Hermes unveils The Silky Way, an immersive journey through art, storytelling, and its scarf heritage

For art lovers and style connoisseurs alike, The Silky Way by Hermes promises to be one of the year’s most captivating cultural experiences. Open to the public from Oct 23 to Nov 5 at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, this multi-sensory installation reimagines Hermes’ iconic silk scarf as both a work of art and a story waiting to unfold beneath the stars.

Stepping into The Silky Way feels like an escapade into a dream world, which showcases how the Hermes square silk square, also known as carre, has served as a canvas for inventive artists since 1937. Distinctive for the richness of their designs, their colours, and their infinite variations in shade, Hermes silk scarves offer unlimited self-expression and fashion possibilities.

Their sheer sense of joy and playfulness hits you as you begin the journey through two arcing galleries that converge into a central lounge. Expect whimsical depictions and a menagerie of creatures, including the iconic Hermes horse motif, which is deeply rooted in the brand’s history as a saddle and harness maker.

Nestled in the corners are booths that offer storytelling via headphones, scarf try-ons, and more. And if you can’t get enough, head for the Carre Stories walls lined with cards, each bearing a poetic tale that you can match to a scarf on display.

A major highlight is an intimate theatre presentation, which combines a short film and live hosting by the charming Hermes himself. It tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers, with their fantastical journey illuminated across a breathtaking projection of constellations and animations on a domed ceiling. Lie back on lounge chairs and take in the magic.

Heritage woven in silk

Since launching its first silk scarf in 1937, Hermes has turned the humble square into a timeless icon of wearable art. Each carre begins in the maison’s Lyon-based silk workshops, where expert artisans oversee every stage — from the meticulous hand-drawing of designs to the printing of colours, sometimes in up to 40 shades per scarf. Coupled with the brand’s commitment to artistic collaboration, offering creators design carte blanche, this expertise has made Hermes scarves treasured heirlooms around the world.

Directed by Cecile Pesce, Hermes’ creative director of women’s silk, and Christophe Goineau, the luxury brand’s creative director of men’s silk, the current collections continue to expand on this beautiful legacy. Each square, with its interplay of colour, wit, and imagination, reflects the maison’s spirit of freedom and innovation.

Fantasy world

Beyond its visual beauty, The Silky Way embodies the very essence of Hermes — a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and savoir faire. Founded in 1837 as a harness workshop in Paris, Hermes has evolved into one of the world’s most respected luxury maisons, renowned for its handmade leather goods, fine objects, and silks. Today, it remains a family-owned company dedicated to preserving traditional skills across 16 crafts, while nurturing a dialogue between tradition and modernity.

By bringing this show to Singapore, Hermes presents this philosophy to a wider audience through sight, sound, touch, and imagination. While the celebrated designs you should look out for include Bottes Story, Pony Pit Stop, Carre Libre, Le Philateliste du Faubourg, and Please Hold the Line, my personal favourite is the Cheval Tete en Bas, which hilariously portrays a horse in a downward-dog yoga pose.

Admission to The Silky Way is free, and registration is currently open on the official Hermes website. Running daily from 12 noon to 8.30pm, the exhibition welcomes guests aged seven and above.