The French high fashion house Hermes specializes in a variety of products, including ready-to-wear clothing, leather goods and accessories and perfumes.
The Hermes Fashion House was established in Paris as a harness making shop in 1837 by Thierry Hermes (1801-1878). The line was expanded during the late 1879 by his son and successor, Charles-Emile Hermes to include the manufacture of saddles. During this period a new retail location was opened near the Palais de l'Elysee.
Following Charles-Emile's retirement, his sons Adolphe and Emile-Maurice assumed leadership of the company. They chose to rename it to Hermes Freres. By this time they were already selling saddles to customers as far abroad as Russia and Asia.