French fashion brand Hermes reopens 3 stores in Beijing

Hermes has announced the reopening of one of its three stores in Beijing. The house asserts its presence in the country with each of its thirty-fourth stores paying tribute to Chinese culture. In the relocated store of the renowned SKP shopping centre in Beijing’s Central Business District, visitors are invited to discover the contemporary interpretation of Hermès’ sixteen métiers in a space taking inspiration from traditional Shan Shui paintings and paying homage to the region’s mountainous scenery.

Embedded in a textural stone façade, a linear pattern evocative of brushstrokes is sculpted into the rocks, recalling the gradual erosion of mountains by waterfalls. Day and night, the light catches each groove, creating an interplay of shadows.

Both entrances feature the characteristic Grecques lights, the emblematic Faubourg mosaic and a wide vision of the centre staircase, which is encased in oak and flows like a river linking the two floors. Entering by the main entrance on the first floor, the women’s silk universe is flanked on one side by perfume and beauty and on the other side by the jewellery collection, which is cocooned in aquatic layers that evoke the nearby summits – an allusion to local art. Further along the path, visitors discover fashion jewellery, the women's universe, as well as leather and equestrian goods. The upper level houses the men’s universe, from ready-to-wear and silk to leather, shoes, and homeware collection. Both floors provide guests with fitting rooms and a private salon.

Designed by Parisian architecture agency RDAI, the store represents a convergence of uniqueness, heritage, and innovation. Interpretations of landscapes and traditional Chinese art merge with clean lines, tactile materials and a natural palette of ochre, sand, and watery blues. The marine-hued islands of carpet amid terrazzo floors echo the flowing water from lakes nestled in Beijing’s heights, the company said in a press release.

The décor is enhanced by a curated collection of artworks from the Émile Hermès collection, blending harmoniously with imagery from the Hermès collection of contemporary photographs. These include historic equestrian oil paintings from the German artist Johann Elias Ridinger along with Riverbank, Qutang Gorge, Yangtsé Valley, China, a contemporary print by French landscape photographer Maxence Rifflet, which playfully brings Shan Shui art to life.