As interesting as it’s been watching fashion’s game of creative director musical chairs over these past few months, it’s been tiresome witnessing white man after white man getting appointed at these top fashion houses.

Some women have broken through the noise, such as Bottega Veneta’s Louise Trotter and Dior alum Maria Grazia Chiuri, who returned to Fendi. And in September, Proenza Schouler named Rachel Scott as its new creative director, marking an extra celebratory moment to see a Black woman take such a top job in the industry.

Tuesday brings another celebratory moment: Hermès just appointed Grace Wales Bonner as its new menswear creative director, effective immediately. She replaces Véronique Nichanian, who exited the company earlier this month after 37 years at the house.

“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Men’s Ready-to-Wear,” Wales Bonner said in a press statement. “It is a dream realized to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers. I wish to express my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for the opportunity to bring my vision to this magical house.”

The Central Saint Martins alum launched her eponymous menswear brand in 2015 (and later introduced womenswear in 2018). Industry recognition came rather quickly: She received the emerging menswear designer award at the British Fashion Awards in 2015, the LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016, the CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year award in 2021 and British Menswear Designer of the Year at the Fashion Awards in 2024. 

In 2025, she hasn’t slowed down in the slightest. This June, she returned the Paris Men’s Fashion Week calendar for the Spring 2026 season. Wales Bonner also made her Met Gala debut: Her work was featured in the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibit, and she dressed multiple celebrities for the carpet, including co-chair Lewis Hamilton, in addition to FKA twigs, Omar Apollo, Jeff Goldblum, Tyler Mitchell and Antwaun Sargent.

Following her Hermès appointment, she has yet to confirm whether she will continue to run her eponymous brand.

“I am really pleased to welcome Grace to the Hermès Artistic Director family. 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,” stated Pierre-Alexis Dumas, general artistic director of Hermès. “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 will present her debut collection for Hermès Men’s in January 2027.

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