At its 10-day exhibition, "Hermès in the Making," mounted at Lotte World Tower’s World Park in southeastern Seoul, the French luxury design house offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into its artisans at work to demonstrate how they design, create and repair some of the brand’s most timeless products. Courtesy of Hermès French luxury maison, Korea Heritage Service join hands to restore royal artifacts By Park Han-sol Some partnerships, though surprising at first glance, simply click. Such was the case when Hermès, with its 187-year legacy rooted in the virtue of craftsmanship, announced its collaboration with the Korea Heritage Service (then the Cultural Heritage Administration) back in 2015.
Their shared goal? To restore the country’s centuries-old palatial furniture. Over the next nine years, with the support of the French luxury brand, treasures that once embodied the courtly splendor of Joseon royalty at Seoul’s Gyeongbok Palace and Deoksu Palace were brought back to life through artisanal repairs and recreations. Among them are a silver-inlaid candlestick and a crimson, dragon-engraved chair reserved for kings.
With the support of Hermès, treasures that once embodied the courtly splendor of Joseon royalty at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul have been brought back to life through artisanal repairs and recreations. Courtesy of Korea Heritage Service “What is important for Hermès is to recognize exceptional craftsmanships wherever they are,” said Guilla.