Overview
- Hermès confirmed the appointment on October 21, with artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas praising Wales Bonner’s contemporary vision rooted in craft and culture.
- Wales Bonner succeeds Véronique Nichanian after a 37-year tenure, with the house planning to skip the June menswear shows ahead of a first Hermès collection in January 2027.
- Multiple outlets report the move as a milestone, identifying Wales Bonner as the first Black woman to lead a major fashion house’s menswear division.
- Coverage indicates she is expected to continue overseeing her namesake label while taking on the Hermès role.
- The South London–born designer brings significant credentials, including the 2016 LVMH Young Designer Prize, a 2021 CFDA award, and a hit ongoing collaboration with Adidas.