Grace Wales Bonner, a 35-year-old British designer, has made history as the first Black woman to lead menswear design at a major fashion house. She has been appointed as the new creative director of menswear for the French fashion house Hermès, succeeding Véronique Nichanian, who held the position for 37 years.
Wales Bonner expressed her appreciation of the role on Instagram, writing, “I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Menswear. It is a dream realized to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers. I wish to express my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for the opportunity to bring my vision to this magical house.”
Wales Bonner’s inaugural collection is set to debut in 2027.
Pierre-Alexis Dumas, general artistic director of Hermès, said, “I am really pleased to welcome Grace to the Hermès artistic director family.
“Her take on contemporary fashion, craft and culture will contribute to shaping Hermès men’s style, melding the house’s heritage with a confident look on the now.
“Grace’s appetite and curiosity for artistic practice strongly resonate with Hermès’s creative mindset and approach. We are at the start of an enriching mutual dialogue.”
Reporting the news on October 21, Vogue wrote, “While industry insiders were betting on a promotion from within, Hermès went for a renowned talent.”
Hermès, like many major fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Loewe, and Jean Paul Gaultier, is experiencing a period of artistic evolution. This comes as the luxury sector navigates global sales challenges. Despite these industry-wide difficulties, Hermès has demonstrated resilience, with its sales continuing to rise. The company reported a turnover increase of over seven percent in the first half of this year, reaching eight billion euros ($9.3 billion), as noted by the AFP.
Born in London to an English mother and a Jamaican father, Wales Bonner established her own label in 2014, shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins College of Art. She will continue to manage her namesake brand concurrently with her new position at Hermès, as reported by Vogue.
Wales Bonner dressed notable figures such as F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, musician FKA Twigs, and actor Jeff Goldblum for the Met Gala this year, and has collaborated with musician Solange Knowles, Beyoncé’s younger sister, on T-shirt designs.
Wales Bonner, recognized with an MBE in 2022 for her contributions to fashion, has a notable history of collaborations, including a long-standing partnership with Adidas.
Her influence extends beyond design, as she has curated an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and organized musical performances at London’s Serpentine Galleries.
