To start showing (off?) my scarf collection I thought to begin with the smallest formats I own, the silk pocket squares or pochettes, also called gavroches in Hermès-speak.
I like these small scarves (45x45cm) for a pop of colour underneath a roll-neck sweater or as a silky touch next to my skin when wearing a big, warm wollen scarf in the cold to prevent a reaction to the wool.
Let’s take a closer look at the first one I’d like to show you today…
This was my first pochette and among my first Hermès pieces. It was a gift from my mother-in-law who chose extremely well. The colours are vivid but not overpowering (the size helps too, I can’t wear something big that is so colourful) and the design is among my favourite ones. It is called Mademoiselle Soie, created by Pierre Marie, and it depicts existing classical scarf designs from Hermès’s archives. A seamstress sits in the middle, surrounded by scarves and various sewing accoutrements.
This pochette was part of a four scarf story, the other three showing Madame Cuir (leather), Monsieur Montre (watches) and – of course my favourite – Monsieur Parfum. Sadly these are impossible to find. If I ever come across the perfume pochette I shall snap it up right away.
Here you see it tied.
To add a personal story, (even perfume-related, yeah!), I wore this scarf when I met Roja Dove in his Haute Parfumerie in London. I was really nervous before meeting him and actually considered bolting and going for a drink instead, but then he came and right away commented on my scarf and – since he was wearing an Hermès scarf himself – we bonded over our love for silk. I relaxed and really enjoyed my time with M. Dove.
So, this was the first one and, like before meeting Roja, I am nervous now too. But nonetheless, I enjoyed presenting this first scarf and I will make it a point to show you one per week, every Friday is now Hermès silk day!
What do you think?
Olfactoria's Travels 
Oh, such a wonderful little scarf. It really is impressive to look at, so intricate and such a beautiful composition. Your mother-in-law has impeccable taste😊
She would love to hear that. 🙂
The details are great in this one, always something new to find despite the small size.
Wonderful scarf! You wear it so well. I look forward to seeing more. 🙂
It’s really a bad photo…
but a lovely scarf. 🙂
Great idea, having silk Fridays – beautiful gavroche! You might want to keep an eye on Vestiaire collective and the likes of it, as you never know what might turn up :-).
Thanks, I am keeping an eye out.
Silk with a story! Great. Lots of fabulous Fridays to come.
Your first pochette is a stunner and you wear colour so well (especially Hermes orange!), as that photo proves.
Are there places in Vienna where you can keep an eye out for the vintage scarves you’re seeking?
No, no vintage haunts here that would be really helpful, but the internet has many great places to find lovely vintage things, it inly tales patience.
Beautiful!! Love the scarf, it is just lovely on you, and am looking forward to your stories!
Thanks, Karen!
I don’t have any silk scarves. Perhaps this new feature will inspire me to change that.
I love that every scarf has a story to tell it seems. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest. They are quite lovely.
Thanks, there is indeed a story to go with most of them, which is lovely to think about every time I wear one.
Lovely post, Birgit. I want to see the a full picture (and story?) of that pale blue one with the Paris street sketches. And, if I may say so: There was no need to be nervous before meeting RD, as it’s quite clear that YOU know how to wear a scarf. He just murdered his.
The blue one is coming next week.
Dear Birgit, you always manage to guide my interests in new directions, other than fragrances. A few days ago, I bought the books from Marie Kondo (love them!), who knows, how long it might take, before I buy my first Hermes scarf! I am looking forward to seeing more scarves and hearing more beautiful stories.
Cheers
Safran
So glad you bought the book! I hope you enjoy it.
Sorry about putting temptation in your way. 😉
Beautiful, such lovely colors! Thanks for sharing your collection, Birgit. Looking forward to seeing more.
Thanks, dear ringthing!
I think Hermès should pay you, dear Birgit.
You look flawless, as usual.
Love,
Caro
They should indeed! 😉 (Unfortunately it is the other way round).
You would make a wonderful ambassador for the house.
I hope someone reads this 😉
I’m thrilled to know you’ll be posting about scarves. Yes, please! The best part for me is to see how you’re wearing your pochette. I recently inherited about a dozen gorgeous Liberty silk scarves purchased by my mom in the sixties when we lived in London. I’ve been at a loss to figure out what to do with them, so this is very timely for me. I’m not sure if I can pull off elegance, but this is inspiring me to go for it. 🙂
What a lovely inheritance! I’m sure you’ll find a way to wear your Liberty scarves.
YAY!! This is so interesting Birgit. How fun that you and Roja were both wearing your Hermes and what a sensible bonding point.
Jin is so jealous of your collection, I think one day he will start collecting them too.
Portia xx
Yes, Roja was cool. 🙂
Ah, dear Jin. A collection starts with one. 😉
Well he does have one B. The vintage one we bought at Drouot. It’s pretty special. You’ve seen me wear it.
Portia xx
At dinner at Nascha’s. I loved it!
Hermès silk day is the new TGIF! 😉
Haha, I love that! 🙂
I love silk, but am not good at wearing scarves. Basically I do not like too much fabric around my neck (even silk can annoy me at times!). Love the pale blue pattern in the first picture, so looking forward to getting a presentation of that one next week.
There are many ways to wear a scarf without having it close to the neck.
MaiTai has wonderful ideas including video tutorials, if you’d like to take a look.
Birgit, you in that scarf is so lovely! I think Roja Dove looks good in his, too.
So, yes please, I’m ready to scarf up more of these Friday posts. 😉
🙂
I would love to see Roja’s scarf collection (although I guess we are not on the same page when it comes to colours. 😉 )
This will be great fun, thank you! 🙂 The pattern on this gavroche is really cute and pretty.
Thank you, Eva! 🙂
Oh dear. I’m trying very hard not to be tempted by your scarves. They are quite lovely. I enjoyed all the detail in this one and the story that went with it. Each scarf is such a work of art that I’m sorely tempted by them. Alas, they are out of my budget right now. But I will enjoy them every Friday when you share yours with us. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this post, Kandice.
Often vintage scarves can be found at a good price at antiques stores or the like, that might be an option to find your own silky treasure.
I love the red tones in this scarf and the jaunty way you wear it! Elegant and uplifting – the decluttering lady would approve of you keeping this one – all of them, no doubt!
I recently discovered a mesmerising video showing 25 ways to tie a scarf – I swear I have watched this about 10 times but still can only remember a couple of the different ways. You can tell I was never in the boy scouts, engaging with woggles and whatnot. 😉
Oh sorry, didn’t mean it to take up all that space – just thought I was posting the link – feel free to delete!
That is fine, wordpress does that now. 😉
So that’s it! I was a Girl Guide (equivalent to the boy scouts for girls), so that is where my attachement to scarves and knots stems from! 🙂
Thanks for sharing that video.
🙂 Oh, yes, I remember this scarf – you mentioned it when I posted my Madame Cuir Pochette
http://wp.me/p2DJxD-1ek . I would prefer your colors on my scarf though! And yes, I will keep in mind that you are looking for the perfume gavroche!
HAPPY weekend! 🙂
Thank you! It would be great if you got lucky and found it! 🙂
🙂 will keep my eyes open for it… 😉
To continue with my thoughts, started at the 2nd part of Hermes-scarfs-adoration posts. If on this photo with Roja D. you had nothing, just black — you would have looked much more enigmatic than with this scarf. It betrays you fully — what are your values and sadly those values are nothing special beyond the usual values of petite bourgeoisie as french say… (even if it is not true for you personally, it is just the image that it gives). One just get bored.
Come on there are so many much more deeper creation on the earth than these scarfs that chinese touristes are queueing for in Paris…
PS: again, just critique of hermès scarfs per se, not you personally!
See my comment on the second scarf post.