Zouaves Et Dragons

Histoires De Carres > Spring-Summer 2019

Uniforms of the Zouaves - units of the French light infantry in Africa - and the Dragoons - cavalry soldiers serving on foot or on horseback - give their name to this scarf. The inspiration for the design came from a 19th-century album of military attire conserved in the Emile Hermes collection. Trimmed with braiding, fluttering with galloons, soutaches and embroidery, the uniforms seem to come alive in a majestic dance. a whirlwind of jackets and a farandole of colours overlap and unfurl on the silk like secret messages.

Hermes Histoires de Carres > Autumn - Winter 2021

Leafing through the pages of a catalogue of 19th-century military uniforms conserved in the Emile Hermes collection, Virginie Jamin was struck by the power of the designs. This scarf takes its name from the uniforms of Zouaves - North African light infantry units in the French Army - and Dragons, or dragoons in English - cavalry soldiers who fought on foot or horseback. Adorned with passementerie, braids, insignia and silk embroidery, the costumes look almost alive. "I felt as if I could hear their conversation," the artist explains. "I detected [...] a unique connection, like that between dancers in a company." These musings inspired her to create this composition evoking a dance.