Introduction to New Creative Director
Grace Wales Bonner is the new creative director of menswear at Hermès. The 35-year-old British designer, who founded her eponymous menswear brand in 2014 and has a long-standing collaboration with Adidas, will present her debut show for the French fashion house in January 2027.
Background and Appointment
She will succeed Véronique Nichanian, who is stepping down after 37 years. Nichanian’s final show will be during Paris Men’s in January, and the house will skip Fashion Week in June. The SS27 collection is created by the studio. It is understood Wales Bonner will continue to run her eponymous brand alongside her role at Hermès.
Reaction to the Appointment
"I am truly delighted to welcome Grace to the family of Hermès artistic directors. Her perspective on contemporary fashion, craftsmanship and culture will help shape Hermès men’s style, combining the House’s heritage with a confident view of the present. Grace’s appetite and curiosity for artistic practice is strongly aligned with Hermès’ creative mindset and approach. We are at the beginning of an enriching mutual dialogue,” said Pierre-Alexis Dumas, general artistic director of Hermès.
Wales Bonner’s Statement
"I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with the role of Creative Director for Hermès men’s ready-to-wear. It is a dream come true to embark on this new chapter and follow a line of inspired artisans and designers. I would like to express my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for the opportunity to bring my vision to this magical house," said Wales Bonner.
About Wales Bonner
While industry insiders relied on a promotion from within their own ranks, Hermès relied on a renowned talent. Born in London to an English mother and Jamaican father, Wales Bonner graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2014 and launched her menswear brand straight after. She has received numerous awards, including Emerging Men’s Fashion Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2015, the LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016, and CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021.
Recent Work and Inspiration
She also had a busy year. After her big moment at the 2025 Met Gala, she returned to the Paris show calendar in June 2025. Her opulent velvet suit, trimmed with cowrie shells, which were once used as currency throughout West Africa, was on display in the exhibition. She also dressed co-chair Lewis Hamilton alongside FKA Twigs, Omar Apollo, Jeff Goldblum and more. "For menswear, Paris is basically the place to be. I talk a lot about heritage and tradition, so I think Paris is the place to have those conversations," she said. For SS26 she presented “a proposal for versatile clothing, a mix of sporting heritage, a casual preppy language and finer tailoring.” She also came from the Met Gala and thought about the idea of Superfine [referring to the theme of the Costume Institute exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”]“I wanted to create a level of continuity, think about that character and bring some of that spirit,” the British designer said backstage.
