The Hermès Carré Club has already delighted visitors in Paris, Milan, Los Angeles, New York, Singapore and Toronto, so when the time came for its doors to open in the UAE, Dubai was not about to disappoint. Adding a thrilling buzz of electricity to Alserkal Avenue, on entering the pop-up premises at Concrete, Grazia was greeted by an oh-so-Instagrammable Wes Anderson-inspired welcome desk that wouldn’t look out of place at The Grand Budapest Hotel complete with an Hermès waistcoat-clad concierge.
Once inside, there’s a dizzying array of arts and activities transporting you on a journey into the heart and soul of the French luxury maison will make your head spin. Here’s Grazia‘s list of what can’t be missed…
1. Meet the illustrators behind the iconic silk squares in the Carré Studio
The creativity and craftmanship involved in bringing an Hermès silk square to life takes place in real time at the Carré Studio thanks to the true geniuses at work. Tokyo-based artist Daiske Nomura reveals how he fuses Japanese Manga with Hermès house codes; Octave Marsal and Théo de Gueltzl demonstrate their gigantic drawing machine; while Gianpaolo Pagni stamps scarves before your very eyes. Prepare to be inspired.
2. Take a voyage into outer space inside the Carré Cube
Parisian animation director and illustrator Ugo Bienvenu has created Space Journey – an intergalactic, immersive video installation that’s out of this world. Pro tip: Timelapse is your friend when you’re ‘gramming inside the Carré Cube, trust us.
3. Learn the art of tying the perfect turban at Carré Knot
Ever wondered how the jet set effortlessly twist their Hermès Carrés into turbans and chic statement headpieces? Us too. Thanks to live styling masterclasses with Dubai-based stylists Jennifer Kolomoni and Carmel Harrison at Carré Knot, you’ll learn how to recreate the look – and snap a selfie in the most flattering lighting in the emirate!
4. Become a work of art
Such was the success of Cyrille Diatkine and Sketchomaton at the Carré Club’s LA edition, Hermès has brought this speedy sketch artist to Dubai. When he’s not designing silk scarves for Hermès, he’s immortalising his subjects in such a way that everybody looks instantly thinner, chicer, and slightly more French. Sign us up. Be warned: a sketch session with Cyrille is in high demand, so make sure you put your name on the waiting list as soon as you arrive.
5. Marvel at the s8r bois at Carré Park
Every hour, skaters will tear up the purpose-built ramp at Carré Park – all rocking Hermès scarves, of course.
6. Attend one of the live design talks at Carré Café
Talks so far have included a glimpse at the creative process involved in the conception of an Hermès silk scarf with Christophe Goineau, Creative Director of Men’s Silk and artist Daiske Nomura and a conversation about the stamping technique with Cosima Balsan, Drawings and Graphic Design Studio’s Director, and artist Gianpaolo Pagni.
7. Support the region’s local music scene
The Hermès Carré Club is also giving local musicians and artists a platform, including Dubai-based DJs Lobito Brigante, Megatronic, and James Locksmith, and singers Abri & Co, Mushaisnah Four, and Shébani.
8. Show off your vocal stylings at Carré OK
Whether it’s Elvis’s Love Me Tender, Elton John and Kiki Dee’s Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, or Rihanna’s Pon de Replay, there’s a song inspired by every scarf. We challenge you to sing them all.
Visit The Hermès Carré Club at Concrete, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai from 12pm to 10pm until 20 January 2021. Find the full programme of events here. Book your tickets here. The Grazia girls will see you there!
Photos: Richard Butterfield courtesy of Hermès
