In anticipation of the Hermès Kite Festival 2025, BAZAAR talks to the Maison’s go-to silk expert to better understand the limitless styling potential of this iconic piece of fabric.
Text: Abdul Aziz Draim. Images: Hermès; Beat Streuli for Hermès.
The Hermès Kite Festival is set to colour the KL skyline this month, in celebration of the Maison’s of its beloved scarves. Truthfully, throughout history, there’s no other silk scarf more iconic than the Hermès silk scarf. Originally created in 1937, the Hermès silk scarf has become a celebrated style object, manipulated in various ways to suit the personal style of its wearer. From fashion circles and society shindigs, to pop culture’s far-reaching spectrum, Hermès silk has been tied (pun not intended) to some of the world’s most influential men and women, favoured by the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Luciano Pavorotti, Jude Law, and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales. Queen Elizabeth II was regularly photographed wearing a Hermès carré as a headscarf. One such photo was even immortalised on a postage stamp celebrating her 60th birthday in 1986. But the most creative use of the fabric in recorded history? In 1957, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco wore a Hermès carré as a sling for her broken arm.
Her arm in a Hermès arm sling, Princess Grace of Monaco prepares to board the yacht of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis for a 10-day cruise in the Mediterranean. Photo: Getty Images.
As far as styling goes, the Hermès silk scarf can be worn on the person in a multitude of ways. As a bandana, blouse, belt, bowtie, cravat, hair tie, head wrap, or wrist wrap maybe? Even when worn as an actual scarf, its application is never straightforward because the styling possibilities are infinite. As a shawl, or a bib perhaps? How about with a Parisian knot or secured with a brooch for added personality? Let’s not forget the scarf’s popular use as an elegant flourish to adorn one’s bag.
But seeing as its styling potential knows no limit, how should one start? In an exclusive interview, BAZAAR talks to Cecile Pesce, creative director of women’s silk at Hermès, to delve deeper into the charm, beauty and influence of this very versatile piece of fabric.
Cecile Pesce, creative director of women’s silk at Hermès
Hermès silk scarves have been iconic since their inception in 1937. How do you adapt such a storied piece to resonate with modern style sensibilities?
We want to preserve the tradition; I would even say the academicism of the carré, yet restructure it for a modern age. A carré can be endlessly reinvented, and with the freedom of creation us designers are given at Hermès, we are encouraged to play with limits, deconstruct imposed constraints, (and) push our imaginations. This allows us to keep the carré modern yet timeless at the same time.
There’s such a wide range of scarves to choose from, in terms of size and types of design—and the options can feel overwhelming. What should one take into consideration when buying an Hermes carré? Does it simply boil down to buying what you like?
There isn’t a perfect carré because they all are. My advice would be to go to an Hermès store and to try the models that speak to you. You should try on a scarf like you would try on jeans, a suit or heels before buying them. The first step would be choosing the format. The next step (is) considering if you want to use it as an everyday companion or (as) a fashion accessory. The most important thing is to let your desires guide you.
How To Start
What advice would you give to someone styling a carré for the first time? How should they start, and where can they go from there?
I think that the goal of the silk at Hermès is to reveal and release the imagination. The more the way of wearing a scarf or a muffler is personal, the more it speaks of its wearer, and the more it gives character and elegance. So I always try to show different ways of wearing our silk, so that everyone can find their own way, rather than imposing a style each season. If style is a question of repetition, I think that elegance is a question of choice. I am always very interested in new ways to wear or associate accessories. My most important recommendation is to experiment with different knots and to choose the one in which you feel the best, the most in tune with yourself. You must at the end feel more beautiful, and even have more self-confidence. If this is not the case, change your scarf or the knot.
How do you come up with creative ways to style the Hermes scarf? Is it all based on a French way of styling?
Everyone should express themselves with freedom. It is cool to have the confidence to create a unique style, breaking away from universal stereotypes. However, regardless of what you wear and how you wear it, the most important thing is that you like it and feel comfortable wearing it. That is the key. Hermès is a French house, yes, but (we are) open to the world. I think this is important and very inspiring. Everything is about encounters.
The Right Format
From your perspective, how can women incorporate Hermès silk scarves into their everyday wardrobe while maintaining a balance between elegance and practicality?
There are many formats for everyone to choose from. Each format can be used differently—some as tops, some can be tied to bags, some can be worn as bracelets, hair ties, et cetera. In the end, elegance is about feeling comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing, and the convenience of the carré allows it to do just that.
Which is your personal favourite way to wear or style an Hermès scarf?
I like the 140 format which allows you to play with how you fold it, wear it and put forward the print—there’s something audacious (about) wearing it as a shawl. The carré 70 format is ideal to wear on your head—it can be slipped on anywhere! Finally, I always have a carré 90 in my bag that I can take out at any time to wrap around my neck or to just look at and admire it. The 90 is our classic format, the one that allowed us to start telling stories through carrés.
I’d say each format has its own use. There isn’t a right or wrong way to wear a carré. Anything can work. What’s important is to make the carré your own. The rich nature of its composition makes it a joyful object that can be freely personalised. It depends on your outfit. You can wear it as a top, drape it around your neck and let the ends flow down your back to create a striking look. A scarf’s style is completed by the way the wearer moves. Similarly, in the evening, you can opt for a more eye-catching style or choose a large, dramatic shawl. On weekends, for a more relaxed vibe, you can pair it with a tracksuit and wear it as a bandana to add a subtle point to your look. The ways you style a scarf change based on the occasion, mood, activity, and outfit of the day. It really is a playground.
Women usually style the scarf to cover their hair, their neck, or their handbag. What would you say is a style or area that is somewhat underrated or often overlooked when it comes to styling with a scarf?
I saw younger people wearing carrés wrapped around baseball caps, which I found fun and surprising! To be honest, it’s a trend that I never saw coming. It proves how versatile the carré is. It shows how the carré never ceases to surprise me!
The Hermès Kite Festival brings a fresh perspective to the Silk Collection by transforming Hermès scarves into kites. What inspired this innovative reinterpretation of such a classic object?
It is an event inspired by the playfulness of the carrés. They are lighthearted objects—like the kites! I think silk can make people dream, and for this event people must look up to the sky, take the time to be amazed. This is very inspiring.
What’s the best way to look after your Hermes carré?
Wear it!
Flying High
Following its first edition held in Indonesia in 2022, this year the Hermès Kite Festival flies its way to Kuala Lumpur, where designs from the Hermès Silk Collection will be interpreted into technical fabrics, then transformed into vibrant kites that will soar across the KL skyline.
Apart from showcasing dynamic aerial demos by professional kite flyers, the event will also host kite-making and kite-flying workshops for guests that celebrate the majesty and beauty of Hermès iconic carrés.
The Hermès Kite Festival will take place at Sentul Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur from May 17th-18th, 2025. Open to the public (free entry), from 10AM to 8PM. Guests must register via the QR code below to reserve their time slots.
Register your slot for the Hermès Kite Festival KL via the QR code.
