Grace Wales Bonner has been appointed as the new creative director of menswear at Hermès. The 35-year-old British designer, who launched her own menswear label in 2014 and has a long-running partnership with Adidas, will debut her first collection for the French fashion house in January 2027. She takes over from Véronique Nichanian, who is retiring after 37 years. Nichanian’s final show will be at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January, and Hermès will not participate in the June fashion week. The Spring/Summer 2027 collection will be developed by the in-house studio.

Wales Bonner is expected to continue leading her own brand while working with Hermès.

Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès’ general artistic director, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Grace to the Hermès artistic team. Her perspective on contemporary fashion, craftsmanship, and culture will help shape the men’s style at Hermès, blending the house’s heritage with a modern outlook. Her enthusiasm and curiosity for artistic expression align closely with Hermès’ creative philosophy. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”

Wales Bonner added: “I am deeply honored to take on the role of creative director for Hermès men’s ready-to-wear. It’s a dream come true to join such a legacy of skilled artisans and designers. I’m grateful to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for this opportunity to contribute my vision to this extraordinary house.”

While many expected an internal promotion, Hermès chose an established talent. Wales Bonner, born in London to an English mother and Jamaican father, graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2014 and founded her menswear brand that same year (adding womenswear in 2018). She has received several accolades, including the Emerging Menswear Designer award at the British Fashion Awards in 2015, the LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016, and the CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021.

She has had a busy year, returning to the Paris show schedule in June 2025 after a standout appearance at the Met Gala. Her lavish velvet suit, adorned with cowrie shells—historically used as currency in West Africa—was featured in the exhibition. She also styled co-chair Lewis Hamilton, along with FKA Twigs, Omar Apollo, Jeff Goldblum, and others.

Reflecting on her work, she noted: “Paris is the center for menswear. I often explore heritage and tradition, and Paris is where those discussions happen.” For her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, she described it as “an eclectic approach to dressing, combining sportswear heritage, casual preppy styles, and refined tailoring. Inspired by the Met Gala and the ‘Superfine’ exhibition theme, I wanted to maintain continuity and bring that spirit into the collection.”

In recent years, Wales Bonner has frequently been considered for creative director roles at major fashion houses. Sarah Mower of Vogue Runway remarked in her review of the SS26 show: “It’s baffling and disappointing that influential and commercially savvy designers like Grace Wales Bonner and Martine Rose haven’t been hired by a major house sooner.” This sentiment resonated widely on social media.

Hermès operates without a single creative director; Pierre-Alexis Dumas oversees overall artistic direction, Nadège Vanhee leads women’s design, and Pierre Hardy manages shoes, jewelry, and beauty products. Despite the luxury market’s challenges, Hermès continues to achieve strong growth.Managing any category at the house is a demanding role in itself. Wales Bonner’s predecessor, Nichanian, revolutionized menswear and built it into a major business as well; Hermès’s ready-to-wear and accessories grew by 5.5 percent to €2.26 billion in the first half of 2025.

This is an exciting announcement. After the major reset of SS26, which featured a dozen designer debuts but only two from female designers—Rachel Scott at Proenza Schouler and Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta—two highly anticipated debuts are on the horizon: Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first show at Fendi in February 2026 and Wales Bonner’s first show at Hermès in January 2027.

Comments, questions, or feedback? Email us at feedback@voguebusiness.com.

More from this author:
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– Kering’s Luca de Meo reflects on his fashion week debut
– Hermès’s Véronique Nichanian to step down after 37 years

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Herms naming Grace Wales Bonner as the new creative director for its menswear line with clear and concise answers

General Beginner Questions

1 Who is Grace Wales Bonner
Grace Wales Bonner is a highly acclaimed British fashion designer known for her namesake label Wales Bonner She is celebrated for her intellectual and researchdriven approach to design which often explores themes of Black and AfroAtlantic culture history and identity

2 What is she the creative director of at Herms
She is the new Creative Director of the Menswear division at Herms

3 When was this announcement made
The announcement was made in late 2024 with her first collection expected to debut in 2025

4 Who did she replace
She replaced Véronique Nichanian who had held the position for an incredible 35 years and is widely credited with defining the modern elegance of Herms menswear

5 Is this a permanent position
Yes this is a permanent longterm leadership role not a temporary collaboration

Advanced IndustryFocused Questions

6 Why is this appointment such a big deal
This is a landmark appointment for several reasons
Historic Role She is the first woman to ever lead the menswear division at Herms
A New Vision It signals a significant shift bringing a new culturallyrich perspective to a house known for its timeless understated luxury
Her Background Her appointment of a Black female designer to such a prestigious role in a historic Parisian house is a powerful statement in the fashion industry

7 What is Grace Wales Bonners design style and how might it fit with Herms
Her style is elegant intellectual and deeply researched She masterfully blends tailoring with a relaxed poetic sensibility While her personal work is culturally specific her focus on craftsmanship quality and sophisticated silhouettes aligns perfectly with the core values of Herms

8 What was Véronique Nichanians legacy and how will Wales Bonner build on it
Véronique Nichanians legacy is one of impeccable discreet luxury perfect tailoring and luxurious fabrics Wales Bonner is expected to honor this foundation of quality while introducing her own narrative depth cultural references