The Stirrup Collection is a one-of-a-kind painting created directly on an authentic Hermès silk scarf. Inspired by the French fashion house’s equestrian roots, this piece honors Hermès’ origin as a harness maker in 1837. The scarf’s design, Concours d’Étriers (“Stirrup Competition”), was released in 2012 and was inspired by the brand founder’s personal collection of stirrups from around the world, including an 18th-century Chinese bronze stirrup and a 19th-century Brazilian stirrup with botanical cutwork.
I bring this globally inspired composition to life with acrylic paint, using a carefully built wood support custom-measured to preserve the shape and texture of the silk, a nod to Hermès’ continued presence in the equestrian world as the title sponsor of Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival. This was the first time I painted on silk, making it a true one-of-one in both concept and execution.
