Hermes originated in Paris in 1837 when Thierry Hermes opened a workshop in rue Basse-du-Rempart, creating harnesses. In 1880, Thierry's son, Charles-Emile Hermes, moved the workshop to Faubourg Saint-Honore where harnesses and saddles were made to measure - here he also opened a store. In 1922, lifestyles had changed and Hermes developed under the management of Charles-Emile's son, Emile Hermes, and started to offer other leather goods.

Respect for nature is one of their strongest values and they follow a strict environmental policy, which aims to limit the impact of operations and reduce its carbon footprint.

Hermes employs over 22,000 people with 62% of employees working in France across 60 production and training sites in 11 different regions, manufacturing 76% of its goods.

Hermes works with their suppliers to address quality, ethical, social, economic and environmental impacts.