Hermès names Grace Wales Bonner as menswear creative director

Hermès announced on Friday that British designer Grace Wales Bonner has been appointed creative director of mens ready-to-wear, succeeding Véronique Nichanian, who left the role after 37 years. Wales Bonner, 35, will present her first collection for the French luxury house in January 2027 and will continue to run her eponymous label alongside the new appointment.

Hermès said the move follows Nichanian’s departure last week. Nichanian had led Hermès menswear for nearly four decades and was widely credited with shaping the house’s understated, wearable approach to luxury. Hermès’ general artistic director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, described Wales Bonner’s work as resonant with the brand’s craft-driven approach, saying her “appetite and curiosity for artistic practice strongly resonate with Hermès’ creative mindset and approach. We are at the start of an enriching mutual dialogue.”

Wales Bonner trained at Central Saint Martins and launched her namesake label in 2014. Her work interweaves British tailoring, Savile Row techniques, and Caribbean influences, and she is known for exploring cultural themes such as Black Dandyism and Afro-Atlantic aesthetics. She has received several industry...