Hermes Should Be Ashamed of Itself

I'm keeping the below post as I wrote it because it was honest, but after writing it I learned of the gross, out-of-touch and appalling framework for Hermes' DC opening, in particular that the party was for a one per center elite and in bad form. Kate Bennett on Politico reported that guests were invited on the basis of having spent a $85,000 at Hermes, and then Robin Givhan explored the tasteless dinner. Honestly, does this company know what city it was in, the nation's capital, the government, where the average worker is doing the business of the people with their tax dollars and not loading up on $10,000 handbags? This is not Palm Beach or Abu Dhabi. It was also the immediate aftermath of riots in Baltimore. Had they ever heard of the concept of toning it down, good taste, appropriate behavior and so forth? Apparently not.

Anyway, here is what I wrote, but its of a Hermes of an earlier, gentler time. Still, I now have more reason than ever to sell the stuff. Distance myself. Happily. 

When I first discovered Hermes it was in a tiny boutique near Tiffany's on East 57th Street, just off Fifth, in Manhattan. It was where Jackie Onassis would come to buy her equestrian-themed fine leather goods. She was known in particular for carrying the "Constance" bag. Also famous, named for Grace Kelley, was the "Kelly" bag. Of course, I had to have one of each. 

Hermes was available in Washington, too. The Garfinckel's Department store at 14th and F (now the Hamilton) had a small counter, where they sold a few hand bags and mostly scarves and ties. It was there that I got my first Hermes scarf - a design of pink peonies - a collection that grew over the years to probably 250 or more scarves. I've sold most of them, but still have a sentimental collection. I sold some of the hand bags, too, but kept a few, including Constance and Kellys.

Back when I was a Hermes regular, I also bought their toile beach pareus and beach towels, enamel bracelets and earrings, great silver neck chains and other silver jewelry. I still have some of it.  I wore the perfume, too: Caleche. But, as they say, that was then.

Now Hermes is a huge global brand (as my budget has gone from Champagne to fruit-flavored water) and Manhattan has more than a few stores, and there are stores also in Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Boston and Denver, to name only some. If you are a fan of Hermes, you owe it to yourself to go to the Paris store. That's a wow. We've had Hermes in suburban Virginia for quite a while, out at Tysons Corner.  And this week we got one in downtown Washington, too, at CityCenter. It opened with a Champagne party and a seated dinner. 

There's a lot of wealth around in 2015, crazy wealth, and this store is aimed at that market. Men's ties start at $200. They have home goods, too -- beautiful plates, flatware, serving pieces, accessories. And, of course, clothing and leather goods.

You don't have to be a billionaire to go in and look around, though. Just as when I first discovered Hermes more than 30 years ago, the company still maintains a high level of quality. And if you have the bucks, jump in and splurge. Whatever you buy will last and last and last. Hermes is the opposite of the modern trend of disposable wearables. 

 

Here's one thing to remember about the Hermes store. It's next door to one of my favorite restaurants, DBGB Kitchen + Bar, which now with the warm weather has its glass walls pushed open to the air ... and a view of Hermes.

DBGB Kitchen +Bar and Hermes -- side by side at CityCenter. Soon to open, another well-known luxury brand, Louis Vuitton. I know them well, too. Crossing my fingers this big push on high end retail, and the customer who can afford to play, works out well for CityCenter.