Hermès goes glocal with new Beijing flagship
Parisian luxury goods house Hermès recently opened a new flagship store (pictured) in Beijing’s China World Trade Center, located in the Chinese capital’s central business district.
Two Kelly 25 handbags, specially crafted with the brand’s Eperon d’Or design in leather marquetry, were made exclusively available for the store’s opening, among other objects such as a Coup de Fouet Tattoo silk scarf in two exclusive colourways.
Designed by Paris-based architecture firm RDAI, the store spans more than 900 square-metres over two floors, with a façade intended to evoke a forest of bamboo, a press release said. Artworks including an ink drawing by Chinese artist Li Xin have been curated throughout the interior to suggest “the relationship between Hermès and China”.
Key to the overall spirit of the store, according to a LinkedIn post by the company, is Hermès’ choice of local craftsmanship (the “majority” of its contractors were local to Beijing) and mostly “sustainable”, locally sourced natural materials. For example, the terrazzo flooring was made from Chinese stone, while the first-floor murals were painted on Chinese wild silk.
Leathergoods and equestrian articles are located on the upper floor, along with women’s ready-to-wear and footwear, plus a private VIP room.
Influential individuals including the former Vogue China editor-in-chief, Angelica Cheung, attended the store's opening.
Image: Hermès.
