hermes collections for the home at milan design week

renowned for their finesse, french fashion house Hermès has presented during milan design week 2017 their ‘collections for the home 2017-2018’. using leather as the link between them, the pieces aim to re-engage with the first act of the saddler and the harness-maker: to dress the objects as they dress the horse.

‘more precisely, the leather today revels the objects as formally it exposed the body of the horse (…) Hermès harnesses relieved the animal of the ceremonial trappings that concealed it and hampered its movements. the leather harness re-established full visibility of the physical beauty of the house, and at the same time liberated its dynamic potential. the operation was twofold: aesthetic—rendering visible—, and functional—rendering mobile.’

scarf cabinet, satin finish natural maple, gold smooth bullcalf and 100% wool fabric
image © designboom

with pieces designed by alvaro siza, barber & osgerby and pierre charpin amongst others, the Hermès’ collections for the home 2017-2018 combines leather with light maple wood, lacquer, wicker, crystal and metal, revealing more than it masks and highlighting the structure it decorates. in the boxes it acts as the lid; when used as a strap it underlines the transparency of the vases; and as a bridle it configures the disorientating geometry.

‘karumi’, triangular and square bamboo stools, removable cushions in fawn H bullcalf, design by alvaro siza
image © designboom

designed by portuguese architect alvaro siza, ‘karumi’ is a collection of three seats that pose a material challenge. made out of bamboo, the seating objects have been work by japanese craftsmen who have linked the extremely light material with carbon fibre. this innovative technique that blends tradition with high-tech results in strong seating objects with a light silhouette with the comfortable addition of a flat leather cushion.

‘karumi’, design by alvaro siza
image © designboom

‘karumi’, bamboo stool, design by alvaro siza
image by maud remy lonvis

detil of ‘karumi’ bench, bamboo, removable cushions in fawn H bullcalf, design by alvaro siza
image © designboom

‘aes’ coffee table in cast bronze, design by barber & osgerby and ties porcelain collection with illustrations by philippe mouquet
image © designboom

‘aes’ coffee table in cast bronze, design by barber & osgerby
image by maud remy lonvis

cast in bronze, in a single-use mould, ‘aes’ by british duo barber & osgerby is a coffee table that has been reduced to its purest line. its aesthetics resemble a metal girder or a rail that absorbs light to then reflect it with even more brilliance. behind its apparent austerity, the table exhibits skilful finished through the combination of the matt material and the waxed patina of its surface that allows for leather additions.

‘groom attelé’, design by studio Hermès in collaboration with guillaume delvigne and damian o’sullivan
image by maud remy lonvis

called ‘groom attelé’, this hanger in brick bride leather, palladium-fish brass and stainless steel is a homage to the house’s first métier and the piece that guided the whole collection. its humble but vital role draws the shape, sculpts the use and reveals the function. the other pieces include a coat hanger, a log basket and even a wine rack

‘vases’, saint-louis crystal and brick bridle leather
design by studio Hermès in collaboration with guillaume delvigne and damian o’sullivan
image by maud remy lonvis

‘coat hanger’, brick bridle leather and palladium-finish brass
design by studio Hermès in collaboration with guillaume delvigne and damian o’sullivan
image by maud remy lonvis

log basket, natural maple, wicker and brick bridle leather
design by studio Hermès in collaboration with guillaume delvigne and damian o’sullivan
image © designboom

‘wine rack’, wicker and brick bridle leather
design by studio Hermès in collaboration with guillaume delvigne and damian o’sullivan
image by maud remy lonvis

serving trolley, natural maple, natural woven wicker, fawn H bullcalf and brass
design by studio Hermès
image © designboom

occasional table in natural maple, fawn H bullcalf and natural woven wicker
design by studio Hermès
image © designboom

‘centrepiece’, natural maple and brick bridle leather
design by studio Hermès in collaboration with guillaume delvigne and damian o’sullivan
image by maud remy lonvis