Slated to open on September 4th, after an 18 month renovation, French luxury brand Hermes will re-open the doors of their overhauled store located at 434 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
above left: the old Hermes Store on Rodeo Drive and above right, a rendering of the new one
The new, 12,000 square foot Beverly Hills flagship was designed by Paris-based RDAI (Rena Dumas Architecture Interieure), who has designed most, if not all, of the Hermes Boutiques worldwide.
The original Rodeo Drive boutique opened in 1972 and fast became a celebrity favorite. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hermès already had a Hollywood following at that time, having outfitted movie star cowboy Tom Mix's horse, made Alfred Hitchcock's swim trunks and created a custom bag, the "Marlene," for Marlene Dietrich.
To commemorate the grand re-opening, Hermès has created a limited edition collection of special items including two luxe blue calfskin leather basketballs costing $12,900 each, made with the same leather and stitching as their famous Birkin Bag, and swimming pool-inspired silk scarves - both of which fit in with the brand's theme for 2013: "A Sporting Life."
above: a page from their 2013 summer catalog, A Sporting Life, with beautiful photos by Nathaniel Goldberg
"The Sporting Life" theme has generated other unique sport-related items from Hermes such as the silk-covered Boxing Gloves created for the launch of their 2013 Summer Collection event in Palm Beach:
above image courtesy of Palm Beach Post
A $12,900 basketball is too rich for your blood? Well, Hermes also makes a baseball bat in ash wood and gold swift calfskin selling for $1,850.00, a Petanque set in carbon steel and natural hunter cowhide selling for $1,150.00 and their $4650 Bicycle in lacquered stainless steel with frame, handles and saddle in Taurillon Clemence leather, all available at their online store.
You can also view a series of cute short videos here.
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