Photographer Koto Bolofo is given access to all areas of the luxury brand Hermès and this box set of books gives readers an all-access glimpse into the real world of the quality, precision and passion that produces true luxury pieces. It was designed by Koto Bolofo and Gerhard Steidl with text by Ménéhould du Chatelle.
One of the most intriguing photographers of his generation, South African Koto Bolofo cannot be classified. He is many things, with a plethora of skills. The erstwhile political refugee (who was raised in Britain), Bolofo’s CV includes well-regarded fashion spreads in elite high-fashion magazines as well as his own acclaimed publications; Racing Style, about early British motor racing, and Venus, an intimate collection of portraits of tennis star Venus Williams.
This is Koto Bolofo’s latest publication, La Maison, (actually, it’s a mini-library of 11 volumes and 1,200 pages) for which he was granted an unprecedented all-access pass to the notoriously private luxury house Hermès.
For four years, innovative fashion photographer Koto Bolofo had behind-the-scenes access to the Hermès luxury empire. Bolofo, well known for his portraits and fashion shoots, came to Monde d’Hermes in 2004, when he met Hermès head, Jean-Louis Dumas, one of 17 cousins who constitute the fifth generation heading the company.
Bolofo explains: “Mr. Dumas asked where I came from. I said South Africa. He asked what part. I said Lesotho. He was shocked and very excited. He explained that his great, great, great grandfather was a missionary in Lesotho and that the Zulus used to attack his mission, but the Sothos—my tribe—protected him… He called me his cousin and said that his cousin was welcome any time and I had carte blanche to photograph what I liked in Hermès.”
La Maison contains exclusive images made as Bolofo worked his way through Hermès’ workshops, discovering how their wares are made, from handbags, perfumes, scarves, ready-to-wear and shoes to the first accessory ever produced by the house: saddles. Nothing escaped his lens, not even the museum, a treasure trove of Hermès history, tucked away on Rue du Faubourg St. Honore in Paris. Koto Bolofo was born in South Africa in 1959, but was raised in Great Britain after his family was forced to flee as political refugees. After a nearly 25-year absence, father and son returned to South Africa, which Koto documented in his short film The Land is White, The Seed is Black.
Along with his short films, Bolofo has worked for many of the most prestigious publications. His advertising clients include Hermès, Banana Republic, Façonnable, Burberry, Levi’s, Alberta Ferretti, Dom Pérignon and Keratese. Bolofo is currently based in Paris.
Hardcover: 1,200 pages
Publisher: Steidl (July 20, 2011)
Language: English