As Paris Fashion Week gears up for its first digital edition, luxury maison Hermès kicked things off with a historic filmic performance. It’s ‘historic’ in a sense that this was Hermès’ first-ever foray into a format that’s a complete departure from its high-brow runway settings.
Conceptualised in collaboration with French director Cyril Teste, the men’s spring/summer 2021 presentation was filmed in the Hermès workshops in Pantin, Paris.
It’s here that Teste’s expertise in choreographing a live filmic performance worked beautifully for a fashion presentation. Through specific and rehearsed camerawork, we’re able to see details that would have been entirely missed if Hermès were to merely live stream a runway show. Details such as the delicate and subtle inlaying of Hermès chain links on powdery blue cotton poplin, the deliberate textures on lightweight cream trousers, and the exceptional simplicity of an Hermès timepiece—all captured in fluid motion.
Sure, the seven-minute live film is an unrealistically calm depiction of the chaos that goes on backstage of any fashion presentation. But realism isn’t really the point here. Watching artistic director Véronique Nichanian making styling adjustments and co-directing the details that should be focused on, is quite a treat—it’s intimate, warm and joyous. At the heart of it, this format is true to what Hermès continuously focuses on: the journey in every aspect.
Hermes’ men’s artistic director Véronique Nichanian and French director Cyril Teste
Look and feel: The spring/summer 2021 collection is one of lightness and simplicity with doses of casual elegance. It’s the usual Hermès fare that Nichanian has cemented as the core Hermès man look but more relaxed. And neon yellow brights up the fresh factor to the grounded palette of blues, creams and almond greens.
Esquire now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Esquire Facebook page and ‘Follow’ on our @esquiremiddleeast Instagram and Twitter account.