Dressed in a summery white dress, Lucy, barely 21 years old and already a champion rider, talked about her relationship with Hermès, which went deep this evening. “They painted our stables red!” she remarked about the nearby building that served as a party venue. As with every Hermès production, no detail was spared: handsome waiters poured out glasses of champagne and rosé; a raw bar was neatly arranged with lobster claws and ceviche; and an AirStream was filled with sliders and lobster rolls. The stables were freshly splashed with a rouge the same shade as the leather used for the Selle Faubourg saddle, which was displayed on a platform in the center of the party. Even the photo opp is built to resemble jumping hurdles in the shape of the letter H.
From the horse world, Alexa Pessoa, Jessica Springsteen, Joey Wölffer and Hannah Selleck were all present. (Selleck remarked how much she loved her own Hermès saddle: “I don’t want to ride it in the rain!”). But there was also a very heavy fashion contingent at the party: designers Joseph Altuzarra, Reed Krakoff, Rebecca Minkoff, Tanya Taylor, Marina Larroudé, Jennifer Fisher and Aerin Lauder were all present alongside Brooke Shields, Katie Couric, Nicky Rothschild, among others.
During the event, both beginners and experienced riders could marvel at the technique of the new saddles; A craftsman was present who put the finishing touches to a Selle Faubourg. Developed over many years, the Selle Faubourg saddle combines craftsmanship, innovation and heritage with that Hermès je ne sais quoi. Each saddle is custom made to fit the horse and rider. The saddle is adjusted via measurements in a digital scan (called the Equiscan) and is made to give the horse the greatest comfort. The tree (the internal skeleton of the saddle) is made of beech wood (instead of polycarbonate), as the natural material flows seamlessly with the movement of the horse. All of these adjustments are made from research, almost literally straight from the horse’s mouth – based on feedback and consultation with some of the world’s best dressage and show jumping riders. Jérôme Guéry, champion rider and Hermès partner (one of 15) since 2016, informed this particular new design.
As the sun set, the revelers enjoyed the cool summer night air. At the time, the end of summer was palpable, but leaving it at a Hermès party helped soften the blow, especially as DJ Lina provided the musical backdrop.
