The British designer, Grace Wales Bonner, is set to become the next artistic director of Hermès’ menswear division. Her inaugural collection for the esteemed French fashion house will be unveiled in January 2027.
Grace Wales Bonner
Wales Bonner will take the place of Véronique Nishanian, who dedicated 37 years to Hermès, influencing its current perspective on men’s lines. Her concluding presentation will be held in January 2026 during Paris Men’s Fashion Week. The atelier of the Maison will develop the Spring-Summer 2027 assortment, and Hermès will forego Fashion Week in June.
In spite of this fresh designation, the designer will persist in growing her own brand, Wales Bonner, which was established in 2014. She is renowned within the contemporary menswear scene, notably through her immensely favored and widespread collaborations with adidas and her signature fusion of athletic aesthetics and sophisticated design.
Wales Bonner spring-summer 2026
“I am thrilled to welcome Grace to the Hermès family. She possesses a notable understanding of how to meld current fashion, craftsmanship, and cultural setting. Her perspective will contribute to reshaping the brand’s menswear selection and harmonize the legacy of Hermès with the spirit of the present,” remarked Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the House’s overall artistic director.
“It is a profound honor for me to steer the Hermès menswear line. It embodies a dream fulfilled to become part of a Maison celebrated for its excellence, distinctive method, and unparalleled aesthetic. I extend my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis and Axel Dumas for their confidence and the chance to fulfill my vision,” states Grace Wales Bonner.
Who is Grace Wales Bonner?
Grace Wales Bonner was born in London, with an English mother and a Jamaican father. Following studies at Central Saint Martins, she launched her own label and swiftly garnered notice within the sector. In 2015, she secured the Emerging Menswear Designer title at the British Fashion Awards, followed by the LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016 and the CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021.
Wales Bonner x adidas Originals spring-summer 2024
Her collections frequently delve into themes of identity and the multifaceted nature of masculinity. Grace Wales Bonner crafts assortments that consistently carry a specific narrative. Her pieces invariably possess a background – be it historical, cultural, or intimate. This aspect contributes to the distinctiveness of her style.
Return to Paris
The year 2025 held exceptional significance for the designer. She made her comeback to the official Paris Fashion Week schedule after a period of prominence at the 2025 Met Gala, where her velvet ensemble, embellished with cowrie shells, a time-honored emblem in West Africa, was incorporated into the exhibition’s selection. She also styled a number of attendees at the gala, including Lewis Hamilton, FKA Twigs, Omar Apollo, and Jeff Goldblum.
Lewis Hamilton in a Wales Bonner suit at the 2025 Met Gala
“Paris stands as the primary arena for men’s fashion. I frequently draw upon motifs of heritage and tradition, and this is the setting where these concepts resonate naturally,” mentioned the designer post-show. For the spring-summer 2026 season, Wales Bonner presented a compilation where sporty figures were merged with a preppy flair. According to the designer, inspiration stemmed from the Costume Institute’s exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style – she sought to prolong the dialogue on how custom and modernism mold the persona of black dandies.
Wales Bonner spring-summer 2026
New appointment at Hermès
Hermès continues to be among the select few dominant fashion institutions without a solitary creative director. Pierre-Alexis Dumas serves as the artistic director, Nadège Vanier leads the womenswear division, while Pierre Hardy oversees footwear, jewelry collections, and cosmetics. Véronique Nishanian, succeeded by Wales Bonner, has established Hermès’ menswear range as a pivotal component of the business. Over the initial six months of 2025, the brand’s apparel and accessory sales climbed by 5.5%, reaching €2.26 billion.
Wales Bonner spring-summer 2026
Wales Bonner spring-summer 2026
The nomination of Wales Bonner represents a coherent stride for a Maison that esteems craftsmanship while endeavoring to articulate a modern lexicon. Her forte in synthesizing classics, cultural codes, and allure renders this verdict not solely emblematic but tactical as well.
What's next for Hermès
The Hermès entrance of Grace Wales Bonner is anticipated with immense fervor. After a spring-summer 2026 period characterized by upwards of ten designer premieres and merely two within womenswear (Rachel Scott at Proenza Schouler and Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta), her inaugural presentation in January 2027 shall stand as one of the pivotal occurrences within the industry.
Based on material from voguebusiness.com
