After an 18-month renovation, Hermès is reopening its Beverly Hills boutique (434 N. Rodeo Drive) on 4th of September. To celebrate the reopening, the brand is rolling out its first-ever basketball for a whopping $12,900. It’s totally over-the-top — the average Spalding one used by NBA players costs only $169.95 — but the luxury purveyor is hoping a few of its die-hard fans will play ball. Only two have been produced at the special-orders atelier in Paris under the creative direction of Pierre-Alexis Dumas .
Only two of the bright blue calfskin balls have been created at a price only Kobe or LeBron could love — but, insists Robert Chavez, the high-fashion brand’s U.S. CEO, “It can certainly be used for play and these balls have been produced at the special-orders atelier in Paris under Pierre-Alexis Dumas. creative direction.
The fashion brand, which has turned out footballs and soccer balls in the past, eschewed its signature orange in favor of a California-chic, cool blue for the bull calfskin ball that’s made using the same hand-stitched technique as Hermes’ coveted Birkin bags.
“It represents the sky, the ocean and all the beautiful pools that are a way of life in L.A. and Southern California,” says Robert Chavez, Hermes U.S. CEO, who says that the exceptional quality of the leather as well as the artisanal craftsmanship account for the ball’s price.
