Hermes Musee Vintage Scarf by Philippe Ledoux
View Similar Items
Hermes Musee Vintage Scarf by Philippe Ledoux
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thousand Oaks, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU126634983793
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness. As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity. In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key. Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings. Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ALAIA Grey Suede Studded Booties Size 39By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAThese pair of ALAIA heels are the perfect winter shoes! Made with grey suede and an intricate studded design. Would look great with any casual daytime loo...Category
2010s Shoes
- Vintage 1990s Manolo Blahnik Multi-color Pumps Size 40By Manolo BlahnikLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAUnique, vintage, rare multi colored Manolo Blahnik pumps with pointed toe and multi colored pink, green, and purple. Burnished gold detail. Completely unworn. Size 40 Heel: 12 cm (...Category
1980s Shoes
$472 Sale Price30% Off - Valentino Pinstripe Blue and White Silk Button DownBy ValentinoLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAValentino Pinstripe Blue and White Silk Button Down Vertical pinstriped blue and white silk button down shirt by Valentino. A wardrobe essential! Reta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Blouses
$545 Sale Price30% Off - Walter Collection Embellished Mesh Skater DressLocated in Thousand Oaks, CATutu mini dress by Walter Collection with sheer nude mesh bodice featuring strategically placed beaded and sequined embellishments and a white satin ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
$451 Sale Price30% Off - Vintage 90s Yves Saint Laurent Military BlazerBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAYves Saint Laurent vintage, grey blazer jacket with brown leather covered buttons. 90s Decade. The jacket can be worn with the collar buttoned up, or with the collar open and folded...Category
1990s French Jackets
- Alaia Baby Blue Ensemble Dress and Crop Jacket Size 38By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CACollector's Item!! - Alaia Paris sleeveless dress and matching cropped jacket in baby light blue. This is such a flattering and elegant silhouette. Depen...Category
1990s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Patek Phillipe Cashmere ScarfBy Patek PhilippeLocated in London, GBCharming Patek Phillipe Cashmere Scarf, in hues of blue with a crimson and green floral design. Colour: Red/ Blue / Green Composition: 100% Cashmere ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scarves
- 1960 Irene Of New York Fluorescent Floral Print Tufted Turban & Foulard Size MBy Irene of New YorkLocated in Gresham, OR1960 Irene of New York fluorescent floral print turban hat and matching foulard / neck scarf ensemble: In shades of pink, lavender and green. Size Medium. Originally sold at I. Magnin.Category
1960s American Hats
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN black & white silk chiffon STRIPED RED SKULL ScarfBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen striped skull chiffon scarf in black and white silk (100%) with details in red. Has been worn with some barely noticable snags. Overall in excellent condition. Wid...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Scarves
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN blue purple silk chiffon ROSE PRINT ScarfBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen rose print chiffon scarf in purple silk (100%) with pink, blue and green details. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Width 1...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Scarves
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN white silk twill SNAKE SKULL BANDANA ScarfBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen Snake Skull bandana scarf in white silk twill with details in black, grey and red and white beads in the corners. Has been worn and is ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Scarves
- Carlo Zini Grey Swan Feathers StoleBy Carlo ZiniLocated in Gazzaniga (BG), ITBeautiful and chic Carlo Zini stole Swan feathers Grey color Total length about cm 170 (66.92 inches) Maximum height cm 38 (14.96 inches) Worldwide expres...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Scarves
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.