Over the past two years, as designers came and went, one name was constantly mentioned yet seemed almost mythical: Grace Wales Bonner. The 35-year-old designer has quietly transformed menswear since launching her label after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2014. Today, it was announced that she will take over as the new creative director of Hermès menswear, replacing Véronique Nichanian, who will present her final collection in January after 37 years in the role.

This news comes as a surprise only because, amid a whirlwind of designer changes—including 15 debuts scheduled for the spring 2026 season—many believed Wales Bonner was more focused on growing her own brand. In a way, that’s true, but not entirely. Even as she steps into her new role at Hermès, she will continue to lead her namesake label.

Since her first menswear collection in spring 2017, Wales Bonner has stood out from her peers with her thoughtful storytelling and dedication to classic tailoring, all while centering the Black male experience. Her debut drew inspiration from Haile Selassie’s 1930 coronation as Emperor of Ethiopia, featuring delicate cowrie-shell embellishments on short capes and slim three-button jackets paired with elegant navy velvet trousers. The following year, she referenced James Baldwin, presenting a collection with a raw, sensual edge—including leather suits worn bare underneath.

She continued to explore personal and cultural narratives, such as the “Lovers Rock” collection, inspired by her Jamaican father’s connection to the 1970s London music scene. She has also collaborated with artists like Kerry James Marshall, Lubaina Himid, and Kendrick Lamar. While her collections are intellectually rich, they never sacrifice wearability—her clothes remain deeply desirable and relevant.

In 2020, she launched a highly successful partnership with Adidas Originals, which continues today. The collaboration has been hugely influential, not only because her sneaker releases sell out instantly, but because they sparked a wave of designer sneaker collaborations and helped fuel the Samba’s popularity throughout the 2020s.

Throughout her rise, Wales Bonner has maintained an air of mystery. She avoids personal social media, preferring to express herself through her work and special projects. These include curating “Grace Wales Bonner: A Time for New Dreams” at London’s Serpentine Galleries—a display of her extensive cross-cultural research leading up to her fall 2019 collection—and “Artist’s Choice: Grace Wales Bonner—Spirit Movers” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, which explored how sound and movement can be captured through various forms. She also organized “Togetherness,” a series of musical performances, most recently at the Guggenheim, featuring artists like Nigerian duo The Cavemen, singer Amaaraw, and South African a cappella group The Joy.

“I want the Wales Bonner world to be about physical experiences,” she told Vogue earlier this year. “I want to celebrate with people. Fashion shows often reach a small audience—I want to open up and let people engage with our world.” Her new position at Hermès is set to broaden those possibilities, both for her and for us. Below, explore the best of Wales Bonner’s work in Vogue.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and concise FAQs about Grace Wales Bonners new role at Herms inspired by the Vogue highlight

Beginner General Questions

1 Who is Grace Wales Bonner
Grace Wales Bonner is a highly acclaimed BritishJamaican fashion designer known for her Londonbased label Wales Bonner She is celebrated for her intellectual and elegant designs that explore themes of Black and AfroAtlantic culture identity and craftsmanship

2 What is her new role
She has been appointed as the new Menswear Creative Director for the French luxury house Herms

3 What does a Menswear Creative Director do
They are responsible for the overall creative vision for the brands mens clothing and accessory collections This includes designing the seasonal collections setting the artistic direction for fashion shows and shaping the identity of the brands menswear

4 Why is this news such a big deal
This is a major appointment because Herms is one of the most prestigious and historic luxury brands in the world Choosing a young independent designer like Wales Bonner to lead its menswear signals a significant and exciting new direction for the house

Advanced InDepth Questions

5 What is her design background and how does it fit with Herms
Wales Bonners work is deeply researched focusing on exquisite tailoring sophisticated textiles and a hybrid of European and African influences This aligns perfectly with Hermss core values of unparalleled craftsmanship luxury materials and timeless elegance

6 What was Vogues main highlight or takeaway
Vogue highlighted this as a historic and perfect match emphasizing how her intellectual rigor poetic sensibility and dedication to craft make her uniquely qualified to reinterpret Hermss heritage for a modern audience

7 Who was the previous menswear designer at Herms
The previous Menswear Artistic Director was Véronique Nichanian who held the role for over 35 years and is credited with defining the modern understated elegance of Herms men

8 What kind of changes can we expect in Herms menswear
While the core Herms values of quality and luxury will remain you can expect a more nuanced and culturally resonant perspective Look for influences from her AfroAtlantic research more experimental yet refined tailoring and a fresh intellectual energy infused into the classic Herms silhouette