Hermès is a French luxury house founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès as a harness maker, now best known for the Birkin and Kelly bags, silk scarves and leather craftsmanship.
Hermès is the old-money benchmark: still family-controlled, still making its most famous bags by hand, one artisan per bag. Its most coveted pieces carry no visible logo — a Birkin is identified by shape and leather alone — though the H belt and Oran sandal are more recognisable. It occupies the top of every quiet luxury ranking for craft.
What is Hermès known for?
- Birkin bag
- Kelly bag
- Silk carrés
- Oran sandals
- Constance bag
Key materials: togo and epsom calfskin, silk twill, exotic leathers. Categories we cover: bags, shoes, knitwear, outerwear.
Is Hermès quiet luxury?
Largely, yes. Hermès keeps branding minimal, although some signature details are recognisable to people who know the brand.
On our Quiet Luxury Index, Hermès scores 88 out of 100:
How much does Hermès cost?
Kelly and Birkin bags well above $10,000, allocated rather than freely sold. Hermès sits in our Summit tier: the houses that define the category, priced accordingly. Prices are approximate US retail and vary by region and season.
What should you watch out for?
The H belt and Oran sandals are now recognisable status symbols; the quiet move is the bags and ready-to-wear.
Is Hermès on Instagram?
Yes. Hermès’s official account is @hermes, with 15.7 million followers and 3,522 posts as of October 2026, ranking it #1 of 39 quiet luxury brands we track.
Which brands are similar to Hermès?
Moynat (Summit, Index 94). A Parisian trunk-maker of similar age and craft, far less recognisable.
Delvaux (Summit, Index 88). Belgium’s 1829 leather house — Hermès-level craft with almost zero brand recognition.
Polène (Accessible, Index 82). Sculptural leather bags made in Spain for a few hundred dollars.
Compare: Hermès vs Bottega Veneta
Hermès at a glance
| Founded | 1837 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Thierry Hermès |
| Owner | Publicly listed; controlled by the Hermès family |
| Based in | Paris, France |
| For | Women, Men |
| Price tier | Summit |
| Index score | 88 / 100 |
| Official site | hermes.com |
Frequently asked questions
What is Hermès known for?
Hermès is known for Birkin bag, Kelly bag and Silk carrés. Hermès is a French luxury house founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès as a harness maker, now best known for the Birkin and Kelly bags, silk scarves and leather craftsmanship.
Is Hermès quiet luxury?
Largely, yes. Hermès keeps branding minimal, although some signature details are recognisable to people who know the brand.
Where is Hermès from?
Hermès is based in Paris, France, and was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès.
Who owns Hermès?
Hermès is owned by Publicly listed; controlled by the Hermès family.
How much does Hermès cost?
Approximate prices: Kelly and Birkin bags well above $10,000, allocated rather than freely sold. Prices vary by region and season.
How many Instagram followers does Hermès have?
Hermès’s official Instagram account, @hermes, had 15.7 million followers as of October 2026.
What brands are similar to Hermès?
Brands similar to Hermès include Moynat, Delvaux and Polène. A Parisian trunk-maker of similar age and craft, far less recognisable.