Hermès Brings a New Standard of Luxury to Nashville
A spotlit collection of crocodile skin handbags, leather wallets, diamond necklaces, luxurious beauty products, and monogrammed baby blankets now adorn a new Nashville storefront.
The masthead of one of the most widely respected designer brands in the world, Hermès, now stands behind the restored historic brick façade of the May Hosiery Mills complex, in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood of Nashville.
The Nashville Hermès store, which officially opened Oct. 18, marks a new chapter in the city's evolution as a top-tier retail hotspot and destination of global cultural importance.
A brand like Hermès, which is most widely known for its exclusive "Kelly" and "Birkin" designer handbags, doesn't just open a storefront anywhere," said Hermès Americas President and CEO Diane Mahady. "Our store process is a journey," Mahady said.
"There's a vibrancy and an energy here that's palpable," Mahady told The Tennessean. "And you really feel it. There's a certain momentum, there's a warmth, a genuine friendliness."
Hermès, as a rule, is picky when it comes to expanding its retail presence. Not only are cities closely vetted and market-tested for new stores, but choosing the right neighborhood is a key part of the process.
The new boutique is sandwiched between New York-based French bistro Pastis and the Nashville location of private social club Soho House, which opened in 2022. Just across the street from the new store is a massive construction site owned by real estate firm AJ Capital, which is busy doubling down on development in the neighborhood.
AJ Capital managed to recruit Soho House and Pastis years ago. Mahady said the firm played a large role in making Nashville, and the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood, the right next move for Hermès. "The mall didn't feel right, but Nashville felt right," Mahady said. "We felt like this project was the right project."