One of the favorite past times of friend groups the past few years are teaming up or going against each other in escape rooms or mystery rooms. I haven’t tried it myself since I know I’m not that great at problem solving games but from what I’ve heard it’s a good activity for groups and even as team building activities for companies. Imagine though that you’re going through rooms surrounded by items from a luxury brand and trying to solve such a rich person mystery.
That’s what Hermès’ Mystery at the Grooms’ interactive installation is all about. Instead of just doing the usual exhibit to showcase their collection, they created an immersive journey that blurs the line between art, fashion, and playful discovery. They’re offering a feast for the senses and a treasure trove of inspiration for both collectors and design aficionados or those who are just interested in doing a high-end escape room.
Designer: Hermès
The installation is actually based on “The Grooms” which is a reference to the iconic bellboys that are already part of the Hermès universe with their dapper uniforms, polished brass buttons, and a dash of old-world charm. A row of bellboys actually welcome you into the exhibit as you prepare to play detective, piecing together clues and exploring themed rooms. The mystery is that the horses have gone missing and through a phone-based game, you need to locate them as you move through the six rooms, namely the Head Grooms’ Office, Dormitory, Pantry, Refectory, Laundry, and Stock Room.
You start off in a stylized garden with horse-shaped topiaries, various floral arrangements, and of course, some Hermès motifs tucked into these displays. Each of the rooms serve as a stage set and a showcase of their items like ready-to-wear clothes, ceramics, leather goods but they are integrated into the narrative to make everything cohesive. As expected from the brand, they have a meticulous attention to detail with their polished oak cabinets, hand-painted tiles, and other things that you will notice (or maybe not notice).
The clues are both visual and tactile. a concealed safe opens only when the right code is cracked, while in the dormitory, a secret peephole tucked behind a painting reveals another elusive member of the herd. The entire adventure is set against a ticking clock with guests getting just seven minutes in each room, with their progress tracked digitally as they move from clue to clue. And what do you get when you solve it? You get a notebook and a coloring book. Unfortunately there are no Hermès products, although those gifts were designed by the brand.
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