The Hermes scarf has a rich heritage.  Hermes scarves have been embraced by some of history’s most beautiful fashion icons including Jacqueline Kennedy, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly (who wore a scarf as a sling when she broke her arm), Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn and Queen Elizabeth.  Today’s fans include Rihanna, Ashley Olsen, Blake Lively, Miranda Kerr, Kate Hudson and Kim Kardashian. 

The first Hermes scarf “Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches” debuted in 1937 and was based on a woodblock drawing by Robert Dumas, a member of the Hermes family.  The silk twill used was the same silk used for the jockey’s jackets and remains the mainstay of the Hermes scarf line.  Initial creations were based on things equine, consistent with Hermes’ core product line, but eventually the prints expanded beyond the equestrian world.

Hermes typically introduces 12 designs twice a year, of which half are brand new designs and half are reissues of previously offered scarves. New designs have centered around an annual theme since 1987.  Hermes has a reputation of identifying talented artists who are not well known to create artwork for its scarves. One of the best known of Hermes’ artists is Kermit Oliver, a Texas postal worker and hobby painter, who was discovered at a Waco art fair by Jean-Louis Dumas. 

Hermes scarves are beautifully crafted.  A single scarf design takes up up to 18 months and 800 hours of engraving and silk screening to produce.  The result is a masterpiece of design and color, with the typical scarf averaging of 27 different colors.  Each scarf is hand-stitched, hand-rolled and hand-folded. 

Hermes scarves vary in size from 16cm square to 140cm square and come in a variety of silks and silk and cashmere blends.  The most popular remains the original 90cm silk twill, which is approximately a 35.5” square.  The 90cm scarf can be worn in a variety of ways in addition including as a headband, neck scarf, belt and halter top.  In fact, the options are so diverse that Hermes has created Knotting Cards and Knotting Books to illustrate the various ways to wear its scarves.  Hermes scarves go beyond wearable art; they are also perfect for home décor.  Hermes scarves can often be found framed and hung in homes and offices in lieu of traditional paintings or prints or stuffed and used as decorative pillows.

Hermes scarves are probably the most collected of Hermes’ products.  With an almost 80-year history of production, these gorgeous silks are cherished and handed down generation after generation.