The Hermès story
Hermès was founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, a harness maker who served the carriage trade of nineteenth-century Europe. As the motor car replaced the horse, his descendants applied the same saddle-stitch craftsmanship to luggage, handbags and leather goods. The silk carré arrived in 1937 and the house's ties followed. Through every change the business has stayed in the hands of the founding family, now in its sixth generation.
What makes Hermès powerful
Hermès built its power on restraint. Its most famous bags, the Kelly and the Birkin, are each made by a single artisan, and the house does not chase volume. Products are made in France in its own workshops, which keeps quality, craft and supply under its own control. The orange box, the saddle-stitch and the Hermès carriage logo signal quiet authority rather than loud branding, and that reserve is part of the appeal.
Hermès today
Hermès International is listed in Paris but controlled by the Hermès family, which protects the house's independence and its pace. It trains its own leather craftspeople and continues to open new workshops in French regions, an investment in skills that few luxury houses match. The company has a reputation for steady growth and strong margins in good years and difficult ones.
What comes next for Hermès
The road ahead for Hermès is to keep scarcity and craft intact as global demand grows. Training enough artisans, protecting its supply of fine leathers and keeping the client experience personal are its main tasks. The house has shown it can grow without diluting what makes it Hermès.
Why Hermès ranks #2
Hermès ranks #4 in WCRC's World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 with a Power Score of 83.38.
Europe's ranking carries the same score, which places Hermès at #2 among brands of core European origin.
Pillar profile
Hermès was assessed on all five pillars and 50 parameters in the World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026. See its full global profile.
Versus its nearest rivals
17 Luxury & Fashion brands are in the Europe 100. Hermès is #1 in its sector.
Questions people ask
What rank is Hermès in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026?
Hermès ranks #2 of 100 in Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 83.38 out of 100. It also ranks #4 in WCRC's World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026.
When was Hermès founded and who founded it?
Hermès was founded in 1837. Founder(s): Thierry Hermès.
Who leads Hermès today?
Axel Dumas and Henri-Louis Bauer (representing Émile Hermès SAS), Executive Chairmen. The brand is owned by Hermès International (family-controlled).
Where is Hermès headquartered?
Hermès is based in Paris, France. Its country of origin is France.
What is Hermès's revenue?
€16.0bn (FY2025, +5.5%), Hermès International, according to the company's published results.
What is a signature fact about Hermès?
Hermès began as a harness and saddle workshop in Paris in 1837, and saddlery is still made by its craftsmen today.
Key facts
| Brand | Hermès |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Hermès International (family-controlled) |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Founder(s) | Thierry Hermès |
| Leadership | Axel Dumas and Henri-Louis Bauer (representing Émile Hermès SAS), Executive Chairmen |
| Latest revenue | €16.0bn (FY2025, +5.5%), Hermès International Source |
| Sector | Luxury & Fashion |
| Country of origin | France |
| Signature fact | Hermès began as a harness and saddle workshop in Paris in 1837, and saddlery is still made by its craftsmen today. |
| Official website | hermes.com |
Hermès is ranked #2 in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 (Power Score 83.38).