How My Hermès Carré Found Its Way onto the Wall

Back in 2017, living in London, my then-boyfriend (now husband) gave me a beautiful Hermès carré for my birthday. It was one of those unforgettable gifts — the colours vivid, the print mesmerising, the silk impossibly soft.

But I was too nervous to wear it. What if it snagged? What if a splash of wine ruined it forever? So I folded it back into its box and tucked it away at the back of my wardrobe, where it felt “safe.”

Years passed. Every so often, I’d take it out, run my fingers over the silk, and feel a pang of guilt. I loved it, but it never saw the light of day.

Eventually, I realised it didn’t deserve to live like that — hidden away and unappreciated. I began wondering if there was a way to bring it into my daily life while still keeping it protected.

Framing it seemed like the perfect solution — but that’s when the real challenge began.

THE FRAMING FIASCO

At first, I assumed any high-end framer would know how to handle a silk scarf. I was wrong.

Some refused outright, saying it was too risky. Others made excuses about being “too busy.” A few shared horror stories about scarves they’d tried to frame that ended up stretched, warped, or damaged.

More worryingly, several proposed completely unsuitable methods: taping it, loosely stitching it into cardboard, or pressing it flat under glass to keep it taut — all techniques that would destroy the fibres and ruin its value.

It turns out framing a scarf properly — without damaging it — is anything but straightforward. There was no ready-made solution, no clear expert to turn to.

So I decided to figure it out myself.

I spoke to textile conservators, dug through obscure conservation guides, and experimented. After much trial and error, I developed a method that beautifully showcases the scarf while protecting its delicate silk and preserving its value.

A DAILY JOY

Today, that scarf hangs proudly on our wall. Every time I walk past it, I smile. The colours lift the room; the story behind it lifts me.

What was once hidden in the dark is now a piece of art we enjoy every single day — a little treasure that also carries a memory.

WHY I STARTED FRAMED SILK SCARVES

Once I cracked the process, friends and family began asking me to help with their scarves too. I realised I wasn’t the only one who felt conflicted — wanting to enjoy their scarf without damaging it, wanting to honour its beauty without hiding it away.

That’s why I started Framed Silk Scarves — to help transform silk scarves into artworks you can admire and cherish every day.

Explore our growing collection of framed scarves, or get in touch if you have a special piece you’d like to frame. Let us help you bring it to life.