Hermes Menswear Spring Summer 2014 Paris

Oh to be an Hermès man. A man who has the means to dress in a casually elegant, even slightly wrinkled, way that belies the quality and craftsmanship that went into each ensemble. This will be the Hermès man next summer if the house’s menswear designer Veronique Nichanian gets her way.

It is a more youthful, dare it be said- bohemian, man. One that has not been seen for quite some time on Nichanian’s cobblestone catwalk at her fetish cloître des cordeliers show venue. It was a nice change of pace for a brand that has made refinement its raison d'être.

But don’t be mislead. Just because the designer decided to offer up an easygoing attitude of attire this season, doesn’t mean she digressed from her lifelong pursuit of finding the most luxurious way to go about bringing her inspiration to life.

So a cotton dove gray pullover top would have the “blink and you miss it” shadow imprint of a horse emblazoned on the chest. Straight trousers came crafted out of micro patterned prints of some of the brand’s iconic tie motifs. Shirts showed-up with detachable scarf collars or in “well loved” faded colored horse bit prints. And a traditional boat neck pull on top with zipper vents at the side got the luxe treatment -it was proffered up to the audience in python. 

The nonchalant attitude of the show was heighten by the inclusion of some more urban elements such as belted cotton coveralls, a nylon windbreaker in a Seattle grunge plaid and a number of drawstring pants and Bermuda shorts. All of it set in muted shades of blue, grays and a rich umber color the designer called “Burnt Sienna”.

It might be true that your average Joe will overlook the quality of the clothing in this Hermès collection. But this is a house that isn’t interested in anything that is average, and thank goodness for that.  

- Jessica Michault