After graduating with a degree in visual arts from Brown University in the USA, Pierre-Alexis Dumas began his working life in Paris in the creative departments of Saint Louis Crystalmakers and Puiforcat, silversmiths. He joined Hermès in 1993, initially working for 5 years in Hong Kong for Hermès’Asian subsidiaries. He served as head of those subsidiaries from 1996 to 1998, managing operations for Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. He then moved to England as Managing Director of Hermes (GB) until 2002, when he returned to Paris to take up the role of Deputy Artistic Director under Jean-Louis Dumas. In 2005 he was appointed Artistic Director, alongside his cousin, Pascale Mussard.
In May 2008 he created the Fondation d’Entreprise Hermès, of which he is president. This initiative formalised Hermes’ non-commercial activities supporting the performing and visual arts and design sectors as well as working on projects to assist with sustainable development, education and the promotion and preservation of craft.
In June 2008 he embarked upon a new adventure, Wally Hermès Yachts. WHY was the result of the joint-venture between Hermès and Wally, to develop a new type of motor yacht redefining the art of living on the sea. The first project was launched at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2009.
In January 2009 he was appointed Hermès’ General Artistic Director and is now charged with overseeing all of Hermès’ design and image creation.
Hermès is an iconic French brand revered for unrivalled commitment to innovating excellence and promoting craftsmanship. By drawing on the finest raw materials and insisting on the application of the basic Hermes values of functionality, beauty, comfort and attention to detail in the design of its objects, the company continues its steady growth, inspired by the spirit of the generations that built its history. Pierre-Alexis Dumas is a sixth generation member of the original family.
Today, the Hermès name appears on 17 different groups of products: bags and luggage, diaries and small leather goods, saddlery, silk, women’s ready-to-wear, men’s ready-to-wear, jewellery, watches, belts, gloves, footwear, hats, enamel, art of living, tableware, and perfume alongside Hermès Intérieur et Design’s services.
The full range of products is available worldwide through a network of 297 exclusive stores and 37 other retail outlets. Hermès watches, perfumes, and tableware are also sold through a network of specialist stores, in airport duty-free stores and on board aircraft.
