Hermès Festival des Métiers (Festival of Crafts) Singapore and how Hermès scarves are made – Sept. 3-7, 2011

September 6, 2011
Ever wondered what exactly goes into making a Hermès bag, cuff, or scarf?  Find out for yourself if you stop by the Hermès Festival des Métiers (Festival of Crafts) in your neighborhood; this tour has already passed through Europe and the US and is now making its way through Asia.  Artisans will demonstrate their skills in jewelry making, silk engraving, and leather workmanship right before your eyes.  I was really curious about this and went to the Festival this past weekend.

Hermes Festival des Metiers - scarves- by ChicnCheapLivingI got to see a handbag being created (wish I had good pictures, but everyone was crowded around a great, bright pink Bolide? bag), a wallet being sewn, an engraver etching some engravings for a scarf, and almost the entire process of making a Hermès scarf.
Hermes Festival des Metiers - engraver- by ChicnCheapLivingFun Facts:
– There are 75,000 different colors for scarves!
– The entire process of making a scarf from design, to engraving for scarf screens, to printing and prepping the scarf takes two years
– 60% of Hermès employees are artisans trained in different crafts
– 20 scarf designs are released annually and each design may have 10 combinations
– A scarf screen is created for each separate color layer.  The one I witnessed took 15 screens while the red one at the end of this post took 45 different screens.
– Any mess up in the scarf results in the destruction of the scarf (even if you’re at screen 45)
– A scarf printer can train for up to five years!Hermes Festival des Metiers - paint - by ChicnCheapLiving

The process:
1. The scarf printer has the final design in mind and attaches a scarf firmly to a table for printing.
Hermes Festival des Metiers - making a scarf 0- by ChicnCheapLiving
2. The printer uses individual screens for each layer and mixes vegetable gum and colors for that screen.
Hermes Festival des Metiers - making a scarf 1- by ChicnCheapLiving
3. Screens are created for the same as well as different sections to allow for variations of colors in the same design.  Precise placement is needed at each step.

4. The scarf is complete with the printing process and is then taken to a steam bath to soften the texture of the scarf (stiff from vegetable gum) and allow the dyes to permeate the scarf.Hermes Festival des Metiers - making a scarf 3- by ChicnCheapLiving
Hermes Festival des Metiers - making a scarf final- by ChicnCheapLiving

This scarf took 45 different screens to print!  The face alone is created by 15 different screens!
Hermes Festival des Metiers - Indian scarf face- by ChicnCheapLiving
I have a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship and time that goes into the creation of each scarf.  These are true artisans and you can also now see the justification behind the price as well as the value in handing down a quality piece like an Hermès scarf!

I’ve uploaded a few more pictures to my Flickr here – enjoy!

little luxury list

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  • Aphrodite September 6, 2011 at 08:36

    i can’t i’ve without scarves and reading this makes me love them more!!!

    http://aphroditeslair9999.blogspot.com/

  • Plami September 6, 2011 at 09:04

    Thank you for creating this beautiful and interesting post!

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://fashion-thrill.blogspot.com/

  • meguire September 6, 2011 at 13:33

    Absolutely cool post ♥

  • Kim September 6, 2011 at 13:38

    This is a wonderful post! I had no idea that so much work went into each little scarf – this definitely justifies the price and heirloom status of these pieces.

  • Erika September 6, 2011 at 13:39

    Gah! This is such an incredible behind the scenes look at the creation of an Hermes scarf – I love! 🙂

  • Audrey Allure September 6, 2011 at 14:30

    Interesting, sounds so awesome to observe!

  • Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird September 6, 2011 at 14:45

    Oh my goodness, how cool!

  • Heather September 6, 2011 at 15:42

    Wow, thanks for sharing! I had no idea!

  • The Blonde Duck September 6, 2011 at 15:52

    75,000 different colors? Holy cow!

  • Shia September 6, 2011 at 17:02

    Wow amazing!! Thanks for sharing!

  • Nina With Her Notebook September 6, 2011 at 18:03

    Wow! 75,000 colors for scarves? That´s great 🙂 Love scarfes!

  • Elle Sees September 6, 2011 at 18:04

    Wow oh wow I had no idea what went into this. That being said, i need one even more now!

  • Alena: Oh, It's Just Perfect! September 6, 2011 at 18:33

    This is truly amazing!! I can’t believe the time and effort that goes into ONE scarf. Now I understand the high pricetag!

  • The Desert Fox September 6, 2011 at 18:44

    wow, great post, hermes scarfes are quite the deal

    xx

  • Jessica September 6, 2011 at 20:50

    Wow – this is incredible. The amount of work that goes into a scarf is staggering. I own one little Hermes pocket square – and this makes me appreciate it much more!

  • FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION September 6, 2011 at 22:25

    the work and artistry that goes into this is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. xo

  • BigAppleNosh September 6, 2011 at 22:37

    Wow, this looks fascinating!

  • anna and the ring September 6, 2011 at 23:17

    Whenever I see an Hermes scarf I always think of you.

    (P.S. Let’s do France – soon?!)

  • THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE September 6, 2011 at 23:21

    OMG I would have love to have seen that!!! Love Hermes scarves 🙂

  • Punctuation Mark September 6, 2011 at 23:35

    i really really want one of these… they are so beautiful!

  • Lisa September 7, 2011 at 00:15

    droooool i love this post!! something about an hermes scarf.. *sigh* haha

  • Katherine September 7, 2011 at 00:18

    I’ve read a few recaps and think this is SUCH a cool event – lucky you for getting to go! Great pictures and thank you so much for sharing them! 🙂

  • Midnight Cowgirl September 7, 2011 at 00:21

    Fabulous, informative post! The scarves are so beautiful. Sigh.

  • quintessence September 7, 2011 at 02:29

    I remember reading about this when it was passing through a few cities here but vaguely remember it was more about leather products – I would love to this process as well. Just love Hermes – what an incredible iconic brand!!

  • Bravoe Runway September 7, 2011 at 02:32

    What a fabulous event to attend! My aunt owns 5 hermes scarves and each one is designed beautifully and it is amazing to see what a painstaking process it is to create one of these works of art! I hope to own one some day, along with a Kelly bag 🙂

  • Mouthwash September 7, 2011 at 04:38

    What an amazing post this is! Thank you so much for sharing. It must have been so much fun to see these scarves and wallets and purses being crafted right before your eyes!

    Amber
    Ambersmoutwhash

  • honey my heart September 7, 2011 at 05:39

    it’s always so nice to see what goes on into the production of an item like that. the level of craftsmanship and detail is amazing. and the variety of colors is wow!!

  • Leslie Christen | LifeStyling September 7, 2011 at 06:05

    Beautiful shots, this is my first time to your site and I’ll definitely be back

    xo Leslie

    http://lesliechristen.com/

  • MizzJ September 7, 2011 at 06:34

    Wow what an incredible process! Learning more about how a piece is constructed really lets you understand why it’s a luxury item and just what you are paying for. Anyone who ever questions that needs to see this post!

  • Parisienne September 7, 2011 at 09:22

    In love for this post! Well done…thank’s for share!

    (http://www.the-parisienne.com/)

  • Savvy Gal September 7, 2011 at 15:59

    years ago i saw how there scarves are made and the process was incredible. afterward, i willingly paid an arm and a leg for them. : )

  • Mary Lane September 8, 2011 at 21:32

    I guess that explains why they’re so expensive! These really are quality pieces.

    http://www.stylish3.com/marylane

  • Sam September 10, 2011 at 13:04

    Very informative post, thanks for sharing 🙂
    Have an awesome weekend!

  • Hermes The Gift of Time Singapore August 8, 2012 at 01:02

    […] sounding at the end).  I also haven appreciation for the brand’s good after attending the  Hermès Festival des Métiers (Festival of Crafts) and learning how many different artisans come together to produce a single […]

  • Chelsea March 3, 2013 at 17:20

    Hi, just wondering what the name of the Native American face scarf is. It’s beautiful, and fascinating! Thanks!

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