British textile artist Kate Jenkins for Hermès
The Rocobarn knitted grooming parlour by Kate Jenkins for Hermes. Images @catherinesrivenerphoto
British textile artist Kate Jenkins received a dream commission from renowned French luxury brand Hermes to create the ‘Rocobarn ’, a knitted grooming parlour for the Maison’s vast new Maison on New Bond Street, Mayfair.
Now open to the public, no words can prepare the visitor for the experience within - a true feast for the senses. Spread across 55 rooms, its famous silks, leather wares, jewellery, fashion and furniture are across six buildings that date from 1769. It has the feel of a very grand private home surrounding a courtyard. Look closely, and you can see everything made by hand, from the crochet carrot chandelier to the tail-platting stations, hooficure bar and custom-knit Hermes horse shampoo ‘only for ponies’ and beauty products.
A celebration of British art and craft, attention to detail, savoir-faire, eccentricity and wit. Andy Knight Limited created the visual merchandising of dreams for this ‘most British of French brands’ as described by the sixth-generation family founder, Alex Dumas and the house’s CEO since 2013. ‘He always referred to the elegance and know-how of British equestrian culture. So it’s quite intimidating for us to be here in London, paying homage to the country we admire so much,” he told Galerie magazine.
Set over five floors, the new Maison on London’s New Bond Street was designed by Rdai ensemble, who rose to the challenge to create individual spaces for each of its 16 metiers. Lord Norman Foster’s firm designed the sweeping staircase and steel and glass roof. The colour choices throughout are dreamy - inspired by the original 19th-century mosaic floor now perfectly restored in marble and pietra dura - soft pinks and yellows offset with greys flowing through each room. Employing the very best of British art and craft along the way, from illustrator Katie Scott’s exquisite floral wallpaper to an imposing horse sculpture by British artist Jessica Wetherly.
‘We put a lot of heart into everything, a lot of creativity, ’ adds Dumas.
