Through all this growth, Hermès remained a proudly family-run enterprise. After Émile-Maurice’s death in 1951, leadership passed to his son-in-law Robert Dumas, marking the first time the CEO did not bear the Hermès surname, though he was very much part of the family. Robert Dumas and the next generation continued to broaden the brand’s horizons, introducing new product lines like silk neckties, perfumes and timepieces, all while fiercely guarding the house’s commitment to quality craftsmanship. In 1978, Jean-Louis Dumas, Robert’s son and a great-great-grandson of Thierry Hermès, took the helm as chief executive. He guided the company through a period of global expansion in the late 20th century.

Even when Hermès pursued a public stock offering in 1993, the founding family retained control of over 80% of the firm’s shares, a testament to their ongoing dedication to independent family ownership. Since 2013, the company’s CEO has been Axel Dumas, a sixth-generation descendant of Thierry Hermès. Many other family members remain actively involved in management, helping to preserve the unique heritage and values of the house even as it thrives as a modern global luxury brand.

The Hermès saga, nearly two centuries of innovation and evolution under one family’s stewardship, all stems from the vision of its founder. The business Thierry Hermès established in 1837 would, under his successors, grow from making horse harnesses to producing the very handbags and silk scarves that define the Hermès name today. It is only fitting, then, to turn to the story of Thierry Hermès himself — the man whose foresight and artistry set this enduring legacy in motion.

By 2016, Hermès expanded further in Dubai with a new store inside Mall of the Emirates. According to Executive VP Florian Craen, this was a unique addition to their growing portfolio, representing 12 years of success in the UAE. Meanwhile, Hermès’s Dubai Mall flagship was also upgraded in 2018 into a three-level boutique at the base of the Burj Khalifa, designed as a true “enchanted world” of Hermès craftsmanship and luxury. This Dubai Mall boutique quickly became one of the brand’s largest worldwide, reinforcing the city’s global luxury reputation.

In 2023, Hermès opened a new flagship store in The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, replacing the former Etihad Towers shop. Designed by Parisian architects, the new store brings together all Hermès métiers under one roof, from men’s and women’s fashion to home decor and saddlery. The expansion reflects the brand’s long-term confidence in the UAE market and its dedication to immersive retail experiences.

Each UAE store has its own personality but maintains the same Hermès elegance and attention to detail. Since the very first opening in Dubai, Hermès has remained a favorite among Emiratis and visitors alike. These boutiques often host exclusive events and art installations, like the window display that marked the launch of the new Abu Dhabi store. From one boutique in 2004 to today’s flagships, Hermès’s journey in the UAE reflects both strong demand and a deep respect for regional luxury culture.

Hermès’s Global Expansion

Hermès started as a harness workshop in Paris in 1837 and slowly evolved into one of the world’s leading luxury brands. Its international journey began in the late 1800s, when the family was already serving elite clients in Europe, Russia, and Asia. In 1924, Hermès made a big leap by entering the United States, opening boutiques outside of France. Products had already reached New York in the early 1920s, though the brand briefly pulled back during the Great Depression.

In 1949, Hermès became the first Western luxury house to open inside a Japanese department store, Mitsukoshi in Tokyo. This move laid the foundation for Hermès’s long-standing popularity in Japan. By the 1970s, Hermès was operating multiple shops across Japan, including a Tokyo boutique with an in-house atelier.

The 1970s were a turning point. Under CEO Robert Dumas and later Jean-Louis Dumas, the company rapidly opened new stores in the US, Europe, and Asia. In 1975, Hermès opened a flagship store in London’s Mayfair, which it still occupies today. Although it briefly fell behind some trendier rivals in the late '70s, Jean-Louis revived the brand through the 1980s and expanded its retail network to more than 200 stores by the 1990s.

In 1996, Hermès opened its first store in Beijing, betting early on China’s rising luxury demand. This move paved the way for major growth across China. In 2014, Hermès unveiled a massive Maison Hermès in Shanghai, cementing China as one of its top markets. Today, the company operates over 20 boutiques across the mainland, with China making up a large share of global sales.

As the 2000s began, Hermès opened more of its signature Maison stores. In 2000, it launched a striking Maison Hermès on Madison Avenue in New York, followed by a modernist tower in Tokyo’s Ginza district in 2001, designed by Renzo Piano. That store even includes a gallery space and workshops. Hermès continued to expand in places like Seoul, Australia, and South America. At the same time, the brand strengthened its European footprint by turning franchise stores into official Hermès boutiques in cities like Berlin and Istanbul.

In 2019, Hermès opened its first boutique in Warsaw, Poland, showing that even after 180 years, it’s still exploring new markets. Today, Hermès operates more than 300 stores in over 50 countries. It carefully designs each flagship to reflect both its Parisian roots and the local culture.

Hermès’s worldwide growth has always been guided by its core values – quality, craftsmanship, and family ownership. These principles have helped the brand evolve from a single workshop into a global symbol of understated luxury, with stores everywhere from Abu Dhabi to New York, Shanghai to São Paulo.

From Chance Encounter to Icon

The story of the Hermès Birkin bag began in 1983, when actress Jane Birkin sat next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. When her straw bag tipped over, scattering her belongings, she mentioned the need for a chic yet practical handbag. Dumas sketched a design mid-flight, and by 1984, the first Birkin was born combining function, form, and French craftsmanship.

Over time, the Birkin has become a powerful status symbol among celebrities. Victoria Beckham is rumored to own more than 100 Birkins in varying colors and leathers, while Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez often feature their Hermès pieces in public appearances. Even years after its creation, the allure remains unmatched, Jane Birkin’s own original Hermès bag sold for $10 million at auction, highlighting its enduring legacy.

Recent sightings confirm that the Birkin is still a modern icon. Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner were seen in Saint-Tropez carrying Hermès bags worth nearly $400,000, while Timothée Chalamet was spotted with a vivid orange Mini Kelly, showcasing Hermès’ gender-fluid appeal. Even Lauryn Hill made the Birkin her centerpiece at the 2025 Met Gala, merging cultural heritage with modern style.

Elegance, Modern Vision, and the Kelly Bag

Before the Birkin, the Kelly bag defined quiet sophistication. First introduced in the 1930s as the Sac à Dépêches, it became iconic when Grace Kelly used it to shield her pregnancy from photographers in the 1950s. Hermès later renamed the bag in her honor, immortalizing her elegance and discretion in the world of luxury fashion.

Today, the Kelly continues to captivate a new generation. Jennifer Lawrence recently paired a five-figure Hermès Kelly with Salomon hiking sneakers in New York, effortlessly blending classic refinement with streetwear. Meanwhile, Bianca Censori made headlines carrying an oversized black Birkin at the Seoul airport, further demonstrating the brand’s dominance in global celebrity style.

Unlike most luxury houses, Hermès rejects the concept of celebrity ambassadors. The brand relies on its craftsmanship, heritage, and authenticity rather than paid endorsements. This deliberate stance preserves its exclusivity and allows admiration to grow organically among stars and collectors alike. By letting its artistry speak louder than promotion, Hermès maintains its timeless mystique a house that thrives not on marketing, but on mastery.