Hermès has brought its craftsmanship, Parisian style and highly coveted orange boxes to its new store in the Miami Design District. Located at 163 E. 39th St., this is the brand’s third flagship store in the U.S.—the other two are located on Madison Avenue in New York City and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. In regards to why he chose the Design District for the prestigious firm’s new boutique, Hermès Chairman and CEO Axel Dumas said, “For the French, Miami embodies the dream of paradise. Miami has become one of the design capitals of the world, and a hub for Latin America.” Hermès celebrated the store’s opening with a parade through the Design District and a Flamingo Party, calling to mind Miami’s culturally colorful heritage.
The 13,000-square-foot store ventures into a new locale for Hermès. When their lease expired in Miami’s Bal Harbour Shops, the firm opened a temporary store in the Design District while building the new flagship nearby. The new store’s façade was designed by Paris-based architectural firm RDAI’s Artistic Director, Denis Montel. It can be described as a glass box covered with an exoskeleton of steel beams painted white and striated with hundreds of vertical steel tubes of varying thickness. In the afternoon hours, the sun shines through the building’s façade, casting an interesting shadow play across the interior’s terrazzo floors. The floor-to-ceiling glass and incoming natural light create a welcoming atmosphere for shoppers to enjoy the full Hermès collection.
The store showcases 14 product categories ranging from leather goods0–including the coveted Birkin and Kelly handbags–to iconic silk scarves, ties and men’s cashmere suits. On the first floor, signature leather accents, namely a harness and saddle maker, evoke the brand’s roots. Items for the home, the brand’s furniture and accessories are displayed against a backdrop of warm walnut hues.
The first floor also features a boutique for Crystal Saint-Louis, with displayed glassware shimmering against dark oak shelves. This is only U.S. store that features items from Europe’s oldest operating glass-maker—founded in 1586. The centerpiece of this floor is the large, swooping staircase inviting visitors up to the second and third floors.
The second level showcases Hermès’ silk scarves and accessories, with nooks displaying fashion jewelry and watches. The third floor showcases handbags, apparel, shoes, saddles and the Hermès fragrance lines. The brightly colored leather goods have been specially selected to reflect Florida’s ambience. You’ll find the commemorative Flamingo Party silk scarf, specially designed by Hermès collaborator and cousin of the Dumas family, Laurence Bourthoumieux. The scarf features two flamingos—known for their mating dances—entwined, their necks forming a heart. Perfect for Miami.■
