There’s one thing so romantic, so very French, about fixing a low stakes thriller. From Hercule Poirot to Inspector Clouseau, there’s a protracted historical past of stylish detectives, one through which Hermès is now collaborating.
“Mystery at the Grooms’,” positioned at Pier 36 in Manhattan, brings guests into the world’s most luxurious escape room. The premise: Grooms—the horse caretakers—allow us to into their residence, however catastrophe strikes shortly thereafter. All of the horses have gone lacking. Quelle horreur! It’s as much as the “Hermès detectives” to resolve the thriller by looking out every of the set up’s six rooms.
The Pantry, one of many rooms within the set up, with leather-based items scattered across the house.
Every of the rooms in “Thriller on the Grooms’” is theatrical and immersive—and options distinctive Hermès items. There’s a pantry, the place Birkins and Kellys relaxation amongst carrots and corn on bales of hay. Within the refectory, huge transferring shows of meals revolve round Hermès china, a few of which is stacked excessive in an Alice in Wonderland-like vogue. The “dormitory” options the model’s striped bedding, which can be transposed onto the partitions and flooring. Hermès saddles and using boots dot the partitions, poised on the prepared. And the set up goes on, sprawling and showcasing the model’s 16 métiers: leather-based, silk, able to put on, and extra.
“The Dormitory,” the place horses could peek out beneath the model’s Rocabar blankets.
“Taking part in means being collectively. Play is motion, freedom, creativeness, fantasy, lightness…” says Pierre-Alexis Dumas, creative director of Hermès, in an announcement, “and the horse is our first companion within the playground of creation.”
Horses are hidden all through the set up in curious locations—some require passcodes, others simply want eager eyesight, and (spoiler alert) one asks “detectives” to place simply the correct variety of carrots in a motorized pot. Guests observe the horses they discover via a cellular internet portal and those who spot each member of the lacking herd take house a prize. Every session lasts 60 minutes.
“The Laundry,” the place video games can reveal clues to different horses’ areas.
It’s luxurious with a humorousness as actors stationed all through the set up information guests via video games and puzzles—all in character, after all. And it’s accessible, open to the general public without cost from June 19 via 29 and geared in the direction of a large swath of ages (7 and up) and all ranges of familiarity with the model. A touch for these attending: Merely observe the hoof prints.
Thriller on the Grooms’ is on view from June 19 via 29 and positioned at Pier 36, 299 South Avenue, New York Metropolis. To ensure a spot, make a reservation at hermes.com/mystery.
Hermès saddles seem in lots of the set up’s rooms, together with the “Head Groom’s Workplace,” pictured right here.
Annie Goldsmith is the senior editor and digital lead at ELLE Decor, the place she covers design, tradition, type, and traits. She beforehand held positions at The Data, protecting know-how and tradition, and City & Nation, writing about information, leisure, and vogue. Her work has additionally appeared in Vogue, Rolling Stone, and the SF Commonplace.
