Hermès reopens in Beijing's Peninsula Hotel

Conceived by the Parisian architecture agency RDAI, the new store is almost double the size of the original store and houses a full expression of Hermès’ 16 métiers in a series of salons.

From the outside, the new store was designed with a lengthy facade fitted with wooden diamond-shaped tiles arranged in a 3D relief inspired by the scales of the dragon statues in the nearby Forbidden City. The final touch is floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass-front entrance that maximises light and transparency into the store.

Inside, grey stone floors are contrasted with beige stucco walls, and furnishings in toffee, copper and earthy hues. Meanwhile, the walls are upholstered in artful variations of colours and textures and complete with artwork by photographer Raphaëlle Peria, as well as the drawing of the carré Astrologie Astronomie by Gianpaolo Pagni. 

Upon entry, customers will be welcomed by the women and men’s silk collections, which is flanked by fashion jewellery on one side and a dedicated perfume and beauty space on the other. Meanwhile, at the centre of the store is the iconic leather métier. From here, clients can travel to the men’s universe or through the equestrian collections to the spacious women’s salon and jewellery and watches area.

The Beijing store was the Parisian house’s first store in mainland China and opened in 1997. Today, Hermès operates 27 stores in the country including three in Beijing. Overall, it has a network of more than 300 stores in 45 countries.

In a company release, Hermès said “the redesign is a testament to the house’s long-standing history and confidence in the Chinese market and its dynamic capital city.”