Thierry Hermès

Thierry Hermès (pronounced [tjɛʁi ɛʁmɛs]; 10 January 1801 in Crefeld – 10 January 1878 in Neuilly-sur-Seine) was a French saddler and harness maker. The business that he founded was developed by his descendants and evolved into the luxury goods company known as Hermès.

As a young adult, he moved to Normandy and learned the trade of harness saddler. In 1837, he moved to Paris and opened a workshop specializing in the creation of harnesses for horses, a field in which he gained recognition at the 1867 Universal Exhibition. By the time of his death in 1878, his company was already recognized for its excellence in luxury saddlery.

His descendants played a crucial role in the development of the company, as he was succeeded by his only son, Charles-Émile, and his grandson Émile-Maurice Hermès. Later, Émile-Maurice's sons-in-law, notably Robert Dumas, contributed significantly to the company's expansion. Since 2013, the company has been headed by Axel Dumas, a member of the family's sixth generation.