There’s something so romantic, so very French, about solving a low stakes mystery. From Hercule Poirot to Inspector Clouseau, there’s a long history of chic detectives, one in which Hermès is now taking part.
“Mystery at the Grooms’,” located at Pier 36 in Manhattan, brings visitors into the world’s most luxurious escape room. The premise: Grooms—the horse caretakers—let us into their residence, but disaster strikes shortly thereafter. All the horses have gone missing. Quelle horreur! It’s up to the “Hermès detectives” to solve the mystery by searching each of the installation’s six rooms.
The Pantry, one of the rooms in the installation, with leather goods scattered around the space.
Each of the rooms in “Mystery at the Grooms’” is theatrical and immersive—and features unique Hermès pieces. There’s a pantry, where Birkins and Kellys rest among carrots and corn on bales of hay. In the refectory, massive moving displays of food revolve around Hermès china, some of which is stacked high in an Alice in Wonderland-like fashion. The “dormitory” features the brand’s striped bedding, which is also transposed onto the walls and floors. Hermès saddles and riding boots dot the walls, poised at the ready. And the installation goes on, sprawling and showcasing the brand’s 16 métiers: leather, silk, ready to wear, and more.
«The Dormitory,» where horses may peek out under the brand’s Rocabar blankets.
“Playing means being together. Play is movement, freedom, imagination, fantasy, lightness…” says Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director of Hermès, in a statement, “and the horse is our first companion in the playground of creation.”
Horses are hidden throughout the installation in curious places—some require passcodes, others just need keen eyesight, and (spoiler alert) one asks “detectives” to put just the right number of carrots in a motorized pot. Visitors track the horses they find through a mobile web portal and those that spot every member of the missing herd take home a prize. Each session lasts 60 minutes.
«The Laundry,» where games can reveal clues to other horses’ locations.
It’s luxury with a sense of humor as actors stationed throughout the installation guide visitors through games and puzzles—all in character, of course. And it’s accessible, open to the public for free from June 19 through 29 and geared towards a wide swath of ages (7 and up) and all levels of familiarity with the brand. A hint for those attending: Simply follow the hoof prints.
Mystery at the Grooms’ is on view from June 19 through 29 and located at Pier 36, 299 South Street, New York City. To guarantee a spot, make a reservation at hermes.com/mystery.
Hermès saddles appear in many of the installation’s rooms, including the «Head Groom’s Office,» pictured here.
Annie Goldsmith is the senior editor and digital lead at ELLE Decor, where she covers design, culture, style, and trends. She previously held positions at The Information, covering technology and culture, and Town & Country, writing about news, entertainment, and fashion. Her work has also appeared in Vogue, Rolling Stone, and the SF Standard.
