In the mid-1980s, Hermès released a silk scarf commemorating the Greek War of Independence. The design was created by Julie Abadie, a Greek artist whose composition brought together figures and symbols associated with the Revolution of 1821.
At the center is Georgios Karaiskakis, one of the best-known military leaders of the struggle. Around him, Abadie arranged weapons, banners and the blue-and-white Greek flag. The result functions as both fashion design and a compact visual narrative of revolution.
The scarf was produced in multiple colorways. Its historical subject, limited production and association with Hermès have made surviving examples collectible. Color affects the experience of the composition, but the historical design remains consistent across the variants.
The vintage examples selected for Pappas Market are individual objects, each with its own condition and color palette. They are offered as collectible textiles whose significance rests in Abadie’s design and in the unusual decision by a French fashion house to commemorate the Greek struggle for independence.
View the currently available vintage Hermès “1821” scarves.
Source and further reading: Adapted from Gregory Pappas’s “When Hermès Honored the Greek Revolution” in The Pappas Post.