Quietly Questioning: The Understated Dilemma of Hermès’ Latest Collection
Review of Hermès Fall 2024 Fashion Show
By Mackenzie Richard
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
THE THEME
As Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski continues her journey at Hermès, her Fall 2024 collection serves as a contemplative exploration of minimalism in the pursuit of quiet luxury. The collection, characterized by its monochromatic palette, displays a dedication to cohesion and craftsmanship that Hermès is known for. Yet, in this season’s offerings, there lies a tension between the brand’s storied heritage and the present collection’s conservative approach. While the pieces are impeccably tailored, there’s a discernible reticence to push the creative boundaries, leaving a space where the Hermès identity could have been more boldly asserted.
The collection’s adherence to a subdued color scheme and the introduction of restrained edgy elements, like the studded details, reveal a cautious side of Vanhee-Cybulski’s design ethos. This conservative execution provokes a dialogue on the place of innovation within the lexicon of luxury and whether an overemphasis on subtlety might risk Hermès blending into the backdrop of a season dominated by similar monochromatic trends. The collection’s vision of minimalism is indeed refined, but it prompts reflection on the equilibrium between simplicity and the captivating allure that is quintessentially Hermès.
In a season where minimalism whispers too softly, one must ask: Has Hermès’ pursuit of understated elegance led them into the shadows of innovation’s brighter lights?
THE BUZZWORDS
Monochromatic, Conservative, & Underimagined
THE SHOWSTOPPER
Look # 24
In the sea of Hermès’ Fall 2024 collection, one look stood as a beacon of the collection’s untapped potential – a statement that combines luxury with a rocker’s edge. This ensemble, with its sleek leather and audacious fur accents, captures the essence of what the brand could explore further. It is here, at this crossroads of opulence and rebellion, where Hermès could redefine the archetype of a modern rock star draped in the finesse of high fashion. This look challenges the quieter notes of the collection and beckons for a bolder narrative, hinting at a direction that could propel the storied house into a future where the whispers of rock’s defiance are as luxurious as the finest silk.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
Hermès’s Fall 2024 collection underscores the delicate balance between tradition and evolution within the hallowed halls of high fashion. While Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski has previously navigated this terrain with a keen eye for innovation, this season’s focus on foundational pieces suggests a moment of reflection rather than bold exploration. The collection, though flawlessly executed, hints at a cautious path, with fleeting moments of creativity—such as the notable printed silk in look 13—offering a tantalizing glimpse of the potential for greater dynamism and daring.
For the house to continue captivating its audience, a more audacious direction may prove fruitful. The opportunity lies in Vanhee-Cybulski’s ability to marry the impeccable craftsmanship emblematic of Hermès with a renewed narrative ambition, pushing beyond the comfort of the familiar to embrace the thrilling possibilities of the new. The brand’s legacy of luxury, rooted in meticulous attention to detail and an unparalleled aesthetic, provides a fertile ground for such exploration.
As Hermès looks to the future, embracing a strategy that pairs its storied heritage with a fearless pursuit of innovation could amplify its voice in a crowded fashion landscape. By daring to venture into uncharted stylistic territories, Hermès has the chance to redefine what luxury means in the 21st century, ensuring that its whisper becomes a resonant echo that reverberates through the annals of fashion history.
