Prix Émile Hermès

The Prix Émile Hermés exhibition presents the finalists in the grandiose European design competition held this year for the first time by the international fashion house Hermés. Prix Émile Hermés is on display from 30 May through 6 September 2009 at the Danish Design Centre.

The competition aims to discover and support new talents on the European design scene, and all the products in the final represent the theme "everyday lightness" - design for travel and home.

Prix Émile Hermés continues the innovative tradition established by Émile Hermés, the head of Hermés from 1921 until 1951. Émile Hermés was a true pioneer in terms of discovering new talent and realising creative visions anchored in product functionality. He brought innovations with him from his many travels and found new ways of using them. Among other innovations, he was the first to use zippers in the design of bags. Until then, zippers were only used to close folding tops on cars.

"We are thrilled to present the Prix Émile Hermés exhibition and thus help to promote new design talent. The competition is an innovative initiative from the Hermés firm, which is known for expanding its normal business areas, and which continually develops new product categories within the Hermés universe," says Christian Scherfig, managing director of the Danish Design Centre. Christian Scherfig was on the committee that represented Benelux, Sweden and Denmark and was thus involved in selecting products for the final.

The eight competition committees had to choose among 700 entries submitted by design students and designers in 14 European countries. From this group, 21 finalists were selected. Among the members in the final jury were the Italian designer Enzo Mari and Hermés two art directors Pascale Mussard and Pierre-Alexis Dumas.

The house of Hermés is one of the world's leading fashion houses, and since 1838 the firm has developed from a saddle maker to being known today for its exclusive range of perfumes, clothes, bags and accessories.

The official opening of the Prix Émile Hermés exhibition at the Danish Design Centre takes place on Friday, 29 May 2009 at 15:00-18:00. The press is very welcome, and subsequent showings or guided tours can be arranged.

For press photos:
Contact Sanne Lund Hansen, project manager, Communication &
Media, tel +45 3369 3315, slh@ddc.dk [1]