By Michèle Gazier

While some artists are never forgotten thanks to their work that speaks louder than words, some writers use their words to enhance the beauty of the latters’ works and embody the charm of their pieces in books. This is the case of Leïla Menchari and Michèle Gazier.

Between 1978 and 2013, Leïla Menchari has proved herself to be a creative force to be reckoned with. She is the mind behind every window display at the Hermès store on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré during this period. Born into a family that has a deep affinity with everything modern, she discovered the breathtaking garden created by the American Jean Henson at Hammamet. This led her to study successively at the Beaux Arts School of fine arts in Tunis, then the Beaux Arts School of fine arts in Paris where she began her creative career before joining the decorator Annie Beaumel at Hermès in 1961. When Beaumel left in 1978, Menchari became responsible for window displays at the boutique.

With a preface by President of Hermès Axel Dumas, this book is richly illustrated as it features 137 window displays Designed by Leïla Menchari between 1978 and 2013 – making her journey at the renowned French house historical and unforgettable.