Hermes scarf

HERMÈS; 100% silk scarf 'Qu'Importe le Flacon pourvu Qu'on ait L'Ivresse (translates to; How important is the bottle as long as we have the intoxication?'), designed by Catherine Baschet, Originally printed in 1988 and reptinted from the original, label to corner, 90 x 90 cm, in original box,

This beautiful gem was created by Catherine Baschet, who has designed eight gorgeous and memorable carres for the Maison Hermès. It was first issued in 1988.

'Qu'Import Le Flacon' is one of Hermes' most popular designs. A symmetrical image of perfume bottles, it came in a vast array of colorways, this being one of the most elegant and striking.

The quote, "Qu'Importe le flacon // Pourvu qu' on ait L'ivresse" features at the top and the bottom of the scarf. It comes from a poem called "La Coupe et les Levres" (or “Glass and Lips”) by 19th Century French poet, Alfred de Musset (b.1810-d.1857). The poem was about his lover, French female writer and early feminist, Armandine Aurore Lucille Dupin (b. 1804-d.1876) who wrote under the nom de plume of George Sand.

Quite literally, it means “Never mind the bottle, let’s just drink it“. However, the true meaning is more profound: 'No matter where the euphoria comes from, it’s still euphoria'.

Whilst referring to both Armandine and drinking absinthe and wine, the artist cleverly substituted perfume flacons full of heady, intoxicating aromas, in lieu of bottles of intoxicating wines and absinthes.

The design was described in the Hermès 1988/1989 Autumn/Winter Catalogue as follows:

"Perfume bottles from around the world adorn 'Flacons.' The flacons of history lie side by side with the flacons of Hermès: the long, elegant bottle of Calèche, Hermès' first perfume for women; the pure lines of the 'Amazon H' bottle; the curves of the horse-bit inspired 'Parfum d'Hermès.'

"Our artist added whimsical touches to the exquisite detail of the scarf--look at the perfume spilling from unstoppered flacons!"

So popular was this design, that Hermès reissued it in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004; and 2009 as 70cm.

A popular and now rare Hermès design to own, to wear, show or collect.

Condition: Very good condition