Hermès has officially appointed Grace Wales Bonner as its new Artistic Director of Menswear, marking one of the most significant creative transitions at the French house in recent years. She succeeds Véronique Nichanian, who stepped down after a 37-year tenure leading the category.
Wales Bonner, a British-Jamaican designer and founder of her eponymous London-based label, has built an international reputation for her intellectually rooted approach to menswear, known for its fusion of European tailoring codes with diasporic narratives, literature, music, and spiritual research. Her appointment signals Hermès’ continued commitment to craft-led, culturally literate menswear rather than trend-driven reinvention.
The house has not yet confirmed when her first collection will be shown, but industry sources suggest her debut is expected for the Autumn/Winter 2026 menswear season in Paris. Until then, the brand will continue to show Nichanian’s final works.
Wales Bonner has previously collaborated with brands including Adidas and Dior, and was awarded the LVMH Prize in 2016. Her work is regarded for its fine attention to textiles, proportion, and historical sensitivity, attributes closely aligned with Hermès’ discreet but exacting luxury ethos.
In a brief statement, Hermès described her as “a natural evolution for the maison, grounded in cultural intelligence, craftsmanship, and poetic precision.”
Her appointment places Hermès among a rising number of European luxury houses turning toward designers who bring a research-based, anthology-driven perspective to menswear, rather than spectacle-first showmanship.
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