Grace Wales Bonner Just Made History

Grace Wales Bonner, the legend you are.

The British designer has officially been named the new creative director of Hermès menswear, marking a historic first as the first-ever Black woman to lead design at a major luxury fashion house.

“I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Men’s Ready-to-Wear. It is a dream realised to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers,” Wales Bonner said in a statement.

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Wales Bonner’s appointment follows the departure of Véronique Nichanian, who stepped down after a remarkable 37-year tenure as artistic director of Hermès’ men’s division. Nichanian’s final collection will show this January, while Wales Bonner’s debut for Hermès is slated for January 2027.

“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,” Pierre-Alexis Dumas, general artistic director of Hermès said in a statement. “Grace’s appetite and curiosity for artistic practice strongly resonate with Hermès’ creative mindset and approach. We are at the start of an enriching mutual dialogue.”

Wales Bonner graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2014 and been hustling ever since. She’s earned some of fashion’s highest honors, nabbing the CFDA Award for International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021 and British Menswear Designer of the Year in 2024.

Of course, her name also rings out far beyond the runway. She’s largely responsible for the modern-day obsession with the Adidas Samba, transforming a once-classic sneaker into a global staple. The internet’s filled with unboxing videos and outfit montages dedicated to her signature collab.

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