jake_tauber Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. :>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seb v. Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beau 1664876222 Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob l Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Jake---- What is the date today ? :>))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_Lai Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadji_singh Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark-j Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. ;>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tennyson1 Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Does that mean instead of leather covering on the the leica bodies, i can get a nice flower print? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake_tauber Posted April 1, 2004 Author Share Posted April 1, 2004 Al, You're almost right. Actually, it's Claud's secret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan flanders Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierre_claquin1 Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 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 :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_s Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now