Taking luxury and all round flashiness to new levels, Leica once again teams up with french house Hermès, this time on the M9-P camera. Wrapped in ocre Veau Swift calfskin leather, two versions are available, M9-P “Edition Hermès” and the M9-P “Edition Hermès – Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas”. The first is a limited edition of 300 that comes with a beautiful silver-anodized Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens. The second,  just a run of 100, comes with three lenses, a Hermès camerabag and a portfolio of 200 black-and-white images captured by Jean-Louis Dumas with his Leica M camera. Our bros at Highsnobiety have more.

Another beautiful editorial from the Japan side of GQ. “A Sunny Afternoon” is a pleasantly happy affair that shows the looks under normal conditions. Nothing over done on here; just the models and the looks. How great is that haircut and stash?

Photography: Junji Hata

See more on the following page.

As mentioned yesterday, the Hermes “Leather Forever” exhibition is opens May 8 in London. What we did not mention was a show auction for four specially created bags for the exhibition; each representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Auction proceeds got to the Royal Academy of Art.

Hermes shares the hand made process in assembling the bags.

Trendland directs us to the forthcoming Hermes exhibition in London celebrating 175 years in the business of producing some of the world’s most iconic leather goods including saddles, which was at the heart of the luxury house’s offering centuries past. The exhibition is a historical look at Hermes and may be viewed at Royal Academy of Art, 6 Burlington Garden.

Some more looks on the following page.

It’s Sunday. I’m on my way home for a long overdue roast dinner. I can’t decide what to wear. My folks haven’t seen me since I moved to the city. In the time I’ve been away I’ve become fancy, elegant, a real snappy dresser. I own a Hermes belt. It’s my favourite. I hope it’s lamb, mum always overcooks pork and with lamb you get the option of mint jelly or mint sauce. Hope dad doesn’t ask too many questions about what I’ve been up. Hopefully my outfits will reassure him that I’m moving up in the world. Look at my belt. I’m going places.

Muse Magazine. Photography – Bruno Staub, Stylist – Charles Varenne (SM)

More from G-town, Switzerland: Hermes delivered their new Dressage watch this week at Baselworld. Originally designed by Henri d’Origny, the latest take on the Hermes Dressage has similar dimensions as the former but with a larger opening around the dial, available in black or opaline silver. The new Dressage watch is available in two versions in pink gold and either in steel. (tz)

A special edition of 175 pink gold with black dial and alligator strap will be available to celebrate the 175 year history of Hermes.

More looks in our gallery…

A few new styles from Hermès, luggage for Spring/Summer 2012. These are at the luxury end of luxury, it would be crude to mention prices but you could probably swap the suitcase for a mid-sized car. Wheeled leather and herringbone cases and two styles of lockable travel bag, surprisingly heavy duty and undeniably smart – if you’re going to do it in style you can’t go wrong with Hermès.

Click for images.

“Play time with Hermès.Give your own meaning to taking your time… Are you a hare or a tortoise? Live life at your own pace.Timely surprises on Hermes.com“

A bit of old news (this collaboration came out back in 2010) but… Out of the all the headphones to be housed inside of the beautiful Swift leather case from Hermes, why does it have to be the Bose Noise Cancelling headphones? No disrespect to the very popular travel headphones from the Massachusetts maker, but Hermes aligning themselves with Bose does not seem like a proper fit for me. Hermes speaks luxury. Bose does not.*

Rather than discuss more proper headphone manufacturers to align with Hermes, I’ll focus on the wonderful work the leather maker did on the bag: each leather case is hand saddle-stitched with protective pads to keep the headphones in place. Special cut-outs are ther for all the accessories as well. Finally, the finish off the interior with goatskin lining. Beautiful work from Hermes. (wallpaper*)

*consider the Audio Technica Active Noise-Cancelling headphone at half the cost of the Bose if you really need noise cancelling options.

We return to the Hermès Arceau collection. Two additional models, these feature the rare technique  of straw ‘Marquetry’, the application of strips of veneer to form patterns. It’s an ancient art so don’t go trying it at home. French rye Straw is taken through a series of processes with incredible precision by folk who’ve been practising for years. The result are these patterns, representing two classic Hermès tie designs.

A lot of work has gone into these so if you grab yourself one don’t forget to give a shout out to the artisans that nearly lost a finger to create your fine timepiece. More at Perpetuelle