The iconic French house invites fashion lovers, both young and old, to appreciate their treasured creations in an all new light: an interactive mystery game set in the opulent Grooms’ House.
High fashion is often playful in its aesthetic sensibilities but less so in its application. Hermès is changing that, showing that fashion can be played with as much as it is playful. The French house transforms fine-dressing fun into an immersive mystery experience at New York City’s Pier 36. Between June 19 and 29, 2025, visitors of all ages are invited to don their H-embossed deerstalker caps and hone their Holmesian skills at Mystery at the Grooms’, “[…] showcasing the boundless creativity of the house’s sixteen métiers.”
It is a dynamic celebration of the artisanal trades that forged Hermès into the global fashion force it remains today, except now the public is motivated to put their talents to the test, “[using] their quick wits and ingenuity to find clues and solve a mystery as they plunge into a universe built around Hermès objects, all stitched together by a common inspirational thread that spans generations: the horse.”
Despite the house’s nearly two centuries of refined elegance, the Hermès team understands the need for engagement, inclusivity, and fun over formal stodginess. “Playing means being together,” says artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas. “Play is movement, freedom, imagination, fantasy, lightness…and the horse is our first companion in the playground of creation.” The iconic Hermès equine logo becomes a figurative hobby horse, and even the most serious fashion lovers are encouraged to summon their inner kid detective.
Traversing eras of Hermès’s treasured creations, visitors are treated to a visually informative overview, interacting tangibly with objects that serve as “[…] a reflection of the house’s imagination and the timelessness of its craftsmanship; present or past, these are objects designed to last, to be repaired and passed on.”
Every journey needs a map; as guests navigate a treasure trove of Hermès designs, they follow a series of clues: hoof prints stamped—actual and implied—on the house’s cherished items, lighting the way to the mystery’s conclusion. Grooms, donning regal blue coats and shining boots, have opened the doors to their home (via reservation). These dapper-dressed figures have long been a horse’s best friend, brand ambassador, and eternal atelier symbol.
The Groom’s House, where “Hermès’ equestrian heritage, the throughline that allows for constantly renewed inspiration, hits its full stride […],” sets the stage for this immersive experience, transporting visitors from Manhattan to a land of human & horse harmony. United by their equine motif, “[…] the sixteen Hermès métiers converge for the very first time, united by creative boldness, a shared artisan spirit and their exceptional savoir-faire.”
Hermès spares no expense in transporting us into the whimsy, conjuring a prim Wes Anderson-esque world. The six elaborate sets are splashed with color, ranging from deep, stately burgundy to crisp robin’s egg blue. Visitors wander through various captivating rooms, from a tack room hung with fine leather saddles to a dormitory outfitted in a bold Rocabar pattern and a bright blue laundry room with crisp white shirts all suspended in a row.
Like a high-fashion I-Spy, visitors sift through the pesky horses’ hiding places, guided by “the voice of renowned equestrian detective Mr. Honoré […],” who bears the namesake Parisian rue on which the first Hermès opened. Despite the distracting opulence of the space, there is still a task at hand: how many missing horses can you find before the time is up?
Mystery at the Grooms is open for visitors ages seven and up from June 19-29, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Pier 36 (299 South Street, New York, New York). Entry is free, but sessions should be booked prior to arrival at hermes.com/mystery.
Images courtesy of Hermès Image credits, Home page image by Liu Shuwei. Above imagery: The Grooms House, The Laundry, The Dormitory, The Refectory, and The Pantry. photos by Sui Sicong.
