In a historic milestone for luxury fashion, Hermès has announced the appointment of Grace Wales Bonner as the new Creative Director of its menswear line. The British-Jamaican designer becomes the first Black woman to lead men’s fashion at a major European maison, marking a turning point in the history of the French house.
Born in London in 1990, Grace Wales Bonner grew up between two cultures that have shaped her creative vision: European and Afro-Caribbean. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, she founded her own label, Wales Bonner, in 2014, standing out for a style that blends classic British tailoring with a deep exploration of cultural identity.
Her work earned her the LVMH Prize in 2016 and international acclaim for her ability to merge fashion, history, and artistic sensitivity. Wales Bonner has also collaborated with brands such as Adidas Originals, reinterpreting the codes of sportswear.
With her arrival, Grace Wales Bonner succeeds Véronique Nichanian, who led Hermès’ menswear line for nearly four decades. This appointment symbolizes an opening toward a new generation of talent and a clear commitment to diversity and cultural innovation. For Hermès, it represents a natural evolution toward a form of luxury that is more intellectual, inclusive, and attuned to the modern world.
Her first collection for Hermès will be unveiled in January 2027, and expectations are exceptionally high. All indications suggest that the designer will seek to fuse the sophistication of Parisian tailoring with a global, multicultural vision, one in which luxury becomes both a language and a form of reflection.
Grace Wales Bonner does not arrive to break with Hermès, but to reinterpret its legacy with sensitivity and purpose. Within her, elegance, diversity, and intellectual depth converge, the very qualities that contemporary luxury demands.
Her appointment sends a clear message: heritage and innovation can coexist, and Hermès is ready to write its next great chapter.
© Imágenes de Gentelman, The Luxonomist y WHaT Magazine
