I've moved on...
...to a different domain. Why, what were you thinking? The truth is, I just woke up one day and decided it's time for a change—a metamorphosis, if you will; or, in layman's terms, if Britney can shave her head, then maybe so can I? Nevertheless, it's been a rather handsome 10 years of talking to you, and thank you for putting up with all my moodswings and terrible dad jokes. Fear not! The hormonal imbalance and jokes are more terrible on CUBICLE, see you there.

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_001

Hermès Petit h atelier, Paris

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_002

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_003

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_004 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_005

The ‘Ali Baba cave’, full of bits and bobs that were rejected, discontinued or defected.

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_006

Even the tiniest of fault in a Hermès bag would be rejected and sent to Petit h for re-purposing

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_007

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_008

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_009 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_010

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_011

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_012

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_013 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_014

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_015

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_016b

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_018

Stools with re-purposed scarves and croc leather

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_019 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_020

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_021

Silk-covered mobile

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_022

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_023b

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_025

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_026

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_030

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_031 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_032

Leather pleating detailing on a vase, which is now adapted at other ateliers at Hermès

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_033

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_034 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_035

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_036

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_037 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_038

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_039

The store on Rue de Sèvres

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_040

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_041

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_042

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_043 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_044

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_045

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_054

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_048

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_049 Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_050

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_051

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_046b

Park-n-Cube_Hermes-Petit-h_052b

Studio-shot photos courtesy of Hermès

The little sister that wanders the garden to collect acorns and bright-coloured leaves, and sits at the foot of her mother’s sewing table and picks up scraps – buttons, fabrics, ribbons- to store them all in a special place… that’s Hermès Petit h for you. She makes dolls out of discarded socks and fills them with scrap yarn, carves out the pages of an old book to make a secret box… some of her knick-knacks even have names and stories. Championed by Pascale Mussard, great-great-great-granddaugher of the saddle-maker Thierry Hermès, Petit h was a solution to the materials that were discarded, discontinued, or refused by Grand H – Hermès, which, by policy, would normally be destroyed or burnt without exception, belt buckles to Birkins. Open in 2010, it has since been a treasure cove of flawed materials from all the ateliers, and a laboratory where these materials breathed new life as absolutely unique, one-off pieces. A team of six multi-disciplinary artisans act as treasure-hunters, most well seasoned in the Hermès tradition of impeccable craftsmanship but also a few younger apprentices that Mussard believes can instil fresher takes on design.

Speaking with Pascale Mussard in the Petit h atelier, it’s astonishing, because she is that ‘little sister’. Her face animates as she tells us about her love for collecting and takes us through her life story of growing up in post-war France, being frugal but also creative with the things you have. She recalls fondly how she and her mother would imagine up new recipes using leftovers, or make play costumes with leather scrounged from the ateliers. Even during her years at Hermès she had set aside rooms and rooms to collect paraphernalia: fabrics, leathers… which would eventually evolve into the official archive of Hermes. I’ve never met anyone as passionate, I think. Ultimately, her joy of saving, taking care, and re-inventing/up-cycling would give way for treasures via Petit h. It’s been over a year since I visited the Hermès Atelier Sacs and saw a Constance bag creep into my very grown-up wish-list, but I have a feeling Petit h will be a delight to my inner child for years to come.

Petit h is setting up camp in the Bond Street store starting 20th November through till the 7th December, and let’s just say, as far as Hermès pricing goes, this may be the ideal time to start your collection. The space is being designed in collaboration with Studio Toogood, which also lends a good excuse just to pop by for a good oogle.

Write a Comment

31 Comments

  1. Gwen

    Wow! *sigh*

  2. The colours are so vibrant, and I love the detailed pictures.

    I’m always surprised at how far you have come with your blog! Lucky indeed to be able to speak with Pascale Mussard – thank you for sharing :D

  3. Beautiful article! I’m in love with Petit h for many many reasons, but most of all their concept of never discarding scraps and repurposing to make anew is simply awe-inspiring!

    There’s a wonderful inside the studio video avail as well:
    http://youtu.be/NZVBC2XrAPw

    P.s. I too am now on the hunt for a Constance!! : )

  4. Love this type of atelier, full of little treasures and things and colors …
    La parenthèse Enchantée.fr

  5. What a wonderland! Amazing photos, I love the “card” table.

    The Fashann Monster

  6. Wow, didn’t know this place existed, it all looks so creative! Love those covered wooden stools especially..

    Katie x

  7. I’ve been dying to see these photos ever since I saw your Instagram photo a while back. Eeeiikk, what a dream to wonder that space for a little while!

    xxx Carin

  8. amazingl!

    xoxo from rome
    K.
    kcomekarolina.com

  9. Oooh such a fascinating insight, I’m still crying for all the burnt Birkins though…

  10. Lucky girl, this is so awesome. sigh…if only I could visit.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

  11. Lovely post! It’s amazing to see labels like Hermes creating new and unique pieces from discarded fabrics.

    xx Nicole
    http://npk-blog.blogspot.com

  12. Can’t wait to visit the exhibition! It will be amazing…
    http://ladysarahinlondon.wordpress.com

  13. I love that they do this, and the whole idea that it’s also one off pieces are fantastic!! Amazing post yet again Shini! I only visited the Hermes sac atelier on a school trip and was already blown away on how meticulous they treated and cared for the leather, and how there is a team of people who decides which part of which leather goes on which part of the bag, the details and crafts and time that go into making these (in my opinion) justifies the cost.

  14. Amazing photos!

    http://www.FashionSnag.com

  15. […] post Petit h appeared first on PARK & […]

  16. This is incredible and great to know that scraps of good quality fabric is being used to make unique pieces. Will definitely check it out at Bond Street next week. Looking forward

    http://www.chariscity.blogspot.com

  17. This is amazing, wow! Fascinating post.

  18. sarah

    great captures of what looks like an amazing experience! i very much love the smiling lady’s cup necklace and those leather windmills! kudos to hermes for upcycling their treasured scraps.

  19. Aww, that’s such a unique and impressive idea! How beautiful, I really need to have a look. :)

  20. Aww I just love the purple vase, it’s so beautiful. Great pictures Shini, all these bright colours are delightful.
    Mafalda ❤
    http://www.mafaldadotzero.blogspot.fr

  21. And BTW, thanks for your nice comment on my blog yesterday, I was so happy and honoured (you’re a star to me!), that I woke my husband up and danced like a pixie in my living-room!

  22. Amazing atelier, amazing photos!

    http://www.hannoverfashion.com

  23. I had never heard of this line before, but the story is amazing and fascinating. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Shani x
    http://shedreamsinperfectfrench.com

  24. Oh wow. What I’d give to be a fly on the wall there. I fell in love with Hermes more than a decade ago and am lucky enough to own a handful of items. I hope one day, they’ll be passed on to my daughter who in turn will hand them down to the next generation. Since she has declared at age 7 that she’ll never marry or have children, that may be a bit doubtful….

  25. […] on my Bloglovin’ app and read this great feature with lots of visuals about Hermes’ Petit H Atelier in Paris.  I love looking at people’s studios and sketchbooks because they give a real and raw insight […]

  26. Thans fo the post. You are indeed a lucky person to speak to this talented lady of Arts.

    For Pascale Mussard, you are really talented. Your ideas of making creativity from discarded things is just amazing. I love it :) Keep posting your upcoming arts please.

    Check out Bollywood Sarees Online
    a real Indian Fashion

  27. […] For most luxury brands, exclusivity is king, but slowly, some luxury brands have been offering different takes on luxury – something that isn’t mass produced in factories but that is an alternative type of luxury – free luxury and upcycled luxury.  For decades since its inception, luxury brand Hermes did not re-use any of its offcuts, remnants or even any partly flawed designs.  In fact, they were often destroyed as it was thought that by including these within their products, the products would not longer be as exclusive or as perfect. In 2010, this all changed when Pascale Mussard (one of the Hermes family) decided to find a use for all of the scrap materials.  She came up with the fantastic idea of Petit-H – a separate line as part of Hermes that would create one-off items and upcycle these materials.  These are some photographs from the blog Park & Cube: […]

  28. This information Petit h | Park & Cube is invaluable. How can I find out more?
    flyknit http://www.asbestos-victims-support.org/video/jave.php

  29. […] (Beeld: http://www.parkandcube.com) […]

  30. C Guy

    pure joy !…

    thank you !!

  31. I’m a Philly lady, and I get pleasure from this city, yet consist of oneself BEEN in direction of the Hollywood Bowl In just a phrase, it’s magnificent.(Nonetheless, props towards us for creating the brief listing!)