Hermès debut at Milan’s furniture fair 2011 was one of the most anticipated openings from the iconic luxury brand. One of the key elements for this successful first appearance in Milan was the combination of a powerful architectural duo, that of Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, who designed the exhibition space and the selection of designers Enzo Mari, Antonio Citterio and RDAI Studio.
Hermès’ creative director Pierre-Alexis Dumas has called architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, who also designed Centre Pompidou in Metz to design the Hermès Pavillion. The beautiful exhibition space made out of cardboard tubes woven with paper aimed at creating a set of a nomadic modular structure. The Pavillion’s configuration incorporated ceilings with different heights and rooms of different sizes making in such a way some of the spaces to feel more private and some others as if to be shared. The whole setting was also designed to make the viewers see themselves with the Hermès lifestyle.
Strong, imposing, lavishing and comfortable are the words to describe the new Métiers collection, which combines high quality materials and some stunning details. Enzo Mari designed a desk, a chair and a small storage coffer. The desk covered in smooth bull calf gives flair of luxury and sustainability. The chair made from Canaletto walnut, the noblest wood according to Mari, polished to a silken finish, is a beautiful object, which represents Hermès’ elegance and high quality craftsmanship. The storage coffer, with geometric marquetry also stands out as a unique piece, which has a storage drawer, covered in leather. The combination of wood and leather further enhance a sense of class and the smooth finishes of the furniture emphasize their clean lines. The stunning marble tables by Mari one oval and one round, with legs covered in smooth bull calf leather epitomize the sophisticated character of the brand
Part of the Hermès furniture collection, is the Matières Collection by Antonio Citterio who was fascinated by the tradition of French decorators embodied by Jean-Michel Frank. Drawing inspiration from the nomadic origins of Egyptian or Greek folding stools, and the Pippa collection of folding furniture designed by RDAI studio - Rena Dumas and Peter Coles - in 1987, Citterio creates some remarkable pieces that merge the traditional and the contemporary in unexpected ways. Here again wood meets leather and steel and fabric.
