Invited by Hermès to create an installation at its flagship store in Barcelona, Sagarminaga Atelier developed “Tracing the Sea,” a sensory journey that transforms the boutique into an aquatic narrative, where vibrant textures, natural fibers, and intense colors interact with the Mediterranean. Our artistic vision brings to life an underwater universe where nature takes on the role of creator: Posidonia oceanica, the great architect of the sea, unfolds as a metaphor for conscious and transformative craftsmanship, infusing the Hermès collection with movement and vitality.

The journey begins in the store windows, where marine creatures sculpted from esparto grass and metal intertwine with the iconic leathers and silks of the French fashion house. Nestled among layers of hand-woven Posidonia, they invite visitors to immerse themselves in our interpretation of the underwater realm.

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“We seek to create a connection between the sea and the mountains: a Mediterranean metamorphosis that connects with the profound, the implicit, and the mysterious, revealing a transformative elegance in the Hermès flagship store.”

The allure of the storefront displays captivates the viewer, drawing them into a narrative of secret transformation. The squid symbolizes fluidity and change; the swordfish, a warrior traversing the Mediterranean expanse. Inside, the seabed is revealed through starfish, schools of fish, and moray eels that guide the way to the garden. There, vibrant corals inspired by the color palette of the rugs guard the exit, while flying fish with silk wings patterned with celestial maps accompany visitors on their way.

Upon emerging, the objects carried by the current take on a new scale and meaning: starfish and corals reemerge as otherworldly creatures. The entire spatial narrative unfolds in a choreography of metamorphosis, an underwater journey where every detail reveals a hidden treasure. Suspended between the sea and the mountains, the visible and the invisible, Hermès’s objects emerge perfectly integrated into our marine landscape, merging fine craftsmanship and nature into an immersive experience that celebrates creativity and wonder.