Hermès began in 1837, when the harness-maker Thierry Hermès opened a workshop in rue Basse-du-Rempart in Paris. Right away he understood the importance of quality craftsmanship.

How would an equestrian-based luxury label from France have a connection to the Detroit automobile industry? Emile-Maurice Hermès met Henry Ford, who offered to take him to tour Ford automobile factories. Legend has it that was so impressed when he discovered the zipper in a car’s interior that he patented that innovation for use in Europe, where it was first used on the Hermès Bolide bag (on the left).

Hermès knows that the backbone of its brand is quality craftsmanship, so it trains its craftspeople for 18 months. Once they start the job, it takes eight years to be earn the “master artisan” title. 

Lyon has been the French capital of silk for 500 years, so it only makes sense that Hermès makes its scarves there.

An Hermès carré measures at about 90 centimeters x 90 centimeters, or 35 inches x 35 inches, consisting about 450 kilometers (280 miles) of silk thread.

Up to 75,000 colors can go into an Hermès carré, but for optimum effect, 45 colors is ideal.

Ever wonder how long it takes to make an Hermès Kelly or Birkin? The answer is about 15 to 20 hours, but that depends on a number of factors, including size and material.

Did you know that Hermès crocodile bags take the longest to make? The durability of the skin adds extra hours to manufacturing.

Hermès wants to do good within the communities where there are stores, so it does things like partner with schools to donate materials and more.

Hermès is all about exclusivity, so much so that it has less than three dozen stores across the entire United States.