A Rendez-Vous With Hermès Craftsmen

Patience, passion and extreme dedication to craftsmanship are three things that immediately come to mind when I reflect on my experience at Festival des Métiers. Giving us a behind-the-scenes look at Hermès, the talented craftspeople (flown in from France) are in Toronto to reveal their secrets!

The artisans have set up shop at the Design Exchange to demonstrate their masterful techniques and answer any questions curious admirers like me have. Each workstation is dedicated to a specific craft – from the Saddle Maker (I didn’t know that saddle-making was the first craft at Hermès) to the Leatherworker (this is your chance to see how a Kelly bag is made).

Each product is diligently handmade using techniques that have been passed down through generations…

There were four stations that really blew me away:

The Silk Printer: The silk screening process is absolutely captivating. Watching a piece of white silk transform into a stunning scarf was a real treat. There are so many meticulous steps and talented people involved in the creation of a single scarf (a process that can take up to two years!) Oh, and for all of you artists out there: Hermès constantly scouts new talent around the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8U83wPA_ZI

The Glove Maker: I watched in awe as the glove maker walked me through every step of his craft. As he diligently stretched the leather in front of me, he revealed that there are only 60 craftsman who specialize in glove-making at Hermès (each specializing in a specific task – from cutting the leather using a hydraulic press to stitching the silk or cashmere lining inside).

The Twin-Set Linker: Donatella is an incredible talent who’s been sewing at Hermès for 27 years (and the machine sitting beside her was just as old – her “best friend” she admitted as she chuckled). Although she didn’t speak a word of English, I immediately sensed her passion, love and pride as she linked each piece of cashmere and silk to create beautiful clothes. And no, she isn’t making high-end baby apparel: Hermès makes mini sample designs!

The Gem Setter: With a microscope and countless tools surrounding him, the gem setter patiently placed 999 diamonds into each pyramid stud for the Collier de Chien bracelet. Like a dentist/surgeon, his fingers worked with incredible precision to drill a tiny home for each diamond. He told me that the goal is to set the diamonds without using any glue and that it will take him three weeks to finish one bracelet!

The craftsmen at the exhibit have given me a newfound appreciation for Hermès. Their impeccable attention to detail, sheer talent and the countless hours of work they pour into each product justifies the hefty price tags of the coveted brand. This is not machine-manufactured and mass-produced fashion: it’s artisanship at its best.

Toronto is the first Canadian stop for Festival des Métiers (they’ve been travelling around the world for over two years). I highly recommend that you check out the free exhibit at the Design Exchange. I promise that you’ll meet some incredible craftspeople: the pride of Hermès.