Hermes Offrande D'un Jour Scarf

Date: August 3, 2008
Item: Scarf
From: Hermes
Price: $400 plus tax (based on 1:1 exchange rate)

You know the value of the American dollar is declining when the US vs Canadian currency exchange is 1:1 but a purchase from Canada costs $50 more than it's counterpart on this side of the border. This Hermes Offrande D'un Jour Scarf would originally would retail $355.00 plus tax here in the US, but in Vancouver it went for $400 with no sales tax break. By the way, the border guard was amused I didn't get that memo about the elimination of the duty free sales tax for US citizens. Anyway, I loved the colors and details on this scarf. So, although I gulped at the price upon reaching the register, I still handed over my wad of Canadian bills. Besides, using another country's currency is so much like playing with Monopoly money anyway.

Every year Hermes produces scarves based on a central theme, and this year the theme was India. The Offrande D'un Jour scarf is based on the floral decorations made by the women of Kerala in southern India. The whites, grays, pastel blues and small amounts of beiges occurring in the design of this scarf makes it one of the most versatile amoung all the Hermes scarves that I collect. It is also notable as being one of the few scarves from Hermes that has no border in its design.

Here are a few other versions, but I found I didn't really care for any colorway other than the white and gray version.