The British designer Grace Wales Bonner has been named creative director of Hermès' menswear division, marking a significant milestone for her career and cementing her reputation as a trailblazer in the fashion industry.
At 35, Wales Bonner is poised to join an elite group of designers who have led some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses. The first female black designer to lead a major luxury brand, she succeeds Véronique Nichanian after nearly four decades at the helm of Hermès' men's division.
Wales Bonner's appointment comes as no surprise to fans and industry insiders alike. Her eponymous label has gained widespread recognition for its innovative menswear designs, which seamlessly blend traditional British style with African diasporic aesthetics. The brand's collaborations with Adidas Originals have further cemented Wales Bonner's influence on popular culture, with her Samba and Superstar sneakers becoming staples in the wardrobes of fashion icons from Rihanna to Rishi Sunak.
What sets Wales Bonner apart is her distinctive approach to design, which combines academic rigor with a deep understanding of cultural heritage. Her work explores the intersection of fashion and art, drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as Savile Row tailoring, preppy collegiate coding, and the African diasporic aesthetic. This unique fusion has earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers and the CFDA Award for International Men's Designer of the Year.
Wales Bonner's own background is marked by a passion for cultural exploration and hybridity. Growing up in south-east London, she drew inspiration from the diverse communities that intersected on her daily commute to school. This sense of duality and fusion has informed her design philosophy, which celebrates the beauty of contradictions and the power of art to bring people together.
With her appointment at Hermès, Wales Bonner is poised to take her unique vision to a new audience. Her debut collection for the brand will be showcased in January 2027, promising to deliver a fresh perspective on menswear that is both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural heritage.
At 35, Wales Bonner is poised to join an elite group of designers who have led some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses. The first female black designer to lead a major luxury brand, she succeeds Véronique Nichanian after nearly four decades at the helm of Hermès' men's division.
Wales Bonner's appointment comes as no surprise to fans and industry insiders alike. Her eponymous label has gained widespread recognition for its innovative menswear designs, which seamlessly blend traditional British style with African diasporic aesthetics. The brand's collaborations with Adidas Originals have further cemented Wales Bonner's influence on popular culture, with her Samba and Superstar sneakers becoming staples in the wardrobes of fashion icons from Rihanna to Rishi Sunak.
What sets Wales Bonner apart is her distinctive approach to design, which combines academic rigor with a deep understanding of cultural heritage. Her work explores the intersection of fashion and art, drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as Savile Row tailoring, preppy collegiate coding, and the African diasporic aesthetic. This unique fusion has earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers and the CFDA Award for International Men's Designer of the Year.
Wales Bonner's own background is marked by a passion for cultural exploration and hybridity. Growing up in south-east London, she drew inspiration from the diverse communities that intersected on her daily commute to school. This sense of duality and fusion has informed her design philosophy, which celebrates the beauty of contradictions and the power of art to bring people together.
With her appointment at Hermès, Wales Bonner is poised to take her unique vision to a new audience. Her debut collection for the brand will be showcased in January 2027, promising to deliver a fresh perspective on menswear that is both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural heritage.
can you believe it?! A black woman leading a major luxury fashion brand at just 35? 
she's literally breaking all the rules and paving her own way in an industry thats been super traditional for ages! 
i mean, think about it - she's not just a designer, she's a trailblazer. Her unique approach to design is so inspiring, it's like she's bringing art and culture together in this amazing way 
. and to see her influence on popular culture, from rihanna to rishi sunak (yes, that rishi sunak) wearing her sneakers? 
I'm low-key freaking out about Grace Wales Bonner taking over at Hermès!!! 
She's like, totally killing the game with her unique blend of British style and African diasporic aesthetics 
It's not just about the clothes, it's about the impact she'll have on shaping a more inclusive and diverse fashion landscape 
! I mean, can you imagine someone bringing that Afro-Brit style vibe to the luxury fashion scene? It's about time we saw more diversity like this 
. And let's be real, who else is gonna rock a Savile Row suit and Adidas Samba sneakers at the same time 
? But seriously, I'm hyped to see what she does with Hermès. She's already making waves in the industry, and now she gets to take it to the next level 
. Can't wait for that debut collection! 
conventional wisdom says that designers have to be a certain way or come from a certain place but gracy defies all those rules and still kills it 
can't wait to see what she brings to hermes next!
I'm not sure what's next with fashion, but it feels like we're getting back to the days of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren back in '80s UK. There was something about blending traditional styles with a bit of anarchy that felt really exciting at the time. Now it seems like we've got a new wave of designers pushing boundaries, like Grace Wales Bonner, who's bringing this eclectic vibe to Hermès. I'm intrigued to see how she'll put her own spin on their iconic designs. 
. I mean, she's been killing it with her own label for years, and now she gets to take her brand of cool to a whole new level 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good fusion of style and culture? Wales Bonner's got that down pat 
!
her unique blend of british style and african diasporic aesthetics is giving me LIFE 
and let's be real, who wouldn't want to see rihanna rockin' some wales bonner kicks 
. I'm excited to see what she does at Hermès, her collections are always so fire 
. Like, Grace Wales Bonner is literally a total boss in the fashion world 
It's like, hello, she's been killing it in the game for years, can't we just give her credit now? 
Also, what's with this "trailblazer" narrative? Like, isn't she already a pioneer in her field? 
. Fingers crossed it's not all just a PR stunt 
!