kit
Intelligent object:
— Cuff with pockets

Efficiency, functionality

Transformable object:
— Untippable metal service for yachting
Multi-use object:
— Belt with watch for golfing, 1928
— Trunk opening into a yacht or beach chair, Hermès catalogue 1930-1931 (photo by Draeger frères)

Everyday intelligence, in the image of “quicksilver”

Cleverness, humour:
— Zip, Hermès catalogue 1922 “À la gloire de la fermeture Éclair” (photo by Draeger Frères)
— Brantôme umbrella with built-in pencil for betting at the races, Hermès catalogue,1935 (photo by Draeger Frères)

Games, pocket-size objects

— Pocket-size cigarette holder, Hermès catalogue 1923, (photo by Draeger Frères)

Refinement and elegance

— “L’Homme raffiné”, Hermès catalogue 1925, (photo by Draeger Frères)