Hermes is a French luxury goods manufacturer founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes as a harness workshop in Paris. The company remains family-controlled, with descendants of the founder holding a majority stake, and is publicly listed on Euronext Paris. Hermes operates across sixteen product divisions, including leather goods, ready-to-wear, silk and textiles, perfumes, watches, jewelry, and home furnishings.
The brand's most recognized products are the Birkin bag, introduced in 1984, and the Kelly bag, named after Grace Kelly. Both are handcrafted by individual artisans at Hermes leather workshops in France, with production of a single bag taking approximately 18 to 24 hours. Hermes maintains strict production limits and does not discount its products, resulting in extended waiting periods and strong secondary market values.
Hermes silk scarves, known as carres, have been produced since 1937 and are printed in the brand's facility in Lyon. The company also operates a watchmaking division based in Switzerland and a perfume division whose fragrances include Terre d'Hermes and Twilly d'Hermes. The jewelry division produces both fine and high jewelry collections.
The company operates over 300 stores globally and sells through its own e-commerce platform. Hermes has remained independent from the major luxury conglomerates. LVMH acquired a minority stake between 2001 and 2014 but divested following legal proceedings. Hermes reported revenue of approximately 13.4 billion euros in 2023. The brand's approach to growth emphasizes controlled expansion, artisanal production, and long-term desirability over volume.