Finance
Hermes designer bows out after 37 years with final menswear show in Paris
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Summary
Véronique Nichanian ends her Hermes career with a final menswear show in Paris, passing the role to Grace Wales Bonner. The event featured a star-studded audience.
Véronique Nichanian Bids Farewell with Final Hermes Menswear Show
Véronique Nichanian's Final Show Highlights
By Helen Reid
Celebrity Attendance
PARIS, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Hermes menswear designer Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection on Saturday in Paris after nearly four decades in the role, as the 71-year-old prepared to pass the baton to young British designer Grace Wales Bonner.
Collection Details
R&B star Usher mingled with Hermes executive chairman Axel Dumas ahead of the Paris Fashion Week show in the Palais Brongniart, with a more star-studded crowd than usual for the luxury house known for eschewing flashy marketing and celebrity ambassadors.
Future of Hermes Menswear
Models wore silk turtlenecks with leather trousers in a navy blue, black and taupe palette. Overcoats featured leather patches and shearling lining.
A shiny khaki crocodile-skin suit was a standout look, while Nichanian also mixed in pieces from earlier collections, like a navy leather suit with topstitched pinstripes from 2003 and a mocha calfskin jumpsuit from 1991. Jackets in orange and yellow provided flashes of colour.
Walking out to close the show, Nichanian got a standing ovation from an audience including fellow designer Paul Smith, rapper Travis Scott and actors James McAvoy and Chace Crawford.
Wales Bonner named by Hermes in October, is the first Black woman to lead a major fashion house. She will present her debut menswear collection next January.
(Reporting by Helen Reid; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )
Key Takeaways
- •Véronique Nichanian ends her 37-year tenure at Hermes.
- •The final show featured a star-studded audience.
- •Grace Wales Bonner to succeed Nichanian at Hermes.
- •Collection showcased a mix of new and past designs.
- •Nichanian received a standing ovation at the show.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hermes designer bows out after 37 years with final menswear show in Paris
1What is a fashion designer?
A fashion designer is a professional who creates clothing, accessories, and footwear, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, and trends in the fashion industry.
2What is menswear?
Menswear refers to clothing designed specifically for men, encompassing a range of styles from formal attire to casual wear.
3What is a collection in fashion?
A collection in fashion is a curated group of clothing and accessories designed by a designer for a specific season or theme.
4What is a standing ovation?
A standing ovation is a form of applause where the audience stands up to show appreciation for a performance or presentation.
5What is a luxury brand?
A luxury brand is a high-end brand known for its premium quality, exclusivity, and high price point, often associated with prestige and status.
