Hermès brings brand history to life in surreal HK theatre show

Hermès is presenting a poetic and humorous theatrical adventure at Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, transforming the brand's history through a surreal stage production and an original exhibition.

Running until 8 November, the "Hermèstories" campaign invites people to experience a playful and poetic theatrical creation in Hong Kong inspired by the stories of Hermès. Through a show with surrealist touches and an original exhibition, the brand invites the public to discover its story and iconic objects, offering insights into the house's spirit through a journey that combines bold staging with a new twist on oral tradition.

On set, stage props transform into ingenious tools to illustrate some of the house’s major events and surprising moments that symbolise the continuous momentum of Hermès. The diversity of the house’s sixteen métiers is showcased.

This is the story of a waiting groom, an important equestrian figure for Hermès, who goes by the name of “Lad” and who is played by a young woman, an embodiment of the vibrant, modern and historic character of the house founded in 1837. It is also the story of a narrator and the people that Lad meets on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré on a delightful late-afternoon stroll.

Together, they sketch the outlines of an enchanting world that plays out on stage, and into which they gladly jump with both feet. And let’s not forget the contribution of the Foley Artist, who uses Hermès materials and artisanal gestures to accompany the tale with astonishing sound effects.

From the store on Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, where silk twill brushes shoulders with exceptional leathers, the characters’ imaginations take them to a window display in the middle of a desert, like a boat casting off on a joyful journey into the history of the Parisian saddler and leather goods maker. The public is immersed in this adventure full of twists and turns.

The characters navigate through misunderstandings and wordplay, delightful dialogues and poetic songs, juggling with situations and objects. Silk scarves, an orange box, a zip and a Bolide bag, to name just a few, are playfully presented, reflecting the constant creative daring of a house that is always attentive to the times.

Beyond the theatre, the accompanying original exhibition extends the same imaginative spirit. Designed to resemble a theatre backstage, the exhibition invites the audience to wander through an installation designed like a theatre storeroom. It offers an opportunity to see these iconic objects at close quarters, to discover their history and their artisanal and creative dimensions. The bond between past and present is felt deeply in this theatrical saga that looks firmly to the future.

The entire Hermèstories experience also features the richness and diversity of Hermès' 16 craft métiers. The brand brings its creations to life through skills passed down from generation to generation, allowing creations across leather goods, silk scarves and other disciplines to converge within a single story world. The exhibition offers another perspective, bringing visitors closer to the works themselves beyond the stage narrative.

Visitors wishing to experience both the theatre and the exhibition can book a performance slot, while those who prefer to explore the exhibition on its own can join a session every 30 minutes. Both experiences are free of charge and require advance registration.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Hermes for more information. 

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