Hermès is highlighting grooms. Not those getting ready for weddings, but those who tend to horses.
This focus makes sense given the circumstances.
The equestrian tradition of the upscale French label
, which began operations in 1837 as a manufacturer of saddles and horse accessories.
Hermès
Embracing this heritage through an intricate exhibition at Pier 36 in lower Manhattan titled ‘Mystery at the Grooms,’ the organization invites everyone to explore a dwelling where grooms reside alongside their equine companions. However, there’s a twist: the horses have vanished without a trace. It falls upon the audience to uncover these concealed animals scattered throughout the exhibit’s components.
As the participants scour each room for concealed horses, they receive guidance from the resonant tones of Equestrian Detective Mr. Honore — whose surname intriguingly matches that of the original Hermès shop location in Paris. Fortunate explorers might stumble upon Ringlet peering out from among carrots within the hay piles stored in the kitchen, or discover Clip-Clop nestled beneath a Rocabar blanket inside the sleeping quarters.
This setup includes six chambers, with participants having only seven minutes per chamber to discover as many concealed steeds as possible. Each chamber contains five of these creatures, and clues in the form of horse shoes guide the explorers from one area to the subsequent one.
However, it’s not simple, despite the head groom, a woman named Maeleine Galop, and other grooms being present to provide guidance.
Warning: In this scenario, one horse is concealed inside a safe accessible only via the correct code; another lies beneath a silver platter. Additionally, there’s one positioned behind a wooden panel which requires activating an appropriate switch to reveal it. One more can solely be seen through a peephole located behind a wall-mounted panel. Lastly, among countless white button-down shirts moving along a laundry conveyor belt, you’ll find a single yellow sweatshirt featuring the hidden horse pattern.
The setup will remain from Thursday until June 29 and is available at no cost for attendees who need to sign up to secure their places. According to the firm, around 25,000 individuals have registered so far. Promotion of the game includes advertisements in the New York Times and the New Yorker, along with numerous posters covering the walls of the closest subway station near East Broadway.
“Just do it for fun and to share happiness,” he/she stated.
Diane Mahady, U.S. president
She was fully engaged with the game, opting for the digital edition of the puzzle and tapping on the horse icons using her mobile device as she uncovered them. “This isn’t meant for purchase; it’s simply a complimentary experience aimed at showcasing the brand’s fun side. Our objective is to provide everyone with an amusing break from reality, allowing them to enjoy themselves for about an hour.”
People who succeed in locating all the horses receive a reward when they leave: a notebook along with a coloring book.
Even though the use of carrots as utensils in the “refectory,” essentially the dining area, or as makeshift candles in the dormitory adds an element of fun and creativity, this experience aims to emphasize the company’s 16 distinct métiers, or product lines. These encompass a wide range of items such as menswear and womenswear clothing, scarves, footwear, audio equipment like headphones, sports gear including surfboards, tableware, and leather products. Each category is prominently displayed within the exhibit space.
Mahady indicated she believes followers of the brand will be pleased.
To particularly adore the installation since numerous items within are quite scarce and “they’ll appreciate having the chance to view them closely and personally.”
The installation first appeared in Shanghai towards the end of last year and is scheduled to travel next to Tokyo, Singapore, and finally Paris.
Pierre-Alexis Dumas, who serves as the artistic director at Hermès, encapsulated the essence of The Mystery of the Grooms with these thoughts: “To play is to be united. It involves motion, liberty, creativity, whimsy, and lightheartedness—and the horse stands as our initial partner in the realm of creative expression.”
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