Hermès Scarf 90 cm – Cycles, later renamed “Les Bécanes” – Hugo Grygkar (1953) – Original 1953 Edition

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A historic piece! If you thought you knew this design, look more closely. This is “Cycles”, created by the master Hugo Grygkar in 1953. It is the original edition, the “first draft” that inspired the famous “Les Bécanes” (The Bikes), released 20 years later.

This design is an absolute rarity, as it has never been reissued under this exact name and in this composition. It captures the carefree spirit of the 1950s with a fresh palette: a soft cream ground, set off by sunshine yellow and navy blue. Here we find the poetry of old bicycles and boaters, drawn with the fineness of line typical of the Maison's early editions. This design was worn by Romy Schneider with Alain Delon in 1959, and in 1956 by Grace Kelly (portrait by Howell Conant). An extremely rare colourway, in a superb state of preservation!

• Brand: Hermès
• Title: “Cycles”, later renamed “Les Bécanes”
• Artist: Hugo Grygkar
• Year of issue: 1953 (first and only edition).
• Palette: cream ground, yellow, navy blue, touches of red
• Condition: very good vintage condition for a piece more than 70 years old. The silk has kept its body and the hand-rolled hem is intact. In full transparency: this is a scarf that has lived. There is slight fading and a few small stains and marks of time (patina), inevitable on a light ground of this age. There are no holes.
• Size: 90 × 90 cm
• Composition: 100% silk twill
• Finish: hand-rolled hem
• Made in France
• Care label: no.
• Hermès box: no

A word from Diane
Holding a 1953 “Cycles” in your hands is moving. It means understanding the history of Hermès. Many confuse it with “Les Bécanes” (1974), but the seasoned collector knows that this one is the original. The yellow and blue contrast on the cream ground is exquisitely refined, very “banks of the Marne” and Impressionist. An investment piece par excellence. Also find in the boutique the 1974 version.