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Luxury in the making: Festival des Métiers details first-hand look at Hermès'expert craftsmanship
Throughout the HermèsFestival des Métiers presentations from New York to San Francisco and now in Houston, the printing process for the luxury firm's silk scarves has completely mesmerized the crowds that have poured in for a first-hand look at Hermès' coveted products in the making.
Hermès USA CEO Bob Chavez noted on the festival's opening night in Houston that the artisans working on the scarves continually steal the show at the event that features 10 craftsmen, each displaying his or her particular skills. Tuesday night was no exception as VIP guests crowded around the table where the distinct colors were being expertly applied to the silks.
The public is invited to enter the heady world of Hermès and view the craftsmen at work in an elaborate tent, erected behind the Post Oak Boulevard store in BLVD Place.
Today through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the public is invited to enter the heady world of Hermès and view the craftsmen at work in an elaborate tent, 5,000 square feet, erected behind the Post Oak Boulevard store in BLVD Place. Admission is free.
Chavez explained the motivation behind the festival, "We want to share with all of our existing clients and potential clients the first-hand experience of watching the Hermès craftsmen make their products by hand, using great materials and just observing the steadiness of their hands as they do it."
At the Houston premiere, guests were equally entranced by the jeweler inserting the pavé diamonds one-by-one in the pyramid-shaped studs that decorate the iconic Collier de Chien bracelet and the artist hand-painting the elaborately-decorated porcelain trays. The artist creating the pattern for etching on the Saint-Louis crystal (Hermès owns the label), the watchmaker and the craftsman working on the iconic Kelly bag and the Jypsiere bag each displayed an intriguing mastery of their métiers.
Houston is the 17th city worldwide to receive the festival and one of only three in the U.S. From here, the party tent, the artisans and their wares move on to China and Japan.