Cover At Milan Design Week 2024, Hermès presented its new collections with archival pieces, demonstrating their timelessness
At Milan Design Week 2024, Hermès presented its new collections with archival pieces, demonstrating their timelessness
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Florence Lafarge, creative director of home textiles and the children’s universe at Hermès, discusses meaningful objects, essential elegance, and the brand’s timeless vocabulary of luxury
Luxury is inherent in everything Hermès does; from the material sourcing, production and craftsmanship of its products to its sophisticatedly designed printed collaterals, all are done with care and clear intent. It seems to also be a rule, or at least a consensus, that the word luxury itself need not be mentioned, only precisely articulated.
“We don’t really like this word at all,” says Florence Lafarge, the brand’s creative director of home textiles and the children’s universe, in French. “We would like more than anything else to talk about good craftsmanship, good materials, beauty and timelessness.” We are sitting on the steps next to The Topography of Materials by Hermès, the brand’s deeply meditative installation at La Pelota, during Milan Design Week, with veteran interpreter Paolo Maria Noseda between us, translating her French into English.
She elaborates further, explaining that the term “luxury” often implies “ostentation”, which can overshadow the intrinsic value of the object itself. True luxury, she says, is not about a superficial label, but rather the essence of the object. “It’s about the quality of the materials, exceptional craftsmanship, and the thoughtful use of colour.”
Above At Milan Design Week 2024, Hermès presented its new collections with archival pieces, demonstrating their timelessness
Above The jockey’s blouse from the ‘50s
At Milan Design Week 2024, Hermès presented its new collections with archival pieces, demonstrating their timelessness
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A graduate of the Boulle School of Art and Design and the Duperré School of Applied Arts, Lafarge’s career in fine textiles began in 1993 with Primrose Bordier. She was recruited by Kenzo Takada as the director of style for Kenzo Home in 1998 and spent the next decade designing the brand’s homeware collections.
She joined Hermès in 2009 as creative director of art de vivre before being appointed to her current position four years later. She describes her typical day at work as structured around meetings, research and presentations. “I collaborate closely with my team of designers and engineers—they’re all women, by the way,” she shares proudly. Beyond the team, she collaborates with craftsmen in various workshops. “Their technical expertise ensures our designs remain innovative and grounded in reality.”
When asked about the latest technologies in the home textile universe that she is most excited about, she says she would rather focus on the know-how instead: “Technology is often associated with mass production at an industrial scale. At Hermès, our textile creations reflect the richness and creativity of the brand, especially through our expertise in dyeing and cashmere techniques.”
Above The brand’s large-format home textile items include the 280x280cm Hippique bedspread
Above The new Tartan Dye bed cover from Hermès
The brand’s large-format home textile items include the 280x280cm Hippique bedspread
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The brand’s new home textiles offerings launched at Milan Design Week 2024 feature larger-sized designs that push the boundaries of craftsmanship.
While Lafarge’s primary focus centres on the creative aspects of her role rather than tracking consumer preferences, she has indeed observed a notable shift in what customers seek. “There is a certain attraction to objects that are meaningful—those that evoke sweetness or have a new function,” she says.
This notion of sweetness goes beyond mere aesthetics; it encapsulates a sense of comfort, emotional resonance, and respect for the user’s experience. By blending functionality with a tactile and visual appeal, these designs aim to foster a deeper connection with their owners. For instance, the introduction of bed covers reflects this philosophy—offering not just utility, but also a sense of warmth and intimacy.
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Above The 195x150cm cashmere Altitude blanket
The 195x150cm cashmere Altitude blanket
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Asked about what she foresees shaping the home textiles world in the future, she says: “The focus will likely move toward timeless, meaningful creations that resonate on a personal level with users. Rather than follow fleeting fashions, there’s a growing appreciation for craftsmanship, quality materials, and designs that integrate seamlessly into everyday life.” This was highlighted at Hermès’ showcase at Milan Design Week, in which new home items were presented with archival pieces to create a temporal ambiguity.
Sustainability will also remain a key driver, influencing both the sourcing of materials and the way objects are designed to endure over time. Hermès, she notes, is acutely aware of the sources of materials it uses, and closely monitors suppliers for compliance with sustainability standards.
This commitment aligns with the brand’s ethos of integrity and respect for nature. As Lafarge points out: “the sourcing of top-quality materials in good condition becomes rarer and more precious.” This rarity highlights the brand’s dedication to excellence and enhances the value of its creations.
Here, luxury is intertwined with responsibility; it is about crafting beautiful, meaningful objects that reflect exceptional quality and an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
Above Florence Lafarge, creative director of home textiles and the children’s universe at Hermès
Florence Lafarge, creative director of home textiles and the children’s universe at Hermès
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Credits
Translation: French to English interpretation by Paolo Maria Noseda
Photography: Carole Bellaïche and Maxime Verret
Images: Courtesy of Hermès
Topics
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
