Last week, Hermès reopened the refurbished London flagship at 155 Bond Street. Home to Hermès since 1975 and blessed with a rich architectural heritage, the space has undergone an 11 month refresh by RDAI Artistic Director Denis Montel. The renovations “harken back to retail’s glory days” and are reminiscent of the luxe surroundings of the 1950s’ most celebrated high-end retailers.
The store is located in the iconic and listed Time Life Building, designed by architect Michael Rosenauer in 1951, with interiors by Sir Hugh Casson and Misha Black. Montel was tasked with preserving the character and the original features of the building while at the same time designing a space that would be equal to the brand’s reputation.
He unveiled a sleek interior: the epitome of Hermés heaven. Rugs with the brand’s “H” logo cover the handmade terrazzo floors, while works of vibrant art hang on the brand adorned walls. Two large oval ceiling openings allow a loftier feel to the ground floor, providing visual continuity between the two levels and enticing customers upstairs. A twisting white staircase, speckled with orange flakes, the brand’s iconic color, leads customers to the second level. Or take a ride on the glass elevator, cocooned in pink and copper mesh.
The new store, which almost doubled in size, houses a special surprise in the olive tree-lined courtyard, the Henry Moore sculpture, “Draped Reclining Figure.” To celebrate, Hermès has created limited edition designs that include three new renditions of its iconic “Bond Street” clutch in various leathers and final installment of its “Le Jardin” perfume series.
For more photos of the new store, click through the slideshow below.
