Grace Wales Bonner’s rise continues as she takes on one of fashion’s most anticipated roles.
The Spring/Summer 2026 runways may have wrapped up, but the season of debuts is far from over. On 21 October 2025, Hermès announced the appointment of British-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner as the new Creative Director of its men’s ready-to-wear line. The move marks a historic milestone, making her the first Black woman to lead design at a major European luxury house.
This comes just days after the departure of Véronique Nichanian, who held the role for 37 years and will present her final collection in January 2026. Hermès will skip the June 2026 fashion week to ensure a smooth transition as Wales Bonner prepares to debut her first show in January 2027.
Wales Bonner, 35, will oversee the menswear collections, blending Hermès’ heritage of craftsmanship with her signature fusion of tailoring, sportswear, and cultural narratives from the Black diaspora. The news comes as a thrill for both Grace Wales Bonner and those around her, many of whom agree that the designer’s latest achievement is more than well deserved.
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Wales Bonner’s historic moment in fashion
Born to a Jamaican father and a British mother, Wales Bonner has long embodied a blend of cultures that is deeply reflected in her work. The Central Saint Martins graduate (2014) founded her eponymous label in 2015, focusing on menswear that merges post-colonial narratives, streetwear sensibilities and African influences. Her breakthrough debut, Ebonics, drew inspiration from literary greats like James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison, marking her as a fresh and thoughtful voice in fashion.
Since launching her label, Wales Bonner has become a formidable force in menswear, collaborating with global brands like Adidas and dressing high-profile names, including Lewis Hamilton, Fireboy DML, and The Cavemen. Her Adidas Samba collaborations, in particular, have achieved cult status, taking the classic silhouette to new cultural heights.
This year has been especially eventful for her. In June, she presented her SS26 menswear collection at Paris Fashion Week, captivating audiences once again. Shortly after, she made headlines for styling Lewis Hamilton at the Met Gala — a look that had everyone talking.
“I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Menswear. It is a dream realised to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers” – Grace Wales Bonner
This appointment fulfils long-standing wishes and advocacy for Wales Bonner to helm a heritage house, as noted in industry reviews and interviews dating back years. In a 2019 System magazine profile, she cited Hermès as a “lifelong goal,” as she was “interested in a framework and then disrupting elements of classicism within that,” solidifying her full-circle moment.
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