Sunday 6 April 2014

My First Hermes Scarf - Les Clés / The Keys 90 cm Twill by Caty Latham

While unpacking another one of the endless boxes the other day,
 I came across my first very own Hermes Scarf.
It is an afternoon I will always fondly remember, 
I had just turned 21 and my mother and I were in Paris. 


 We went into the flagship Hermes store and she surprised me by telling me that I could have my very own bag.
As was the custom "back in those days" and still for some, 
a scarf would be tied to the handbag.

An example of he classic BCBG fashion of tying scarves to bags
(Not my bag) 
Via
My mother being in a generous mood told me to go and choose one.
I think if she weren't so busy browsing herself that she would have "suggested" something for me.


Via

As some may have experienced, 
choosing a scarf poses many questions.
Do I go for a lovely color?
Or do I go for an interesting design?
There was extra pressure on me as I knew this was a very special occasion and I wouldn't get many chances like this again so the heat was on.

Storage box for a plisse scarf

After much deliberation, I chose a classic and very popular design called Les Cles or translated and as the picture shows the keys.
It was designed by Caty Latham in 1965 and has been one of the top ten best selling scarf designs of all time.
So much so that most people who do own a Hermes scarf seem to own this one!

I remember deciding on a classic color of black, cream, and gold that I could easily match with outfits and one that went very well with my handbag.


About a decade ago, my mother and I were on a trip where I packed this scarf to wear.  During dinner a little sauce ricocheted onto my scarf. 

As we were traveling there wasn't enough time to drop the scarf off at a dry cleaners so she suggested that we soak the scarf overnight to make sure the stain was properly treated.  Now my mother isn't exactly Martha Stewart and her daughter( that would be me) didn't know any better either.  I just did as I was told. 


Well, good news was that the stain came out but so did a lot of the colors...
You may be able to see some of the color runs on the scarf
 on the pictures above.

90 cm silk scarf turned into a plisse laid flat
I wasn't able to wear the scarf as it just looked dirty and I only kept the scarf for sentimental reasons.
I couldn't sell it as it was damaged so it lay in my closet for many years.


But several years ago, I learned that Hermes offered a service that crimps or turns their scarves into the style they refer to as plisse.

Hermes no longer offers the plisse scarf readily but one must request a scarf to be sent away to Paris where it takes about 3 to 4 weeks.  If you have an Hermes scarf that you no longer wear due to damage or any other reason, it may be an idea to have it plissed.  If you have some plisse scarves already, then please do remember that the scarf must be stored rolled up in the box to sustain the shape.



I don't have to tell most of you that one shouldn't soak a silk scarf overnight!
But please remember that silk scarves really should not be worn in heavy rain and in the case of plisse scarves, please note that any drop of water will iron out and loosen the crimps! 


Rolled hem of a Hermes scarf.
If you do get the scarves dry-cleaned, please make sure to tell them not to iron the rolled up hems so as not to flatten them.  In the event that you would like to sell your scarves, the price will be much lower for a flattened hem as opposed to a nice rounded edge.
Also please try and keep the boxes that come with the scarf as the paper is acid free to ensure proper storage.

50 comments:

  1. Good job on the scarf resuscitation! Silk is so tricky... I have a few things that have been ruined, and I take my scarfs off when I'm eating to avoid any problems. Tea is the enemy however. Impossible to get a tea stain out of anything without bleach involved. Good to know that Hermes will help out with their scarfs, and I think it looks lovely as a Plisse - do you wear it much now? xx

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    1. Silk is moody too! Sometimes what works once doesn't work the next time! Yes tea and turmeric are the bane of a cleaners life...but I do wear the plissé in the summer as it is light and the air gets in between the folds. maitai has some great ways to wear them - of course! Xx

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  2. I have just forwarded this to my mother as I think this may be of use to her - Thanks N and I LOVEEDDDDDDD you "April Fool's Posts" - Quite hilarious and perfectly apt

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    1. Thanks India, glad you got the joke! I know your mum wears a lot of hermes scarves but if there is one she wants to jazz up then this may be a great solution!

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  3. I still tie my scarves around my handbag handles. I don’t own an expensive Hermes though I am craving one. Love anything silk. Tonkath

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    1. I still do sometimes but some people react oddly to it whereas it has been going on about a hundred years!! I recommend getting a hermes scarf duty free if possible as it is the same and scarves rarely ever go on sale x

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    2. S v disappointing - there's no Hermes boutique in Terminal 5 at Heathrow! Specially bad as BA long haul flights leave from there.
      How lovely that your mother took you to Hermes in Paris for a handbag and scarf! A happy memory to treasure always. So great that you were able to resurrect the water damaged scarf as a plisse. Have a few scarves that I've managed to spill things on over the years, mostly not Hermes, luckily. One is a v beautiful green silk designed by Gianni Versace that I just loved. Somehow managed to get liqueur chocolate over it. Such a klutz! Horrendous! Dry cleaner made it worse too. So sad. Many tks for advice about not letting dry cleaner iron the hems. Wouldn't have known about this otherwise, hems were probably ironed on the Versace - but it's ruined anyway. On "Resale Royalty" the boss/mother advised how important it is to keep the original scarf folds too. So that kind of rules out ever washing or cleaning - only spot cleaning. Love my scarves to death and worry every time I put one on to go out that I'll do something unspeakable to it - but also love wearing them, so I just take the chance.
      Adored the croco rouge Kelly in "Le Divorce"! Will never happen - but lovely to dream. Best wishes, Pammie xx

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    3. Yes there is only the one at I think terminal 3? My mother loves Paris and the boutique culture there. New York doesn't hold quite the same allure for her as there are already so many department stores in Asia I think she likes the contrast. Spills are just trying isnt it? I think it funny whenever people spill something at a restaurant - everyone chimes in with their own remedy. Club soda and some say just mineral water. Chocolate would be hard to get rid of in jeans even no?? Yes the folds are important and the tag! I know that Maitai gets rid of her tag but unless you are organized like her and keep it somewhere safe then it isn't worth getting rid of it. I love the emerald green and the amethyst colors!! But they only make them in exotic skins...xx

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  4. ...interesting !! that's a very nice idea from Hermes...and I loved the story of "your first Hermes scarf" I do remember that print very popular in France...I make sure actually since you told me a few years ago to always keep the original box ! :) xxx

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    1. Yes while the box is nice the acid free paper is the trick bc regular paper over time is acidic and can damage the scarf! Xxx

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  5. Your mother is a treasure, treating you to a Hermes bag, I just love the whole image of the two of you at the store!
    Very interesting about the plisse, I didn't know a thing about it. I think a scarf on a handbag is very chic!

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    1. Well I guess she was generous but I think it was part of trying yo turn me into a proper lady...but it is a lovely and sweet memory. The plissé is actually a very wearable scarf. Maitai has a section on it. X

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  6. Lovely blog post Naomi and so good to know. I remember throwing away the first couple of Hermes boxes!!.... WHAT was I thinking!!... I have, however, managed to acquire an extra box here and there (these boxes are like gold!) and so my scarves are all safely stored in their special tissue paper, inside the boxes. Such a good tip regarding the ironed edges!.... I am terrified of sending one of them to the dry-cleaner! I guess it would have to be a speclalist concern! xxx

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    1. As I bought a lot of mine duty free or on travels I never kept most of mine either and regretted it! I now store them open to enjoy looking at them rather than stuffing them inside...there are very few cleaners who are consistent with silk...but definitely tell them never to flatten those hems bc they don't puff back up! Xx

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  7. What a great post. A girl's first Hermes scarf is very important indeed! When I bought my first 90 at the Wall St. store the SA gave me the card for a dry cleaner who specializes in cleaning H scarves and knows not to the press those plump hand-rolled hems! And I'm with you, I never wear any of my H scarves in the rain, or any silk scarf for that matter, I usually stick with cotton in that case. What a lovely memory your mother created for you by treating you to your first H scarf, I would like to do the same thing for my daughter one day, if she ends up liking scarves as much as I do! XO, Jill

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    1. It was very nice of her and smart bc it has created this strong recollection and I am quite attached to it. Plissé are quite light but a drop of water ruins the crease so I get nervous wearing it in London. I think that you can let your daughter know how to wear it and it will be your opspecial momentous with her too xx

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  8. Congratulation on your first! It's beautiful!
    xo
    Sharon

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  9. What a wonderful story and a generous mother! Such a classic scarf, I love it! I'm dying to know what bag you chose!

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    1. ;) black Kelly gold hardware fjord leather so tough as boots and rain can't do a thing to it! Might post about it one day...x

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  10. This is a wonderful post and such a special gift from your mom (and in Paris!). Timeless pieces are worth keeping and trying to work with. Silk is so delicate.. I'm glad you are still enjoying this piece.

    I hope you've enjoyed your weekend! xxleslie

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    1. I am glad to find a way to make it come alive again! Otherwise it just lay sadly in my closet completely useless...xx

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  11. What a very sophisticated 21 year old you were! I think I was still trying to look like some wild punk at that age!
    A very lovely scarf, and what a great way to resurrect it!

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    1. I peaked too soon as I am hardly anymore!! But it's a great piece I hope to wear even as a granny!

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  12. Love this story! I own that Tres Kelly scarf and it once was RAINED ON! I have never recovered. xxx

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    1. I am glad you both survived although I did turn that scarf into a cushion so now I have to be careful of drinks spilling on it! Xx

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  13. Naomi, another great post.I love the recollection of you choosing your first scarf with your mother.Actually, I don't send my H scarves to the cleaners. Now, this doesn't apply to plissee scarves, but I always clean them myself, at home, following detailed instructions I got from a Hermes advice section on ebay.Hmm: I know that doesn't sound too promising but I didn't want to hand over my scarves to a local dry cleaner and had no idea what to do.I have cleaned several of them this way (I don't wear the scarves all the time so they don't get too dirty .I do like having them to look at, though) and honestly, it worked fine (for me ,anyway). It wouldn't work with plissee.I'm very pleased you've had the damage fixed by H.Xs

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    1. Thanks Sue! Washing at home is what most people I know do bc of the hem situation. I cross my fingers when I do and I try to just spit clean. With plissé it's a definite no bc it will flatten the crimps out. But I do think that it is best to stretch washes as long as you can. But I do love old silk as it's so buttery! I am glad to find this solution too xx

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  14. Buttery silk...delicious....only perish the thought of actual butter getting on the silk. Glad your scarf could be rescued. It's beautiful.

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    1. on no butter on silk would actually turn it into a concrete derivative!!! ;)

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  15. Hello Naomi,

    What an intriguing post this is. We were captivated by the idea of mother and daughter exploring the fashion houses of Paris in those heady days when glamour meant just that.

    Now, our only problem with all this talk of plissé, rolled hems, rain, flattened hems, dry cleaning and soaking overnight is..................first, we need an Hermes scarf! Absolutely love yours.

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    1. Ha! Well the solutions are at your doorstep in the event you get one. While it is a very ubiquitous scarf pattern I am glad I managed to salvage it I must say otherwise it really would have gone and become moth feed eventually!

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  16. The classic Les Clés design was an excellent choice and what a lovely idea to go to Paris for something so special to celebrate your birthday. Glad to hear that you managed to rescue your lovely scarf. I've discovered that silk and even a few drops of water really don't mix!! I've been tempted to hand wash silk tops but at the last minute always take them to the trusted dry cleaner's.

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    1. Yes it was very special to spend some time in Paris with my mother. I am glad I found a way to salvage it otherwise it would have just been baggage but yes silk is just sooo moody isn't it?

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  17. What a lovely memory to have for your first scarf. I had no idea that the tissue paper was good for storage, I always chuck the boxes away.

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    1. The thing about the boxes is that they won't give one without purchasing one so best to just keep packaging in future!

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  18. How fabulous - I have never owned something so beautiful. I think the colours will complement you so well!

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    1. They are rather safe colors that go with everything! Funny enough they rarely make this color combo anymore.

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  19. I've never heard of the plisse service, it's like greatly extending the half life of a beautiful scarf!

    What a wonderful way of being able to again wear that scarf with the lovely memories attached.

    I like to ricochet sauce onto my clothes and why I'm extra nervous wearing an Hermes scarf or white or beaded silk things to lunch or dinner.

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    1. Yes they used to sell plissé ready made but now they will crimp a scarf for you. It is very very light and quite popular for Parisian and Japanese women. I rarely see other women wear this specific style. But if you go to maitai she shows many ways to tie it. I get nervous too and learned my lesson so I take off my scarf completely when eating now!

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    2. Me too. If I ever find myself thinking I'd really like a curry or a full-hearted Italian meal, the best way to have someone suggest one is to put on a freshly-washed white top and some dry-clean only trousers! Now my hair's so long I have to tie it up to eat anything except toast. I managed to get some of my green smoothie in it the other day. Not very elegant :-(

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  20. Love the crimped look. I don't even remember my 21st present. Maybe a camera- before the digital days? Not much of a life in that.

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    1. I bough one of the first digital cameras and I regret it bc it was a total waste or money!! I have to say I hate buying electronics...I still have and use the very first iPhone for that reason!

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  21. I own just one Hermes scarf and it appears to be a plisse. I didn't know they don't do it anymore. I love mine but don't wear it often, afraid of damaging it... I know it is ridiculous... It is great that you have been able to save yours. I also had no clue about the ironing while sending them for dry cleaning.

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    1. Be very careful cleaning it! I haven't cleaned mine myself and I had to drop it off at the Hermes boutique so they would be responsible cleaning it!! It is delicate FS...

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    2. Thanks for letting me know. I will keep that in mind.

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  22. ooops! now I'm no domestic goddess and I get very scared when it comes to doing anything with delicate fabrics like silk, however I do trust my mother and she is the person I go to when I've had a mishap with any of my clothes. 'Plisse'......I didn't even know what the word was! xx

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    1. I know someone who washes silk in their machine but I have ruined viscose so cant chance it! Plisse is a french word so you didn't need to know it at all sweetie. It isn't a particularly popular style either...xx

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  23. Love that you´re sharing the story! ;) The loss of a scarf became a fun memory...

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  24. Wonderful story.

    My grandmother often worse plisse scarves. I'd forgotten all about them; you don't see many any more! (Or I don't! Maybe I'm just going to the wrong places ... )

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