Hermes

Thierry Hermès, born in 1801, was the son of an innkeeper and the godson of a master suede worker. He came to Paris in 1928 to marry and there he worked for coach makers and wholesalers, supplying them with bridles and harnesses made in his workshop. Since then, horses and anything to do with them have remained in the heritage of the company. Hermes began making jewelry in the 1950s and its fine jewelry collections from the 1970s included many distinctive styles that remain fashionable today. As one of the most luxurious brands in the world, Hermès has managed to retain its standards for quality – the house routinely racks up names on waiting lists for Birkin and Kelly handbags as well as jewelry and watches.