The luxury world is reeling from a major announcement today as Hermès confirmed the appointment of acclaimed British designer Grace Wales Bonner as its new Creative Director of Men’s Ready-to-Wear. The move sees one of fashion’s most critically lauded independent voices taking the reins at the storied French house, succeeding Véronique Nichanian after her remarkable 37-year tenure.
The 35-year-old designer, celebrated for her eponymous label’s blend of refined tailoring and profound cultural narratives, will present her debut collection for Hermès in January 2027 during Paris Fashion Week Men’s. The appointment is a pivotal moment, making Wales Bonner the first Black woman to lead design at a major French luxury house.
Hermès’ General Artistic Director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, welcomed the decision, stating, “Her take on contemporary fashion, craft and culture will contribute to shaping Hermès men’s style, melding the house’s heritage with a confident look on the now.”
Wales Bonner launched her menswear label shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2014. Her unique vision, which often explores themes of identity, masculinity, and the Afro-Atlantic diaspora through impeccable craftsmanship, quickly garnered international attention.
Her accolades include the LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016 and the CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021. The designer is also globally recognised for her critically and commercially successful collaboration with Adidas Originals, which has cemented her reputation for combining a sportswear sensibility with high-fashion elegance.
In a statement, Wales Bonner expressed her deep honor, saying, “It is a dream realized to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers.”
Grace Wales Bonner steps into the formidable shoes of Véronique Nichanian, who guided Hermès menswear into a multi-billion euro business and defined its elegant, understated aesthetic for nearly four decades. Nichanian’s final collection will be shown in January 2026.
Industry insiders believe Wales Bonner’s intellectually rigorous approach, combined with her focus on quality materials and subtle luxury, makes her a perfect fit to evolve the Hermès codes for a new generation. Her arrival signals a strategic move by the house to infuse its classic foundation with a distinctly contemporary, culturally rich perspective. The fashion world now eagerly anticipates how her signature blend of sartorial innovation and artistic research will redefine the future of luxury menswear.