Springs

Histoires De Carres > Autumn-Winter 2016

Inspired by an engraving conserved at the Chateau de Malmaison, this scarf by Philippe Ledoux, one f Hermes' legendary designers, features in its centre the phaeton belonging to Napoleon I's son. This horse-drawn carriage takes its name from the son of Helios, personification of the sun in Greek mythology. The story goes that Phaeton borrowed but lost control of his father's sun chariot, almost setting the earth on fire, and paid for this with his life. the gorgeous little carriage was decked out with all the adornments of the Empire, and was pulled by two merino sheep, trained by the famous circus manager Franconi. Built in 1812 by the carriage-maker Tremblay, it is preserved at the castle of Schonbrunn, in Vienna, where the Emperor's sun lived for most of his short life.

How To Wear Your Hermes Scarf

An Hermes classic, Springs recalls the equestrian roots of the House. Strangely, though, history tells us that the carriage in the center of this scarf was owned by the King of Rome and pulled not by a horse, but by two liveried goats.