Hermès Welcomes Grace Wales Bonner

Hermès Welcomes Grace Wales Bonner

Hermès Welcomes Grace Wales Bonner New Creative Director of Menswear Appointed: June 2024 Succeeding: Véronique Nichanian (after 37 years)

Who Is Grace Wales Bonner? - British-Jamaican designer (b. 1991, London) - Founder & Creative Director of Wales Bonner (launched 2014) - Central Saint Martins (MA Fashion, 2014) Known for: ✓ Intellectual approach to fashion ✓ Exploration of Black Atlantic identity, heritage, and aesthetics ✓ Fusion of European tailoring and Afro-Caribbean craftsmanship Awarded MBE (2022) for services to fashion

Signature Aesthetic & Philosophy “Spiritual Sportswear”: blending athleticism, elegance, and cultural resonance Emphasis on craftsmanship, material integrity, and narrative depth Rejects seasonal trends in favor of timelessness and meaningful design

Inspirations: • Jazz & literary figures (e.g., James Baldwin, Édouard Glissant) • Vintage photography, archival research • Cross-cultural dialogue — African, Caribbean, European influences

Critical & Commercial Recognition - LVMH Prize (2019 finalist) - British Fashion Awards – Menswear Designer of the Year (2022, 2023)

Collaborations: • Adidas (2021–present): critically acclaimed sportswear line • Dior, Palace Skateboards, Sunspel Exhibitions: • A Time for New Dreams (Serpentine Galleries, 2019) • Wales Bonner: Spirituals (ICA Miami, 2023)

Why Hermès? A Vision Aligned Shared values: craftsmanship, heritage, discretion, timelessness First collection: Fall/Winter 2025 Menswear (Jan 2025) Anticipated synthesis of Hermès’ leatherwork/savoir-faire with Wales Bonner’s poetic masculinity and cultural nuance

Она показывает, что мода может быть не только средством самовыражения, но и способом рассказать о культуре, истории и личных переживаниях. Её подход к дизайну меняет восприятие моды и расширяет границы возможного.

Why Hermès? A Vision Aligned Shared values: craftsmanship, heritage, discretion, timelessness

First collection: Fall/Winter 2025 Menswear (Jan 2025) → Anticipated synthesis of Hermès’ leatherwork/savoir-faire with Wales Bonner’s poetic masculinity and cultural nuance

Strategic Significance First Black designer to lead a major creative role at Hermès Potential to expand menswear’s emotional and conceptual depth — while preserving Hermès’ core codes

Signals Hermès’ commitment to: ✓ Cultural relevance without compromising identity ✓ Intergenerational appeal (resonates with younger, diverse audiences) ✓ Narrative-driven luxury in a post-streetwear era

Conclusion & Outlook “Grace Wales Bonner brings a rare combination: intellectual rigor, cultural fluency, and profound respect for craft — values deeply rooted in Hermès’ DNA.”

Her appointment marks a gentle evolution, not a revolution Watch for: • Elevated tailoring with subtle cultural references • New material explorations (leather, silk, knitwear) • Quiet confidence over spectacle The future of Hermès menswear: poetic, precise, and profoundly human.