Since 1837, French luxury brand Hermès follows a dual thread: the painstaking work of the craftsman in his workshop and the lifestyles of its customers. The strategy continues to grow the heritage luxury brand; consolidated revenue reached €4.1 billion in the first quarter 2025, up 9 percent at current exchange rates and 7 percent at constant exchange rates.

Despite an uncertain economic climate, luxury fashion brand Hermès recorded growth in all the geographical areas and has outpaced its French luxury rivals such as LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which reported sales down two percent.

“In a complex geopolitical and economic context, the house is strengthening its fundamentals more than ever: uncompromising quality, creativity at the heart of all development, and vertical integration, a guarantee of preserving unique savoir-faire,” said Axel Dumas, Executive Chairman of Hermès, in a statement. “Despite a high comparison basis in the first quarter, the group achieved solid growth in sales.”

At the end of March 2025, all the métiers posted growth, with the exception of the Watches and the Perfume and Beauty métiers. The Leather Goods and Saddlery métier (+10%) achieved a robust performance, driven by sustained demand and the enrichment of collections, notably with the new Médor and Mousqueton bags. 

The increase in production capacities continued, with the upcoming inauguration of L’Isle-d’Espagnac leather goods workshop this year and those in Loupes and Charleville-Mézières scheduled to open in 2026 and 2027, respectively. They will reinforce the nine centres of expertise located across the national territory. Hermès continues to reinforce its anchoring in France through the development of employment and training.

The Ready-to-wear and Accessories (+7%) confirmed its momentum. The women’s autumn-winter 2025 collection was presented in March at the Garde Républicaine. The men’s autumn-winter 2025 runway show unveiled at the Palais d’Iéna in January was also well received. The Silk and Textiles sector (+5%) grew thanks to the dynamic of formats, the diversity of fabrics and creations that have continued to enliven the collections in both the women’s and men’s universes.

Perfume and Beauty, stable, continued their development with the launch of Terre d’Hermès Eau de Parfum Intense. The Hermès Beauty collection was enriched with the new Rouge Brillant Silky, available in  fourteen  permanent shades, and a limited edition of three lipsticks.

In a still challenging context, the Watches métier (-10%) enriched its offering, notably with the new versions of the Hermès H08 and the Arceau Le temps voyageur. The house also unveiled at the Geneva Watches  and Wonders exhibition in early April, two new expressions of its iconic complication Le temps suspendu, on the Arceau and Hermès Cut lines.

The Other Hermès sectors (+6%), driven by Jewellery, highlight the singularity and creative strength of the house. The new porcelain tableware collection, Hermès en contrepoint, was unveiled in January, in Paris.

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Outlook in 2025

In a more complex economic and geopolitical context, the group has moved into 2025 with confidence, owing to the highly integrated artisanal model, the balanced distribution network, the creativity of collections and client loyalty. Hermès is pursuing its long-term development strategy based on creativity, maintaining control over know-how and singular communication—thanks to its unique business model. “Drawn To Craft” is the theme of the year. From the saddle stitch to the pencil stroke, everything at Hermès begins with drawing. It’s the link that binds the luxury brand, the language of a material being shaped. It will carry them – walking, trotting and galloping – along the paths of creation.

5 Lesser-known facts about Hermès

Started as a Horse Harness Workshop
Hermès began in 1837 as a harness and saddle workshop specifically for European nobility. Thierry Hermès, the founder, created high-quality harnesses and bridles, establishing the brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship long before it became synonymous with luxury handbags and accessories.

The Orange Box
Hermès’ iconic orange boxes weren’t originally part of the brand’s identity. During World War II, due to material shortages, Hermès switched from cream-coloured boxes with a gold trim to orange ones as they were available. The orange colour has since become a signature symbol of the brand, representing Hermès’ ability to adapt while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic.

A Single Craftsman Per Bag
Each Hermès bag is handcrafted by a single artisan from start to finish. This tradition ensures a high level of quality and continuity in each product and is a significant factor in the limited production and exclusivity of items like the Birkin and Kelly bags.

Early Adoption of the Zipper
Hermès was among the first to introduce the zipper to France, integrating it into leather goods and clothing. In the 1920s, Émile-Maurice Hermès acquired exclusive French rights to the zipper, which was used in their bags and leather jackets, making them one of the pioneers in blending utility with luxury design.

Secretive and Exclusive Scarf Production
Hermès’ famous silk scarves are meticulously crafted. Each scarf can take up to two years to produce, from the initial design phase to the final product. The brand employs highly skilled artisans to hand-draw and screen-print each scarf, with some designs using over thirty colours. Hermès releases limited-edition scarves each year, making them collectibles and often available only to select customers.