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Vancouver Sun

The true heart of Hermès leather-making isn't a Birkin or a Kelly. It's a saddle

Article content Paris is a memorable city. One made even more so, it turns out, with the addition of horses. Article content The capital of France, which sees some 50 million tourists visit each year, is home to many iconic landmarks, must-see museums, delicious food, and world-renowned fashion brands. Article content And for a few days this spring, the City of Lights was also home to Saut Hermès, an international equestrian competition. Article content Set in the Grand Palais on March 21-23, the 15th edition of the show-jumping tournament brought horses to the heart of Paris with temporary stables erected directly beside the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Article content Inside the tented rows, oversized orb-shaped lighting bathed the stalls in a warm, soft glow while large swaths of faux turf provided a soft footing for the equine athletes to make their way to the competition arena. Article content Article content Article content Riders of the Paris Metro disembarking at a nearby station were greeted with a glimpse of the horses warming up in a small sand arena located directly beside the entrance of the busy transit station. Article content Article content While handbags such as the Birkin or Kelly have long been coveted leather goods from the luxury French house, there is another design at the heart of its leather creation — the saddle. Article content 'We often say at Hermès that the horse was Hermès' first client. (Former Hermès Chairman) Jean-Louis Dumas used to say this,' says Chloé Nobecourt, director of the Hermès Equestrian Métier. 'And actually it is very true. Hermès was founded in 1837 as a harness maker. And saddles arrived right after.' Article content Article content Thierry Hermès started the brand as a small harness-making shop in Paris, setting out to create horsewear that was lightweight and refined — a stark contrast to the heavy, decorated designs that were popular at the time. Article content 'For two main reasons,' Nobecourt explains. 'The first was to free the horse's movement. And the second was to reveal its beauty.' Article content From that simple ambition, a multibillion-dollar brand has been built, applying that same approach of good design, simplicity and quality to a vast array of product categories. Article content 'Still today, this founding principle of functionality, lightness, elegance of movement as we like to say, and comfort are still embedded in every creation that we make,' says Nobecourt. Article content Article content Located at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the flagship store of Hermès is a hub of both retail, history and creation for the brand. Article content Around the corner from the Faubourg Saint Honoré store, through a big set of wooden doors reachable only after passing through a security checkpoint, many of the brand's standout pieces are made. Unbeknownst to many, this downtown Paris location has long been an epicentre of creation for the brand, including its made-to-measure saddles.