Latest news with #AxeldeBeaufort
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Forget the Birkin bag, Hermès unveils something unexpected
One day, I will own a black Birkin bag with gold hardware. Sure, that day might only arrive in my dreams, but a girl can hope, right? The Birkin is the holy grail of handbags - a symbol of wealth, taste, and that elusive cool factor. Celebrities flaunt them. Fashion insiders hoard them. And regular people? We fantasize about the moment our name is finally called on the waitlist. Related: Birkin bag maker faces major problem But now, Hermès (HESAF) is doing something unexpected. Something bold. Something that has nothing to do with purses at all. In a surprising twist, the French luxury house just dropped a new product that feels more Silicon Valley than Paris runway. It's sleek, limited-edition, and has a jaw-dropping price tag to match. And not a bag. According to Hypebeast, Hermès' bespoke Ateliers Horizons division has introduced a limited-edition set of luxury headphones priced at a staggering $15,000. They take cues from the iconic Kelly bag, wrapped in hand-stitched leather with gleaming metal accents - a bold collision of old-world craftsmanship and modern tech appeal. The Horizons team, led by Axel de Beaufort, has already made surfboards, hammocks, and even disco balls. But this drop might be its most ambitious yet. Related: Chanel customers should be happy about its new pricing plan Only a limited number of pairs will be made. They're less a gadget and more a wearable piece of art for people who want their tech to whisper "bespoke." If you ask me, it makes more sense to treat them like a museum piece than risk a single drop of sweat on that leather. Then again, if you're spending $15K on headphones, practicality probably isn't top of mind. Sure, you might not be in the market for $15,000 headphones. But what Hermès is doing here signals something much bigger, especially if you care about how luxury, tech, and culture are evolving. This launch shows exactly how legacy brands are fighting to stay relevant. Gen Z and millennial consumers (aka the ones shaping the future of the luxury market) aren't just buying for status anymore. They want story, identity, and innovation baked into everything they purchase. Hermès is betting big that the next generation of luxury consumers values pieces that feel personal, rare, and yes - unexpected. That means more fashion houses could follow, dropping high-concept, high-price-tag items that double as art and tech. Even if you're not adding these headphones to your cart, you're still part of the audience Hermès is signaling. The brand isn't just selling leather and sound. It's selling a vision of the future - and inviting you to pay attention. Will these headphones become the next Birkin? Probably not. But they show Hermès knows exactly how to keep people watching. Related: Cartier and Van Cleef owner announces surprising year-end results The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
BusinessToday
26-05-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Hermès Turns Up the Volume on Bespoke Craftsmanship
Hermès is expanding its bespoke division, Ateliers Horizons, into the world of sound with the launch of its first headphones, priced at USD 15,000. The design features handstitched cowhide leather and metallic finishes inspired by the iconic Kelly handbag. Minimalist in style and compatible with both Bluetooth and wired connections, the headphones reflect Hermès' commitment to combining craftsmanship with technical precision. Based in a discreet workshop in the Paris suburb of Pantin, Ateliers Horizons is known for producing extraordinary, made-to-order pieces well beyond the house's classic offering. From handbags shaped like birdcages or pineapples to boats, private jets, and car interiors, the atelier specialises in one-of-a-kind creations. Leading the division is Axel de Beaufort, a naval design graduate from the University of Southampton. Since 2012, he has overseen a team of around 50 artisans, designers and engineers, producing bespoke objects that fuse traditional techniques with modern innovation. The headphones, set to arrive in Hermès boutiques this summer, are a clear example. Years in the making, they were developed entirely in-house rather than modifying an existing product—an approach consistent with the atelier's standards. This isn't Hermès' first venture into sound. Ateliers Horizons has previously created a jukebox, a vertical turntable boombox, and a connected speaker. The latest collection also includes a lacquered mahogany DJ table and a jukebox featuring artwork by Greek illustrator Elias Kafouros. The headphones represent a new chapter in this journey, aiming to deliver an original 'Hermès sound' crafted with the same care as a Birkin bag. De Beaufort emphasises that mass production has never been the goal. Instead, the focus is on creating a select few pieces that embody the essence of Hermès — craftsmanship, storytelling, and excellence. WWD Related
Hypebeast
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hypebeast
Hermès Debuts $15K USD Headphones Crafted by Its Bespoke Ateliers Horizons
Summary Hermèsis bringing haute craftsmanship to high fidelity with the launch of its first-ever luxury headphones. Created by the French house's elite Ateliers Horizons division, the $15,000 headphones blend audio innovation with signature Hermès artistry. Inspired by the metallic finishes and handstitched leathers of the iconic Kelly bag, each pair is a statement in sound and style. Designed under the direction of Axel de Beaufort, Horizons' creative lead since 2012, the headphones reflect the workshop's flair for unexpected commissions. The new audio accessory joins a growing lineup of imaginative items from the atelier, including surfboards, hammocks and even disco balls. Every detail, from the stitching to the saddle-grade leather, channels Hermès' legacy of meticulous craftsmanship. With just a handful of these headphones expected to be produced, they serve not only as a functional audio device but as an object of design, signaling a bold move by Hermès deeper into the world of personal tech.
