Threads of Grace: Reimagining Hermès
When news broke in the fashion world that Grace Wales Bonner would be entering the realm of Hermès, many people took a moment. In 2019, the designer told an interviewer that it would be a dream to “work with a brand like Hermès”. In six years, her dream has become reality, as she has been appointed as the creative director for menswear. This makes her the first Black woman designer to lead a major fashion house.
The name Wales Bonner may be familiar to you in a multitude of ways, from being an emblem on the side of a pair of Adidas Sambas to a menswear brand. But one thing is for certain: Grace Wales Bonner is more than qualified for this position. She has earned a number of recognitions, including CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year in 2021, the British Menswear Designer of the Year in 2024, and an appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to fashion in 2022. She has also styled many people for the 2025 Met Gala, including the co-chair Lewis Hamilton, Jeff Goldblum, Tyler Mitchell, and more.
Courtesy of Oh Its Been A Long Week
Hermès has always built its identity on craftsmanship and timeless French elegance. Founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès as a harness and bridle workshop, the house gradually moved into leather goods, silk, ready-to-wear and more. Meanwhile, Grace has built her identity through narratives, telling stories through sharp silhouettes, and Black history. The combination of these two aesthetics has the potential to make history.
Looking Back to Move Forward
To imagine the impact of Wales Bonner at Hermès, we will be revisiting some of her most iconic collections. Starting at her F/W 19 collection. This collection leaned into soft, tailored suiting and detailing that felt grounded. The collection was concentrated on African intellectualism, taking inspiration from the yearbooks from Howard University. She blended this concept with jewelry and feathers that emulated a sense of voodoo magic from another place.
The next collection that we would look at is her S/S 23 collection, which celebrated ease. There was a portrayal of linen suits, elongated silhouettes, and a warm color palette. For the spirit of this collection, Grace mentioned Sankofa, which is a Ghanaian word meaning “going back to go forward”. It’s about taking something from the past to make it useful for the future.
The gentle sense of ease would breathe new energy into Hermès’ signature silhouettes, especially their formal womenswear pieces. Grace Wales Bonner has always understood how clothing can hold history and possibility. This traditional storytelling could expand Hermès’ original codes.
Courtesy of Vogue
The Future Is Graceful
Hermès is synonymous with excellent craftsmanship and equestrian elegance. Grace’s work doesn’t clash with that history, but can deepen it. Imagine if she takes the brand’s iconic scarf prints, reimagining them with prints inspired by the Black diaspora. She could take her signature relaxed tailoring and pair it with Hermès’ structured handbags.
By pulling from her archive and cultural lens, Wales Bonner has the opportunity to write a new chapter for Hermès that speaks to a more global version of luxury. Fashion thrives when heritage and innovation meet in meaningful ways. Wales Bonner’s move to Hermès isn’t merely about a designer stepping into a historic house, but also about what happens when storytelling and craftsmanship share the same stage. If her past collections are an indication of anything, we can expect a subtle yet powerful shift. A shift that doesn’t scream, but resonates.
As we wait for her debut in 2027, one thing is certain. Grace Wales Bonner doesn’t only design clothes, but she creates worlds. Soon, one of those worlds will carry the Hermès horse.
Courtesy of Vanity Fair
Featured Image Courtesy of Vogue