Style Edit: Hermès’ Into the Horsescape collection is an ode to its equestrian roots

For Hermès, the horse has always been more than an emblem. It has been at the heart of the Parisian maison. Long before it became synonymous with leather bags and silk scarves, Hermès was crafting harnesses and saddlery for Europe’s finest riders. That equestrian heritage continues to shape everything the house creates, including its latest high jewellery collection, Into the Horsescape.

The ninth Haute Bijouterie collection, designed by Pierre Hardy, doesn’t celebrate the horse in an obvious way. Instead, the collection captures the spirit of the animal through the objects that surround it – horse bits, stirrups, harnesses, saddles, nails and ropes – reimagining these everyday elements as refined works of jewellery.

It’s a subtle approach, and one that feels unmistakably Hermès. Rather than focusing on decoration, Hardy strips each design back to its essence, allowing simple lines and graceful curves to tell the story. The result is a collection that feels modern yet deeply connected to the house’s history.

Movement is a recurring theme. Necklaces drape effortlessly around the body, bracelets wrap naturally around the wrist, and even the most elaborate pieces feel remarkably fluid. Hidden clasps and intricate articulations allow the jewellery to move with the wearer, blurring the line between sculpture and adornment.

The gemstones play an equally important role. Alongside brilliant white diamonds are black jade, smoky quartz, brown tourmalines, moonstones, tiger’s eye and opals, creating a palette inspired by the colours of leather, polished saddlery and the horse itself. Rich emeralds bring bursts of vibrant green, while rare diamonds and sapphires punctuate with brilliance.

Several creations stand out for the way they reinterpret familiar equestrian forms. Étreintes transforms the elegant curve of the horse bit into sweeping necklaces and earrings set with striking emeralds. Lasso Disco captures the twisting motion of a rope through ribbons of baguette-cut diamonds, while the Clou de Forge Lumière bracelet turns the humble blacksmith’s nail into dazzling jewellery.