Hermès menswear designer Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection Saturday during Paris Fashion Week, closing 37 years leading the house’s menswear design. The Fall-Winter 2026 show, staged at the Palais Brongniart—the former Paris stock exchange—featured her signature understated aesthetic and concluded with Nichanian stepping out to acknowledge a standing ovation.
The transition marks a significant shift in luxury menswear leadership. Hermès announced in October that London-based designer Grace Wales Bonner will succeed Nichanian, becoming the first Black woman to lead a major fashion house when she presents her first collection next January.
Design Philosophy: The Understated Approach
Nichanian’s final collection embodied the aesthetic that has defined her tenure at Hermès. Models wore silk turtlenecks paired with leather trousers in a restrained palette of navy, black, and taupe. Overcoats were built with leather patchwork elements and shearling linings, emphasizing warmth and texture without ornamental excess.
Several pieces drew directly from Hermès archives. A navy leather suit with topstitched pinstripes, first shown in 2003, sat alongside a mocha calfskin jumpsuit from 1991, anchoring the collection in the house’s design history. Color arrived in controlled accents: orange and yellow jackets interrupted the darker tones. One of the most striking pieces was a glossy khaki crocodile-skin suit, a statement look that stood apart from the quieter mix of leather, silk, and tailored outerwear.
A High-Profile Audience
The show drew a notably broad audience of music, film, and fashion figures. Singer Usher was seen ahead of the show with Hermès executive chairman Axel Dumas. Rapper Travis Scott, actors James McAvoy and Chace Crawford, and designer Paul Smith were among those attending. The gathering reflected Hermès’ position in contemporary luxury culture and the significance the house places on this leadership transition.
The Succession
Hermès announced in October that London-based designer Grace Wales Bonner will succeed Nichanian, taking over menswear design next January. Wales Bonner, founder of her eponymous label, will become the first Black woman to lead menswear at a major fashion house. The announcement marks a deliberate shift in creative leadership and a milestone for diversity in luxury fashion.
Nichanian’s Next Chapter
Rather than departing Hermès, Nichanian will remain with the house overseeing the men’s accessories and silk divisions. Her continued presence signals a measured transition as the brand’s menswear design enters a new era under Wales Bonner’s direction.