As details of Hermès new Autumn/Winter 2019 scarves started to appear online a few weeks ago, I really didn’t think that I would purchase anything. Nothing really “sang” to me. I didn’t love any of them!

But, then the magic of Hermès began to work, as it always has since I first fell down the orange slippery slope. I began to see modelling photos, particularly on The Purse Forum, of the range of colourways as the new season scarves and shawls became available in boutiques and on websites around the world. I hit the “purchase” button last week and this lovely new scarf, Cosmographia Universalis designed by Jan Bajtlik, arrived on my doorstep.

My colourway of the scarf is #05 in bleu jean, rose vif, marine:

Cosmographia Universalis by Jan Bajtlik for Hermès

Description

It is difficult to describe this complex pattern and do it full justice! Like Bajtlik’s design for last season, Animalopolis, the scarf is a riot of colour and activity. Cosmographia Universalis appears to have a river, or lake, in the centre surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, all kinds of amazing architecture and dreamlike, mythological landscapes. Amazing beasts and people move between trees and plants, boats glide across the water, fantastical creatures appear and Bajtlik’s dog sleeps peacefully amongst the riot. This scarf is such fun. Who could look at it without a smile?

The colours in #05 are glorious. A deep fuchsia pink for the contrast rolled hem and across  the design, toning and clashing pinks from cerise to pale rose, a range of blues from navy to sky, touches of white on stylised waves, and some elements are picked out in brown.

Look out for humour and surprises, I have already mentioned the dog. The famous Hermès horse and carriage appear on a bridge, water cascades from a horse’s mouth (horses are everywhere), a water snake (Nessie?) swims in the lake, people climb the mountains, squid fly out of a volcano! A peaceful moon looks down on it all. What else can you find? You could spend an hour looking at this scarf!

Colourways

These are the colourways for the Autumn/Winter 2019 silk twill 90cm scarves. I have added in the codes to help those of you who wish to purchase this scarf, please click on the images below to see them:

H003365S 01

H003365S 02

H003365S 04

H003365S 05

H003365S 06

H003365S 09

H003365S 10

H003365S 11

And here we have the colourways of the Spring/Summer 2020 140cm cashmere/silk  shawls. To see the purchasing codes, please click on the scarf images:

H243365S 12

H243365S 18

H243365S 17

H243365S 16

H243365S 15

H243365S 07

H243365S 03

Design story

Sebastian Münster was a cartographer, historian, astronomer, mathematician and scholar of Hebrew. His work, Cosmographia Universalis, was first published in Germany in 1544 and became one of the most widely-read books of the 16th century. When Jan Bajtlik discovered an original edition of the book in a library in Poland, he was fascinated by its vision of a world made up of myths and legends. His scarf depicts an imaginary landscape that combines architecture with fauna and flora. Taking the seahorses, sea monsters and pyramids of the Cosmographia as his models, he creates a dreamlike world teeming with extraordinary beasts.

Details

Here are some closeups of my scarf in a slideshow format:

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How I wear the scarf

I have only made two Outfit of the Day collages for this scarf, so far, but will add more as I continue to wear it. With my wardrobe, I intend to pair it with navy and blue, and navy with bright pink, as below, and also with cobalt blue, white and perhaps a paler pink. I think the scarf in this particular colourway will work well across the seasons as, although it is a cool weather design, it looks fine here with my Summer clothing because it has such vivid and rich colours.

Outfit of the day 08/09/19 with Hermès’ Cosmographia Universalis scarf

Outfit of the day 12/07/19 with Hermès’ Cosmographia Universalis scarf

Scarf ties

These are a few quick ties that I made to show the details and colours of the scarf. As it was brand new, the silk was crisp and rather stiff, so I haven’t yet tried more flowing ties such as the waterfall knot. I feel that more casual ties probably suit the nature of the design better anyway.

Cosmographia Universalis – scarf ties

1) Top row L to R: basic bias fold, casual knot, basic bias fold using alternate diagonal.
2) Middle row L to R: casual knot using alternate diagonal, half-bow knot using MaiTai mother-of-pearl scarf ring, asymmetric wrap.
3) Bottom row L to R: cowboy cowl knot, casual knot using scarf folded into a triangle, drape knot to show off the scarf details.

Background information

I have found some information about Sebastian Münster and his original Cosmographia Universalis:

Wikipedia
Cosmographia (Sebastian Münster)
Short article about the Cosmographia itself. There are several external links you could follow if you are interested.

Wikipedia
Sebastian Münster
Article about the author of the original Cosmographia.

I cannot find a great deal of information about the designer of the scarf, Jan Bajtlik, unfortunately. You could find him on Twitter and Instagram, if you wish.

Jan Bajtlik
Bio
Biography of the designer on his own site. You can see his previous designs for Hermès on here plus other works.

Wikipedia
Jan Bajtlik
Article about the designer from Polish Wikipedia, in Polish.

I hope readers have found this exploration of Cosmographia Universalis both interesting and useful. Once again, if you find any errors or have any additional information that I could add, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

💙💜❤️💛💚🧡

Edited:

• 12/07/19 to add another Outfit of the Day collage.
• 28/12/19 to add Spring/Summer 2020 140cm shawl colourways.