Maitres De La Foret

Hermes Histoires De Carres > Spring - Summer 2016

In this scarf, Annie Faivre expresses the power of nature and the vital energy of burgeoning greenery using a delicate hand. Trees - the masters of the forest (maitres de la foret) - entangle with plants in a harmonious and poignant motion towards the light. Branches, leaves and flowers are laid out in a subtle homage to "cashmire" patterns. The word refers to a fibre of incredible softness, but it is also used to describe the characteristic designs created by Indian weavers. From the second half of the 18th century, shawls with these patterns became a distinctive feature of elegant women in Europe, and French manufacturers were quick to start producing them.