Hermèstories invites audiences into the world of Hermès through theatre, tracing the maison’s nearly 200-year journey from Parisian saddlery to a global house of luxury.
For nearly two centuries, Hermès has shaped its own distinctive universe. Founded in Paris in 1837, the maison began by making finely crafted harnesses, saddles, and riding equipment. Over time, its work expanded into travel goods and clothing, where it helped introduce zippers, and later into the handbags that remain among its most recognizable creations. Today, Hermès spans watchmaking, textiles, fragrance, and home furnishings, united by a creative spirit and a deep respect for savoir-faire.
That heritage takes an unexpected form in Hermèstories, presented at Freespace in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District from October 24 to November 8. Written by acclaimed actor, writer, and director Pauline Bayle and directed by immersive theatre specialist Joe Hufton, the production turns the maison’s history and creations into a dreamlike stage adventure.
At its centre is Lad, a groom who tends a stable of horses a nod to the house’s equestrian beginnings. Played by a woman, Lad wanders along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, home to Hermès’ Paris headquarters, encountering characters whose stories open onto different chapters in the brand’s history. Dialogue and song carry the journey, while inventive props and live sound effects evoke key moments and objects, from silk scarves and zippers to the Bolide bag.
Hermès remains family-owned, led by descendants of founder Thierry Hermès. The performance and its accompanying exhibition reflect values that have guided the maison since the 19th century. Both are part of the work of the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès, which supports creativity and the transmission of the skills at the heart of the house’s craft.
For visitors, Hermèstories offers a theatrical way to encounter Hermès not only through its celebrated creations, but through the imagination and craftsmanship behind them.
