Until mid-November, those passing the Hermès boutique at 691 Madison Avenue will be treated to a host of wooden carvings of the label’s iconic 'Carrés' scarves. Created by contemporary Dutch artist Levi van Veluw as part of the French house’s ongoing artist display series Vitrine D’Artiste, the autumn windows celebrate the launch of the brand’s theme for this year: 'Nature at Full Gallop'.
This latest installment sees van Veluw explore the connection between order and chaos, while paying homage to the brand’s equestrian tradition and exquisite craftsmanship. Finely carved wooden grids, filigree, geometric shapes and wooden veneers come together to form intricately-crafted ‘worlds’ – three-dimensional interpretations of Hermès’ signature silk scarf. ‘The scarf is timeless and possesses many of the elements and themes I work with,’ says van Veluw. ‘It was logical to use these for inspiration. I created my own patterns and shapes to make very sophisticated layered windows.'
An Hermès boot emerges from the carving in one window
Upon closer inspection of the kaleidoscopic windows, Hermès’ trademark leather accessories – along with its newly-launched women’s fragrance, Galop d’Hermès – emerge among the designs. The harmony between artwork and product was precisely the intention behind the windows. ‘My ambition was to make artworks that fully integrate the products – they really had to be part of it. I approached the products as shapes and materials and transformed them into an abstract installation,’ says van Veluw, whose personal work often features a combination of grids and geometrical shapes – elements that are instantly recognisable in the Madison Avenue boutique’s window displays.
It's this shared vision and focus on craftsmanship that has seen the collaboration between the luxury house and the contemporary artist continue into its second iteration. Says van Veluw on how he thinks his work relates to the brand’s iconic imagery: ‘I think the Hermès aesthetic results in how they approach the products. They take their craft extremely seriously – everything has to be perfect.’
Part of the Vitrine D’Artiste window series, the designs celebrate the launch of the brand’s theme for this year: 'Nature at Full Gallop'
Hermès’ distinct leather accessories are featured in the carvings
The brand's newly-launched women’s fragrance, 'Galop d’Hermès, also appears
INFORMATION
Levi van Veluw’s windows will be on display until 19 November. For more information, visit the Hermès website
ADDRESS
-
Milan Fashion Week Men’s A/W 2025 highlights: Dolce & Gabbana to Emporio ArmaniDespite a reduced schedule, Milan Fashion Week Men’s arrives this weekend with plenty of intrigue, beginning with high-wattage shows from Dolce & Gabbana and Emporio Armani. Wallpaper* fashion features editor Jack Moss reports from Milan
-
Rio Kobayashi’s new furniture bridges eras, shown alongside Fritz Rauh’s midcentury paintings at Blunk SpaceFurniture designer Rio Kobayashi unveils a new series, informed by the paintings of midcentury artist Fritz Rauh, at California’s Blunk Space
-
New York restaurant Locanda Verde’s second outpost will transport you to a different time and placeLocanda Verde’s expansive new Hudson Yards osteria exudes a sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere overflowing with art treasures
-
Unboxing beauty products from 2024, as seen on the pages of Wallpaper*Wallpaper's 2024 beauty picks included Chanel lipstick, Bottega Veneta perfume and solid soap from the likes of Aesop, Celine, Diptyque, Hermès and Sisley
-
These illuminating fashion interviews tell the story of style in 2024Selected by fashion features editor Jack Moss from the pages of Wallpaper*, these interviews tell the stories behind the designers who have shaped 2024 – from Kim Jones to Tory Burch, Willy Chavarria to Martine Rose
-
Hermès Beauty’s eye and lip pencils invite playfulness with colour and textureHermès Beauty’s creative director Gregoris Pyrpylis has added to the ‘Trait d’Hermès’ collection with a set of eye and lip liners in kaleidoscopic colours. Here, he speaks to Wallpaper* about their playful design
-
The story behind Hermès’ ‘Barénia’, a perfume that took nearly ten years to makeHermès’ ‘Barénia’ is the house’s first-ever chypre fragrance. Christine Nagel tells Wallpaper* why it was almost ten years in the making
-
Sourcewhere is the app helping you find the rarest fashion grailsSourcewhere uses a network of experts and personal shoppers to source rare vintage and limited-edition fashion, from Phoebe Philo’s Céline to Margiela-era Hermès. Here, founder Erica Wright tells Wallpaper* why it’s reflecting a wider change in the way people shop luxury fashion
-
Why solid soap is the most pleasurable object to bathe withSolid soap provides a tactile bathing experience like no other. Hannah Tindle explores why in the September 2024 Style Issue of Wallpaper*, with soaps by Chanel, Celine, Diptyque, and more, photographed by Sophie Gladstone
-
The best sunscreens for your face, selected by the Wallpaper* beauty editorsThis list of the best sunscreens for your face has been compiled by Wallpaper* editors Mary Cleary and Hannah Tindle, who are highly selective about SPF
-
’What is the life of a woman?’: Nadège Vanhée on a decade of womenswear at HermèsFor the past ten years, Nadège Vanhée, head of womenswear at Hermès, has steered the French maison on a quietly rebellious path, exploring notions of contemplation, liberation and sensuality. Speaking to fashion features editor Jack Moss, she unpacks her evolution
