After 37 years at Hermès, artistic director Véronique Nichanian has stepped down from her role leading the Maison’s menswear division. Nichanian, who holds the longest-running tenure of any creative director at a fashion house, will present her final collection during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2026, after which the Maison will skip the June show. The Spring/Summer 2027 collection will be created by Hermès’ studio as the transition to her successor takes place.
Image courtesy: Vogue
On 21 October 2025, Hermès announced that Grace Wales Bonner would succeed Nichanian as Creative Director of Men’s Ready-to-Wear. The British designer and founder of her eponymous label is known for her innovative and culturally rich approach to menswear, bringing a fresh perspective to the Parisian Maison while honoring its long-standing commitment to craft and refinement.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins in 2014, Wales Bonner quickly established herself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary menswear. She won the LVMH Prize in 2016, an early recognition of her innovative approach to fashion. Over the past decade, she has developed a reputation for blending meticulous craftsmanship with culturally and historically informed narratives, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and the African diaspora through tailoring and textile innovation.
Her work has earned widespread recognition, including the CFDA Award for International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021 and British Menswear Designer of the Year at the Fashion Awards in 2024. Known for marrying intellectual rigor with sartorial refinement, Wales Bonner’s approach aligns closely with Hermès’ focus on quality, artistry, and longevity.
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
Reflecting on her appointment, Wales Bonner said:
“I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Men’s Ready-to-Wear. It is a dream realised to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers. I wish to express my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for the opportunity to bring my vision to this magical house.”
Hermès’ General Artistic Director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, added:
“I am really pleased to welcome Grace to the Hermès Artistic Director family. 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. Grace’s appetite and curiosity for artistic practice strongly resonate with Hermès’ creative mindset and approach. We are at the start of an enriching mutual dialogue.”
Image courtesy: Wallpaper Magazine
It’s a significant moment for the fashion world. Last season featured dozens of designer debuts, yet only two were by women — Rachel Scott at Proenza Schouler and Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta — although it was recently announced that Maria Grazia Chiuri, formerly of Dior, is the new creative director of Fendi. Now, attention turns to Hermès as Grace Wales Bonner prepares to present her first collection for the Maison in January 2027.
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