Hermès Names Grace Wales Bonner as New Menswear Creative Director

Fashion’s ever-spinning carousel of designer appointments took another major turn this morning. Grace Wales Bonner was announced as the new menswear creative director at Hermès, making her the first Black woman to lead design at a major European luxury house. The London-based designer succeeds Véronique Nichanian, who led Hermès menswear for 37 years before stepping down last week.

“I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Menswear,” shared the designer in a statement. “It is a dream realized to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers.”

Best known for her eponymous label that merges sharp tailoring with cultural narratives inspired by her British-Jamaican heritage, Wales Bonner has earned critical acclaim through influential collaborations with brands such as Adidas and Dior. The designer’s unique, research-based approach to fashion has also cemented her status as an industry leader, as evidenced by her curation of the Museum of Modern Art’s 2023 “Spirit Movers” exhibition, along with her role as a host committee member for the 2025 “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” MET Gala and her 2021 win of the CFDA’s International Men’s Designer of the Year award.

In her new role, Wales Bonner inherits a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation from Nichanian, who has been instrumental in shaping Hermès’ menswear identity for almost four decades and will present her final collection for the house this January in Paris. The appointment signals a strategic evolution for Hermès, aligning with its commitment to increase contemporary relevance while honouring its nearly two centuries of history.

Though her official debut won’t arrive until January 2027, we’ll be watching closely as Wales Bonner prepares to usher in a new chapter at the storied fashion house.