Hermès, the renowned Parisian luxury brand, has revealed the stunning revitalization of its Chicago boutique, situated in the iconic Gold Coast neighborhood where Oak and Rush Streets intersect. This impressive makeover pays homage to the vibrant city of Chicago, affectionately known as the Windy City.
The renovated boutique showcases a striking façade with vertical metallic partitions, designed to maximize natural light. Upon entering, the ground floor welcomes visitors with an exquisite display of men’s and women’s silk collections. To the left, a dedicated space for men’s ready-to-wear offers a refined shopping experience, while a fashion jewelry corner on the right adds to the boutique’s allure.
Further exploration unveils a fragrances section with stucco-coated walls adorned with an embossed Faubourg motif. Homeware collections take center stage on an elegant podium situated at the heart of a gracefully curved staircase, which has itself received a splendid makeover.
Ascending to the first floor, you’ll discover a treasure trove of leather goods, watches, and jewelry set against a backdrop of sumptuous dark-chocolate felt layers and brown carpets, providing a delightful contrast to the lighter rugs found in the women’s shoes, ready-to-wear, and equestrian accessories areas. On the second level, a brand-new after-sales lounge and an exclusive salon await, offering panoramic views, pastel hues, and translucent curtains reminiscent of Chicago’s famous fog, creating a unique ambiance.
The interior design artfully combines natural elements such as stone, wood, metal, and felt, harmoniously blending Chicago’s rich dark brown tones with the serene blue-grey shades of a frozen lake. The first-floor carpet, featuring the Faubourg pattern and a circular design, pays tribute to the stone canyons, while the walls transition from deep chocolate on the ground floor to shades of pink, beige, and white stucco on the upper levels. Even the furniture, with its gentle curves, evokes images of leaves swaying in the wind.
Enhancing the boutique’s charm is a collection of original artworks curated from the Emile Hermès collection, including captivating photographs by Japanese artists Yuji Obata and Tomio Seike, paying tribute to the renowned ‘Snowflake’ photographer, Wilson Bentley. The collection also features a portrait of a horse by the French painter Louis Robert Heyrault and an equestrian masterpiece by Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide, alongside works by Ellen Lesperance, William Steiger, Nigel Peake, Antoine Carbonne, and French sculptor Christian Renonciat. Black-and-white photographs of American jazz legends Cozy Cole and Dizzy Gillespie grace the walls, adding a touch of musical elegance.
Hermès boasts a network of 42 boutiques across the United States, each offering a unique blend of luxury and artistic inspiration.
