Hermes Scarf Rafales (Squall) Stunning Pink, and Feels Unworn!

An absolutely stunning scarf for the yachtie in your life! The colours are so vibrant they’re almost high-viz, and the scarf feels unworn. There is some marking in one corner, but this won’t be noticeable when worn.  Condition 9.6/10.

‘Rafales’ (meaning gust of wind, or squall), by Yannick Manier, was first issued in 1988. Feel swept up and swept away with Yannick’s magnificent sails! Stunning details, beautiful composition and above all gorgeous colour palette!

Dutch artist, Yannick Manier, born in 1947, only designed three Hermes scarves – each one featuring huge and dramatic gaff-rigged racing yachts:, Rafales (‘Squall’), ‘En Course’ (literally, ‘In The Race’), and Vent Portant (‘Down Wind’). These scarves were first issued in 1988, 1989 and 1992 respectively.

Two famous yachts beloved by Manier are the ‘Tuiga’ and ‘Hispania’, later featured in marine artist Roger Davies’ painting ‘Tuiga, Hispania, and the Lady Anne’ (currently on sale for £37,000!). Davies’ picture depicts the three yachts competing against each other in Cowes Roads in 1912 in the 15-metre class. This was a popular class, and in total 19 vessels were built, all designed by William Fife, four of which are still sailing today, beautifully restored, the fourth being ‘Mariska’. Confusingly, a ’15-metre classic racing yacht’ typically measures 23 – 28 metres in length.

Tuiga and Hispania were both built in 1909 as twins, so that they would be equally matched in races.

After several years of complete restoration, Tuiga is today the Yacht Club de Monaco’s flagship, and was celebrated in yet another Hermes scarf, designed in 2008 by Dominik Jarlegant. In 2013 she was voted the finest classic yacht of all time.

Hispania was first owned by King Alfonso XII of Spain. She was restored in 2005.

The Lady Anne was refitted in 1999.

The four Classic yachts competed for the first time in 100 years in the Monaco Classic Week in 2011.

Manier also produced a limited edition volume of 19 lithographs, using original watercolours, featuring the most iconic yachts of the late 70s and early 80s. These include the infamous ‘Police Car’, an Australian yacht, designed by Britain’s top naval architect, Ed Dubois. ‘Williwaw’ and the infamous 73′ ‘Windward Passage’ – still sailing today!

The dramatic illustrations bring the grandeur and movement of these enormous yachts to life; all three of Manier’s stunning scarves breathe the very essence of their beauty as they crash through the waves – feel the wind whistling through your hair! Smell the damp of the spray!