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

From Hermès, founded in Paris in 1837 as a saddlery, which has fused unparalleled leather craftsmanship with the refined sophistication of decorative pieces, including silk, we are pleased to present a special piece where the maison’s material beauty and playfulness quietly intersect.

This piece uses black suede as the material, and by layering precise cutwork reminiscent of a leaf motif and a central decorative stitch onto the classic form of a tie, it translates Hermès’ distinctive leather expression to the chest.

First and notably, rather than a typical silk tie, the main material is suede with a soft brushed texture, so despite being leather, it does not feel heavy; its matte finish gently absorbs light, creating deep shadows within the black.

The wide end features cutouts arranged on both sides that resemble a chain of leaves; the opening is exceptionally sharp, and because the edges are cleanly cut while suppressing the nap of the material, it lends lightness and rhythm to the leather’s three-dimensional form, imparting a quiet yet definite graphic presence at the chest.

In the center runs a vertical, thick thread chain-stitch decoration, serving like the veins of a leaf in the leaf motif, and not merely ornament but functioning as an axis that consolidates the material direction and the design flow; this is incredibly beautiful.

The reverse is made of glossy black satin, and the contrast between the suede’s soft nap on the surface and the smooth interior bestows Hermès-like material elegance even on the unseen parts.

The label confirms the woven name HERMÈS-PARIS, and in addition to the modern accessories line specifications woven with light-colored thread on a black ground, considering the precision of the cutouts and the silhouette balance leaning from narrow toward medium, it is natural to regard this as a piece from around 2008 to 2018.

In terms of era, unlike the thick material feel and large-scale forms common to leather ties before the 1990s, this piece features precise cutwork and a slender silhouette, and it also aligns with the modern woven-label specifications seen in Hermès accessories since the 2000s, making it a specimen reinterpretation as a contemporary leather accessory.

The charm of this tie lies in the overlap of the leather world that Hermès excels in and the tie culture that characterizes the Maison. Hermès ties are traditionally celebrated for the beauty of silk prints and colors, but here the pattern is not expressed by printing; instead, the material itself is cut to create shading, making the decoration itself highly sculptural.

Moreover, the leaf-motif-inspired cutouts convey Hermès’ long-standing attention to natural elements and garden-poetic sensibility; the coexistence of rugged saddlery craftsmanship in leather goods with the light, playful aspect of an accessory provides a unique value to this piece.

Styling-wise, pairing it with a double-breasted shirt or a neatly tailored dress shirt maintains the tie’s inherent dignity, while the suede texture adds depth to the outfit; by slipping it inside a tailored jacket or a long coat, one can naturally balance Hermès’ classic background with contemporary mood. Furthermore, when paired with a simple setup, the shadows of the cutwork create a quiet expression at the chest, and since it does not rely on jewelry to define the outfit’s weight, it leads to an elegant and intellectual impression suitable for any gender.