Hermès

Thierry Hermès opened his first workshop in Paris in 1837 to build high-quality harnesses and saddles for the city's horse-drawn carriages. The family business grew from those equestrian roots into a global luxury empire that now spans leather goods, silk scarves, jewelry, and perfumery. A beauty division launched in 2020 added fragrances like Un Jardin sur le Nil to their portfolio.

The company operates through the H51 holding structure, keeping control firmly within the founder's descendants across three branches. While Patrick Thomas led as CEO from 2003 to 2013, the executive team remains deeply rooted in the family lineage. Roughly 26,500 employees work across 63 manufacturing sites, most of which stay in France to preserve artisanal standards.

Hermès distinguishes itself by refusing to discount products or chase volume marketing. This strategy of scarcity means iconic items like the Birkin often sit on waiting lists rather than open shelves. In 2025, the firm reported sales of €16 billion and net income of €4.5 billion while expanding into new suburban markets in the United States. [edit]