The decline of LVMH and rise of Hermès

First quarter results from Hermès, more travails at LVMH, and why Brunello Cucinelli is the prince of humanistic cashmere

One Maison to rule them all?

Hermès Executive Chairman Axel Dumas at a boutique opening in Rome, Italy. Credit: Elisabetta A. Villa/Getty Images

Last week we wrote about how the value of Hermès, with its solitary brand, had surpassed that of arch-rival LVMH. They have since switched places, and Bernard Arnault’s mass market luxury empire of 75 brands is n…