-SPECIAL- “HERMÈS” 2008-18 Suede cutwork leather tie

Founded in Paris in 1837 as a leather-goods harness workshop, HERMÈS has quietly fused exceptional craftsmanship with leather and the refinement of decorative items—including silk—on a higher plane. From HERMÈS, we present a special piece where the Maison’s beauty of materials and a sense of play intersect in perfect quietude.

Using black suede material, this piece takes the classic format of a tie and overlays precise cutwork reminiscent of a leaf motif, along with the decorative stitching at the center—bringing HERMÈS’s signature leather expression to your chest.

First and foremost, what stands out is that—unlike a typical silk tie—soft, brushed suede is adopted as the primary material. It remains leather without feeling overly heavy, and the matte texture absorbs light gently, creating deep shadowing within a monochrome black composition.

On the large-end portion, cutouts resembling a succession of leaves are applied on both left and right. The openings are extremely sharp, and because they are cut with precision while suppressing fraying of the material, they give a sense of lightness and rhythm to this three-dimensional leather material. As a result, they create a subtle yet definite graphic character at the chest area.

At the center, a vertical decorative element resembling a chain stitch runs along it, created with thicker thread. While it plays a role akin to leaf veins in the leaf motif, it is not merely decorative—it also functions as a guiding axis that brings together the material’s direction and the flow of the design. That is precisely what makes it so beautiful.

The underside is finished with glossy black satin, creating a contrast with the soft, brushed feel of the suede on the front. With the smooth texture on the interior adding to the interplay, even the unseen areas carry the kind of material refinement that is unmistakably HERMÈS.

The label shows a woven name reading HERMÈS-PARIS. Along with it being a contemporary accessory line specification woven on a black ground with light-colored thread, and considering the precision of the cutout work and the balance of the silhouette from narrow to slightly medium, it is natural to view this tie as a piece from around 2008 to 2018.

Regarding the era, unlike the thick material feel and bold proportions commonly seen in leather ties before the 1990s, this one features precise cutwork and a slimmer silhouette. Furthermore, because it aligns with the specification of the modern woven label seen on HERMÈS accessories from the 2000s onward, it can be considered a piece from the period when it was reinterpreted as a contemporary leather accessory.

The appeal of this tie lies in the way HERMÈS’s world of leather and the tie culture that symbolizes the Maison come together seamlessly. HERMÈS ties are often celebrated for the beauty of their silk prints and color patterns; however, here the pattern is not expressed through printing. Instead, shadows are created by cutting out the material itself, making the very presence of the decoration exceptionally sculptural.

The cutout work reminiscent of a leaf motif conveys HERMÈS’s long-standing attentiveness to the natural world, along with a garden-like poetic sensibility. The added value of this piece lies in how the robust craftsmanship associated with equestrian gear and leather goods coexists with a lighthearted playfulness as an accessory.

As a styling approach, pairing it with a shirt featuring a hidden placket or a well-tailored dress shirt preserves the tie’s inherent elegance, while the suede texture adds depth to your look. By slipping it inside a tailored jacket or a long coat, you can also naturally harmonize a classic backdrop reminiscent of HERMÈS with a modern sense of fashion. In addition, when matched with a simple set-up, the shadows created by the cutwork bring a quiet expression to the chest area—allowing you to create the focal point of your outfit without relying on jewelry. It guides you toward an elegant, intellectual impression regardless of gender.