It is just 90 centimeters and 65 grams of silk, yet it takes two years to create a single Hermes scarf. Technically, the process begins in Brazil, where the silk is spun from cocoons woven by the larvae of 250 silk moths. As the silk is spinning in Brazil, the design process begins in Lyon, France, where all of the designers are briefed on what the theme of the season’s collection will be. Then, over fifty artists create designs for the ten scarves to be produced that season. After many months it takes to create the designs, an engraver will make a silk screen for each different color that will appear on each scarf. If there are thirty colors in one scarf, he must create thirty different silk screens. Then there is an intensive coloration process, as an entire committee will vote on the shades and tones, before the design is finally sent to the factory where the dirty work begins. There is a dizzying printing process, then a luxurious steam bath to make the scarves unbelievably soft, and then two women painstakingly scrutinize each centimeter of silk for any defects. Last, the squares are cut and the seamstresses edge them by hand, before they are shipped off to be snatched up by women of the world over.
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Closet Obsession: THE HERMES SCARF
Nina Ricci
The One Hundred: A Guide to The Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own
(via elphie)
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