Luxury fashion house Hermès officially named British designer Grace Wales Bonner as the Creative Director of its Men’s Ready-to-Wear division this week. The landmark decision follows the departure of Véronique Nichanian, who held the post for an unprecedented 37 years. This Grace Wales Bonner Hermès appointment is effective immediately, bringing a new vision to the storied French brand.
The appointment makes Wales Bonner the first Black woman to lead design at a major French luxury house. Hermès leadership praised her “contemporary and innovative approach” to menswear, which is rooted in cultural research and meticulous tailoring. Her signature aesthetic blends European sartorial heritage with an Afro-Atlantic spirit. Her new role follows a celebrated decade in the industry for the designer.
Known for her eponymous label, Wales Bonner has already garnered numerous industry accolades, including the LVMH Young Designer Prize and the CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year award. She expressed deep honor, calling the position a “dream come true” and thanking the Dumas family for the opportunity. This move signals a bold evolution for the brand.
While the transition is historic, the designer’s debut will take time. Wales Bonner will present her first collection for the house during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2027, succeeding Nichanian’s final collection set for January 2026. The fashion world eagerly awaits the direction of the new Grace Wales Bonner Hermès appointment.
