STYLE Edit: Hermes' new accessories collection keeps things fun and whimsical even during dark days
Artistic director of womenswear and new mum, Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski channels multitasking working women in the Hermès Objets spring/summer 2020 collection
Who says accessorising is difficult to do in summer? Winter styles can easily accommodate maximalist layers or the textural play of leathers and warm wool, but summer isn’t so bad. Take one look at the Hermès Objets spring/summer 2020 collection and you’ll be converted.
The Hermès women’s universe always comes out strong with their bags. Artistic director of womenswear, Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski, carries the Birkin baton into the new decade with the Birkin 35 Cargo. Inspired by military uniform, we see five additional pockets – utilitarian, like a tactical army bag, but feminised with the supple swift calfskin leather and Goéland canvas.
The Birkin 35 Cargo even has its own removable cup holder. We can’t help but think that new mum Vanhee-Cybulski is getting in touch with the needs of a multitasking working woman.
Of course, there is still the Hermès handbag made for handbag’s sake. The women’s ready-to-wear spring/summer 2020 runway showcased the Chaîne d'Ancre Bag. The new tote featured on the runway without the removable silk pouch necessary to contain all your small objects.
When the silk pouch is in place, the colour contrast is delightful; the tan Barénia leather that forms the oversized chain link design is set against deep navy blue silk. The iconic links are cut from two single pieces of leather then stitched together. There is a final link at the base of the bag, which Hermès says is “an invitation to leave a print in the sand”.
For men, we turn to the realm of silk scarves, one of Hermès’ oldest métiers. The evolution continues today with the new double-faced innovation, “carré au carré”. The C’est la Fête men’s scarf offers two versions of the design by Daiske Nomura on either side, with one version in the Hermès orange.
Women can also enjoy the new double-facing scarves. Although International Women’s Day was on March 8, you can celebrate women every day this summer with the pop pink silk twill scarf, named Wow. The scarf spotlights la femme Hermès a with comic design created by French illustrator Ugo Bienvenu. On the colourful side, the comic captions are in French, while the monochromatic side is in English.
