Fall–Winter 2026 marks the end of an era at Hermès. After 38 years at the helm of menswear, Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection for the Maison — a quiet, considered farewell that reflected the values she had championed since 1988.
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
Across nearly four decades, Nichanian shaped a distinctly Hermès vision of menswear: one rooted not in trends, but in longevity, proportion, and the pleasure of wearing. In an exclusive exit interview with Business of Fashion, conducted prior to the Fall–Winter 2026 runway presentation, she reflected on her resistance to fashion’s accelerating cycle, noting, “I want to stop that because it’s not interesting anymore, the way it’s going faster and faster. Last time, my team showed me something: ‘Do you see that? It’s so nice’. And I said, ‘Yes, I did that at Cerruti in 1988.’ So I think, okay, it’s time to stop when they’re bringing me my old things.”
Rather than designing for a specific type of man, Nichanian focused on the object itself — the garment as something to be loved, lived in, and kept. “I wanted to make the clothes as an object,” she told BOF. “The man could be young, tall, fat, small, I didn’t care. I just wanted him to fall in love with this sweater, this jacket, these leather things.” It was an approach that spoke to Hermès as “a maison de geste” — a house defined by hand, craft, and proportion above all else, creating pieces designed to endure in style, in the wardrobe, and over time, built to be repaired and treasured.
Image courtesy: Hermès
On the Fall–Winter 2026 runway, Nichanian’s principles were immediately evident. The opening looks highlighted clean cuts, refined tailoring, masterful layering, and, of course, leather — hallmarks of her nearly four-decade tenure. Outerwear, as expected for a seasonal lineup, took center stage, ranging from sleek leather trenches to short shearling aviators, suede car coats, and statement glossy crocodile Macs. The color palette remained largely neutral, with black leading the way alongside shades of taupe, slate gray, and off-white, accented by occasional pops of mustard and coral. Later in the show, richer navy blue tones emerged, while subtle patterns, including leather pinstripes, herringbone, and geometric knits, added depth and texture to the refined silhouettes.
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
The Fall-Winter 2026 Bag Collection
Bags are few and far between in this collection, the focus largely on ready-to-wear, though a select sprinkling makes its presence felt. Yet one style quietly commands the spotlight: the Plume. First introduced in the 1960s, this enduring icon has been reinterpreted for Fall–Winter 2026 with contemporary and refined updates. Notably, shoulder straps are entirely absent — every bag is designed to be handheld, carried elegantly by the short top handles.
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
The New Plume Fourre-Tout
The first bag to hit the runway was crafted from glossy Box calfskin, its silhouette recalling the Plume Fourre-Tout. This holdall was carried by its two short top handles, featuring a zip-top closure whose pull neatly secures onto a metal plate, echoing the locking detail of the Faubourg Express from the women’s Fall–Winter 2024 lineup. Complete with four metal feet and a clochette, the design was showcased in a range of sizes in Black and a vibrant Red with palladium hardware, and Rouge H with gold hardware. Adding a touch of texture to the lineup, was a deep brown suede iteration.
Read also: All Aboard the Hermès Faubourg Express
Boasting the same silhouette and hardware details, a more relaxed variation followed on the runway. Crafted from what appears to be Togo leather, this iteration offered a softer, less structured profile.
Plume Fourre-Tout On Radio
It’s not just Louis Vuitton exploring music-inspired silhouettes this season. Hermès reimagined the iconic Plume silhouette as a Plume Fourre-Tout On Radio, all masterfully crafted in leather, with appliqués depicting speakers, and raised playback buttons, alongside a zippered slider. Notably, the leather-clad cassette tape is removable, opening up to reveal a discreet storage compartment before clicking neatly back into place — a clever nod to the mechanics of the real thing. The bag was presented in Gold and Black, each paired with palladium hardware.
Read also: Inside Pharrell’s LV FW 2026 Dream House — Where Bags Are the Main Event
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
The Plume Cover
Adding a utilitarian note to the lineup, a technical ripstop nylon bag cover was introduced, designed to encase the Plume beneath. Secured with poppers and finished with reinforced leather corners and top handles, the cover opens to unveil the Plume inside. Two popper-fastened front pockets reference Hermès’ Cargo Birkin and HAC, while the zip-top closure mirrors fastening details seen across the Plume range. The piece was presented in Écru and black, as well as a deep navy and black combination.
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
The Classic Plume Fourre-Tout
Rounding out the bag lineup, the classic Plume Fourre-Tout also made an appearance. Forgoing the updated zipper mechanism, the Plume Fourre-Tout 40 was presented in a range of leathers, from smooth Swift and textured Togo to matte crocodile for an exotic touch.
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Ready-to-Wear & Accessories
At the Hermès ReSee in Paris, the Fall–Winter 2026 ready-to-wear revealed its nuance up close. On closer inspection, delicate details came to light: intricate leather panels discreetly slipped into shearling and knit jumpers, some concealed behind zippers on high-neck silhouettes. Classic pinstripe suits were reimagined entirely in supple, buttery leather. Elsewhere, a leather jacket opened to reveal an equestrian-inspired printed lining.
Accessories completed the story, spanning new cashmere bandanas, shearling aviator hats, and palladium jewellery accented with equestrian motifs.
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Image courtesy: @eyesmag
Nichanian’s tenure officially closes, handing the reins to Grace Wales Bonner, who now steps in to shape Hermès Men’s next chapter.
Image courtesy: Vogue Runway
What are your thoughts on Hermès Men’s Fall–Winter 2026 collection? Are you drawn to the sleek, handheld Plume Fourre-Tout styles, or is the playful Boombox Plume stealing the show? Let us know your thoughts.
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Updated: January 30th, 2026
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