As Hermès prepares for Grace Wales Bonner’s arrival, its Spring/Summer 2027 menswear collection reflects on Véronique Nichanian’s remarkable legacy through understated elegance, impeccable craftsmanship and a quiet sense of transition
Thirty-seven years is more than a remarkable tenure—it is a legacy. That is precisely what Véronique Nichanian leaves behind at Hermès. Having taken the helm of Hermès Menswear in 1988, she stepped down last year as the maison‘s longest-serving creative director, marking one of the longest tenures in modern fashion. Her signature was quiet luxury long before it became a buzzword. Less trend, more craft. Subtle tailoring, exceptional materials and impeccable execution. It is the Hermès menswear code she established, and one that continues to endure..
Before Grace Wales Bonner takes over for Fall/Winter 2027, Hermès sets the stage. Spring/Summer 2027 feels like Nichanian’s second farewell, created by the in-house team as a bridge between her 37 years of rigour and the perspective Bonner will soon bring. It reads as a final note to the atelier, rooted in the craftsmanship and quiet sophistication that defined her tenure.
Then comes the shift. Airy silhouettes meet sporting influences, lending the collection an effortless sense of movement, while Hermès’ mastery of leather introduces structure and refinement. It is unmistakably Hermès, yet lighter on its feet. The colour palette remains rooted in understated neutrals, with monochromatic looks executed with precision. Accessories are equally restrained, from slender scarves to the Birkin, reimagined in several striking iterations.
Presented away from the spectacle of a grand runway, the Spring/Summer 2027 collection adopted a more intimate setting within the maison‘s Paris showroom. Even so, it reinforced the significance of Nichanian’s enduring legacy, bringing one chapter to a close without signaling the end of the story. She departs with characteristic restraint, leaving the studio team to shape what comes next while preparing the house for Grace Wales Bonner’s creative vision in the season ahead.