"The city is made from many parts."
Nigel Peake, In the City
The Limited Edition 'On a Summer Day' of the Constance bag springs from a collaboration with the Irish artist and architect Nigel Peake in 2017. His drawing is printed onto supple Swift leather of the Hermès Constance 24 in soft pinks, warm yellow, orange, black, red, blues and white. Hermès took advantage of the advancement in technology that allows printing on leather to be more durable and brought Peake's work to life.
Nigel Peake's wonderful design that was incorporated, among other things, in this Limited Edition was inspired by a drawing from his book ‘In the City: Drawings by Nigel Peake’.
'In the City' explores the visual details of a variety of urban metropolises, including Shanghai, New York, Antwerp, London, Paris, Oslo, Lausanne, Budapest, Istanbul, and San Francisco. These drawings and paintings document the sights, sounds, shapes, and textures he absorbs as he wanders the streets without a map or sits in a café while waiting for a train.
However, the design did not start on a bag. The first time, that this pattern was used, was on a scarf. The design of this scarf was inspired by the light breeze of a summer day that makes everything move imperceptibly, Peake invites us to a stroll through avenues, boulevards and parks, adding a stippling effect to mimic the rhythmic rustling of trees. If you look closely, you will spot the buildings and trees.
In contrast to the bright colors of the Constance On a Summer Day, Hermès also created On a Summer Night. This bag has a subtle, geometric, black design exquisitely printed onto Black Sombrero leather with a divine Black enamel buckle and palladium hardware.
The Constance 'On a Summer Day' was only made in size 24, while 'On a Summer night' is a Constance Mini.
Inspiration comes from various sources and Hermès is a master in inventing new ways to turn their bags into special and highly coveted pieces of art.