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The scarf, much more than a fashion accessory

A piece of fabric that we put around our neck or bust to protect ourselves from the cold or the sun, the scarf has lived a thousand lives before becoming an essential accessory of women's fashion. Like the famous Hermès scarf, it can be made of silk but the materials, shapes, prints and colors are multiple according to the cultures and the trends.

A 1st function purely utilitarian

 
Like jewelry, the scarf is now added to an outfit to give it a special touch. Historically, it was more prosaically a response to a need for protection against bad weather, a quest for hygiene (in Rome its role was mainly to help keep clean) or, for the wealthiest people, a desire to display their wealth.

Its etymology comes from the Provençal word "foulat" meaning "light fabric" which, from the 18th century, designates a piece of cotton or silk fabric used to make scarves.

Initially used in the generic sense of the word "fabric", the "foulat" progressively qualifies a piece (and no longer a roll) cut into finer parts.

It is at the court of François I that it appears as a fashion accessory even if we speak then rather of fichus, stoles or shawls. After being popular with both men and women, it became the prerogative of women who wear it mainly on their shoulders, head or around their neck. With the development of Lyon as the world capital of silk, the piece of fabric which was since the appearance of weaving rather cotton, adopts the noble material and will thus become, gradually, an object of luxury.

Timeless for over 80 years

A square silk scarf, the creation of Robert Dumas, director of Hermès in 1937, has become emblematic of the French luxury house throughout the world. Timeless, the Hermès square is composed of 300 small silk squares corresponding to the number of eggs a silkworm lays in a lifetime (about 400 km of the precious material!).

The first motif on this very chic accessory was inspired by a kind of Goose game popular in the 1930s and, for a long time, the equestrian and hunting worlds were highlighted. Gradually, the themes changed: animals, arts, Napoleonic epic, cars and sports. In 1984, an edition was created for the Summer Olympics.

Today, Hermès regularly invites artists from all over the world to submit illustrations and every major star must have posed at least once with the luxurious scarf.

Jacqueline Onassis, Brigitte Bardot, Madonna, Romy Schneider or even Elizabeth II are among the personalities who contributed to its international aura. Worn traditionally or more creatively (tied around the head in pirate mode, as a belt or as a bag handle or even around the ankle), the Hermès scarf is constantly being renewed with, in recent years, a strong attraction of fashionistas for scarves with ethnic patterns.

Want to treat yourself or give this legendary French fashion accessory as a gift? Find the model you like on this website.
 
Valerie from Comme des Français
  
 
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