Where was Thierry Hermès born?

Thierry Hermès was born in Krefeld, Germany.

Thierry Hermès was born in 1801 in Krefeld, a city in western Germany that was then part of the French-controlled Département de la Roer. He later moved to France and established the Paris harness workshop that became the foundation of the Hermès company.

His early work focused on high-quality harnesses and equestrian equipment for carriage users. The business developed a reputation for workmanship, helping it attract wealthy and influential customers. Later generations expanded the company into saddlery, leather goods, silk, fashion, watches, and fragrances.

Krefeld is therefore part of Hermès’s origin story, even though the brand is strongly identified with Paris. The city is sometimes mistaken for the company’s birthplace because the first Hermès workshop was established in Paris rather than Germany.