For many in fashion, an appointment for Grace Wales Bonner has long felt inevitable; the designer behind her eponymous label is one of the most revered creative voices of her generation, and at just 35 years old, she is now stepping into one of the industry’s most storied roles — as the new creative director of Hermès menswear. The French house confirmed today that Wales Bonner will succeed Véronique Nichanian, who departs after an extraordinary 37-year tenure. Nichanian’s final collection will show during Paris Men’s Fashion Week this January, while the studio will oversee the Spring/Summer 2027 offering before Wales Bonner’s debut in January 2027.

The appointment marks a historic and deeply symbolic moment for Hermès. Known for her erudite approach to design, Wales Bonner has built a universe that moves fluidly between sartorial precision, spiritual inquiry, and cultural reflection. Since launching her namesake brand in 2014, she has become known for weaving together narratives of Black identity, European tailoring, and diasporic heritage — a language of dress that is both scholarly and soulful. Her partnership with adidas has further expanded her reach, bridging the space between luxury and streetwear through a lens of elegance and depth. Personally, I credit the broader industry’s obsession with the slim-line ballet flat and sneaker trend to Grace Wales Bonner — her influence on proportion, texture, and finish has been quietly seismic. The trickle-down effect of her signature use of pony hide and animal prints as central fashion motifs is undeniable; and I’m not alone in thinking so.

According to a report referenced by Culted, Wales Bonner’s collaboration with adidas “helped to revive” the Samba, and the Samba franchise contributed to a first-quarter figure of €5.5 billion in 2024 (though that number refers to a broader adidas category rather than the collaboration alone). The Samba’s renaissance — from cult favourite to global phenomenon — is often credited to her reinterpretations of the silhouette, which brought craft and cultural storytelling into the sneaker mainstream.

Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès’s artistic director, welcomed her appointment by describing Wales Bonner as a creative whose understanding of craft and culture aligns with the maison’s own ethos of quiet excellence and curiosity. Wales Bonner, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, calling the role “a dream realised” and a continuation of Hermès’s lineage of artistry and craftsmanship.

This appointment signals a new promise for the fashion industry, which has long been criticised for its musical-chairs rotation of white, male designers amid a growing demand for genuine diversity and cultural nuance. As the first Black woman appointed to lead a major luxury house, Wales Bonner’s arrival at Hermès gestures toward a meaningful rebalancing of power and perspective within the upper echelons of fashion. We’re holding out hope that this marks the beginning of a ripple effect: one that revitalises the industry through deeper inclusivity, richer storytelling, and a renewed respect for the multiplicity of global creative voices shaping the culture today.

Wales Bonner is a tailoring master, but it is equally her strength with accessories that makes her uniquely suited for this role. Hermès is, after all, a house built on leather, craftsmanship, and objects of enduring beauty — from saddlery to silk, and from the Kelly to the cuff. Wales Bonner’s ascendance to a house defined by footwear, jewellery, and bags is somewhat predestined; her sensitivity to material, symbolism, and detail sits in perfect harmony with Hermès’s artisanal approach. We have a gallery roundup of our favourite pieces from the designers’ accessories offering in recent years. 

The Jewel Sneaker with snake embossed leather, via @walesbonner IG

Via @walesbonner IG

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