Hermes Makes An Announcement!

April 1, 2004, Europe

 

Hermes the French fashion purveyor known for it�s overpriced scarves

and handbags has upped it�s share in Leica, the iconic, but aging

German camera company. It was announced today by Jean-Louis Dumas,

president of the Parisian company.

 

Going forward, "it�s all about color and accessories", said

Dumas. "Now, with each camera we will make available blouses, hats

and perfumes. And everyone should think Mauve. Our research shows

if the photographer is well dressed and gives off an attractive

scent their pictures will be of a higher caliber. And that is more

in keeping with the tone we want to set for our company".

 

"We're not resting on our finest imported silk laurels. We have a

plan for the future�, Dumas continued. "We�re leaping past digital

to virtual...no camera at all. In the French tradition of Breton

and surrealism the camera will exist only in the mind of the user."

When asked by a reporter what that meant, Dumas said, "mon dieu!

Vous avez de la ciboulette sur votre dent". Which loosely translated

means, My God. You have a chive in your tooth.

 

Dumas went on to say, "From the surreal Leica angle, this equates to

a business plan that must not make sense. And because we�re all

about style, we�re going to add a touch of Impressionism. When the

reporter noted that Impressionism is known for out of focus

pictures, Dumas said, "but of course". He then put down his

monogrammed brown leather bag containing a celebratory bottle of

Champagne and announced a price increase.

 

Before marching out of his office, a Leica executive speaking off

the record said, there hasn�t been this much cooperation between

Germany and France since 1940.

 

:>)

Thanks Jake, that's exciting news. Do you think I should go for the new digi M

when it comes or hold out for the virtual one? Will it be available in

hamertone? God I'm so excited I have so many questions! Will I need a virtual

screwmount adapter for the 354 pre-war lenses that I keep in a dehumidified

nuclear bunker? Damn it I'll have 20, all in White Rhino skin.

It is sort of comical that Hermes is an owner of Leica, but it would be worse if Leica were bought by Sigma or someone like that: we'd have the Ford-buying-Jaguar situation, where the brand is basically killed and the new owner milks the nameplate for their existing products.

Jake----

 

What is the date today ?

 

:>)))

I would really like to see an Hermes scarf with Leica cameras on it. I mean it seriously. My wife loves these scarves. I might as well get some jollies out of them too. If they printed pictures of the whole range of Leicas from Barnack's primordial ectoplasmic Ur-Leica to the M7 all over the scarf, it'd be a blast.

This is much welcome news because when I go out photographing, I'm always self-

conscious of the fact my camera doesn't match my Hermes ascot.

I understand that Hermes has a new camera in the offing. A digital brooch, platinum not titanium that will be available with matching earings that double as hearing aids. ;>)

Beau- I'm not a Jag connoisseur, but Jag seems to have brought some sport

back (-R performance), the sport drop-top was being developed, the retro

styling is awesome, the space age construction of the XJ-8 is nice, and overall

reliability is improved. Sure there is the X-Type, but Ford is hardly milking the

name. Porsche I think has a similar revamping of their products, and I don't

believe they've been bought out. Look at Jaguar of the 80s, then look at it

today, and the potential direction Ford may take it (including true sports

offerings).

Does that mean instead of leather covering on the the leica bodies, i can get a nice flower print?

Hermes is also coming out with a line of Leica branded lingerie. This will be sold exclusively in their new mall based boutiques, to be called Claudia's Secret.

Al,

 

You're almost right. Actually, it's Claud's secret.

I�d still like to know just how much of Leica Hermes bought. I first heard it was about 30% two or three years ago. How much have they increased their stake � anyone know if they bought the whole nine yards?

Madame Claude to be precise. Actually Hermes is also famous for the quality and originality of its watches. After all Leica is not in such bad hands :-)

Hey, I went out with a girl once who had Hermes. When I found out, I got rid of her in a hurry, let me tell ya.