MANILA, Philippines - From the moment of arrival at The Peninsula Manila, images of fantastical luxury overcame amused guests as dashing men wearing mysterious masks and lovely ladies donning silk capes welcomed invitees to the grandiose Hermès Silk Ball. The Rigodon Ballroom was transformed into a whimsical wonderland inspired by one of the French house’s most iconic creations: the carré, or silk scarf.
Robert Dumas created the very first scarf in 1937. “From the beginning, the Hermèscarré was imagined as an object, and not as an accessory,” recalls Pierre-Alexis Dumas, current creative director and grandson of the silk pioneer. “It is an object perfectly composed and autonomous, which can suffice on its own. My grandfather was fascinated by the rigor imposed by printing on silk, and he immediately addressed the creation of his motifs through composition”.
Since then, over 1,500 prints, patterns, scenes and styles have been lavishly brought to life. A select group of classic and contemporary artists have made the luxurious 90cm Brazilian silk fabric the blank canvas for their pièce de résistance. Today, a scarf is sold every 25 seconds.
So on the eve of September 18, 2014, the doors to the ballroom were opened and, lo and behold, a marvelous labyrinth of scarves and mirrors beckoned Hermès Manila’s most valued clients to get lost in the magnificent maze, and enjoy the flowing Piper-Heidsieck champagne all night long.