Grace Wales Bonner: Building the Future of Hermès
In a recent and exciting announcement, Hermès has announced that English fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner will make history as the first Black woman to be the creative director for men’s ready-to-wear. Bonner, who launched her namesake brand after her graduation from Central Saint Martins in 2014, is a deeply passionate and accomplished designer. She has many accolades under her belt: the LVMH Young Designer Prize, Emerging Menswear Designer at the British Fashion Awards, Independent British Brand at the Fashion Awards, and more. As a highly lauded and skilled menswear designer, in her own words she states that she will bring an “Afro-Atlantic spirit to European luxury.”
Image via The Washington Post
The basis of her work is grounded in broad cultural research. In an interview conducted by Antwaun Sargent for Public Service, she offers an in-depth explanation of her dedication to research and its role as a “grounding practice for [her].” This practice not only allows her to stay informed and knowledgeable about history and fashion, but offers a sense of spirituality and artistry; and in painting research in this light, she detaches the necessity for a physical outcome. As a society we put a lot of pressure on the artists that we admire to not only deliver, but to deliver with perfect execution. I imagine that looking at research through this lens of learning and skill building rather than physical outcome relieves a lot of this pressure.
Image via Wallpaper
Bonner wants to reveal Black stories of luxury and sophistication within history that have not yet been explored in fashion. Not only does she create incredible clothing, but the photographers she chooses to work with help her achieve her goal of curating an image archive of Black people. The image creation aspect of Wales Bonner is as equally important as the clothing creation. She wants to create history and become a research source, which circles back to her love of and dedication to research. Over time, her creations will become a part of the archive.
Bonner entered menswear as a reaction to a limited scope of how Black masculinity was being portrayed in fashion at the time of her graduation. Drawing inspiration from the men in her life such as her dad and her brothers, she takes a sensitive approach to menswear and exhibits a sense of gentleness. She prioritizes beauty and expresses a desire to be tender towards who she is dressing. And as we don’t currently have a distinct brand that we can point to as a Black legacy brand, she finds it important to think deeply about how she can build a heritage for Wales Bonner. As someone who values the time it takes to build a luxury brand, she is truly the perfect fit for Hermès, a house defined by heritage.
Wales Bonner Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear Collection via WWD
Her most recognizable design may be her take on the Adidas Samba, specifically the leopard ponyhair and silver colorways. I don’t think I fully understood the magnitude of the swag I would be missing out on when the ponyhair versions dropped and I didn’t immediately buy a pair. As freshman Olivia sat in her introduction to communications class and ignored that drop notification on the Adidas app, she had not yet realized what she would be losing. The leopard colorway now resells for $1,300 on StockX. If I could turn back time I would… but alas. Now I know that a Wales Bonner drop is not to be overlooked.
One thing is certain: Grace Wales Bonner knows what fashion-lovers want, and her designs are in high demand. A designer with such significant cultural relevance is exactly what Hermès needs. While she’s blessing men’s RTW with her undeniable talent, she will continue to design for her namesake brand. Needless to say, the fashion world is buzzing with excitement as we await her first collection, which will debut in January of 2027, as well as what the future holds for Wales Bonner.
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