Axel Dumas, the chief executive of the renowned French luxury brand Hermes, revealed during the company's financial results presentation that he had a brief encounter with Jeffrey Epstein in March 2013. Epstein joined a group of guests, which included actor Woody Allen, uninvited and without any prior communication to Hermes. Dumas recollected that the incident was unexpected and highlighted the uncomfortable truth of Epstein's reputation as a convicted sex offender.

Dumas elaborated on the details of the meeting, stating that they took a photograph together, which has since become a point of interest in the ongoing investigations surrounding Epstein. He acknowledged that while Epstein attended the workshop without invitation, the image later circulated in files released by the US Justice Department, raising ethical questions concerning social activities with individuals known for their criminal backgrounds. Dumas emphasized that he maintained professional boundaries following the initial encounter.

Furthermore, it was noted that Dumas declined Epstein's attempts to arrange future meetings, as evidenced by emails reviewed by AFP. The situation underscores the complex interplay between public figures and those with controversial histories, particularly in high-profile industries such as luxury fashion. The disclosure also sheds light on Hermes' commitment to maintaining its reputation amidst challenging narratives associated with its past encounters.