Hermes menswear pays tribute to Veronique Nichanian with last Paris show
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 27, 2026, 20:36 IST
A quiet finale unfolded in Paris, where Hermes honored Veronique Nichanian after nearly four decades shaping its menswear. Stability took form through precise tailoring, seen amid an environment often defined by change. Her legacy stood not in spectacle but in steady dedication. Longevity became visible, stitch by careful stitch. The house reflected consistency, even as trends shift without warning.
TL;DR
The final Paris collection by Veronique Nichanian for Hermes served as her final tribute to the fashion house after her 38 years of creating understated luxury through craftsmanship and stable design work.
Saturday evening saw Hermes honor a pivotal figure in contemporary fashion, when Veronique Nichanian unveiled her last menswear line for the storied French brand at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Her departure closes a chapter spanning nearly four decades leading the label’s men's collections, a period shaped by quiet precision, unwavering quality, and subtle evolution. Though understated, her influence remains deeply woven into the house’s identity.
At age 71, Nichanian revealed in October her decision to leave the position held close to forty years. Soon after came confirmation from Hermes: Grace Wales Bonner, hailing from Britain, will take over. This shift arrives with deliberate timing, noted those watching closely, rare within an arena where sudden exits and artistic turbulence are more common.
Held in Paris, the last show gathered clients, journalists, famous faces, along with those who’ve worked closely with her over years. Instead of pulling from past creations or presenting a look back, Nichanian turned to ideas she has followed since the end of the 1980s. With care placed on clean cuts, quiet elegance emerged; fabrics were chosen because they last, feel good, not because they follow what is popular now.
The collection included fine wool sweaters which designers used to create streamlined suits that matched with their leather designs and their comfortable trousers, tailored to create classy looks. The shapes maintained their tailored design while providing comfort because they let users move freely between formal and accurate looks. The collection displayed scarves which showed their patterns through soft design elements while boots functioned as understated pieces that displayed their craftsmanship.
Each accessory carried traces of handwork, echoing a focus long upheld by the house. The vision received its guidance from complete understanding according to Pierre-Alexis Dumas who described Nichanian's influence through his ability to maintain controlled thinking. The way people dressed showed their intelligence and respect because their clothes followed their body movements instead of restricting them. The result was neither loud nor hidden, simply present, defined by what it omitted as much as what remained.
Beyond Hermes, observers say Nichanian’s impact quietly spreads through broader fashion circles. Subtle tailoring and material depth define her work; many brands now mirror such values when aiming past fleeting trends. Quiet precision marks her method, this quality earns mention by influential voices like Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times. In prior remarks, she called Nichanian one who reshaped men’s style without spectacle or loud declarations. Influence here moves beneath noise, steady yet unseen.
Her exit occurs while the international fashion sector undergoes broad transformation. Lately, premium labels face swift shifts in artistic direction due to shifting buyer demands. According to a 2024 report from Business of Fashion and McKinsey, nearly half of leading luxury houses named fresh design leaders within the period examined.
Given the context, Hermes handled its leadership shift without disruption. A message from the brand described Wales Bonder as chosen due to her unique grasp of culture and attention to making things well, traits already central to the label. Her initial men's line for Hermes should appear during the coming year.
A hush followed when Nichanian stepped forward for the last time, greeted by applause that would not fade. Models gone, she emerged just long enough to nod toward those watching, then left in silence. Sound filled the space as clips from earlier shows circled above, fleeting images closing what words did not need to say.
A steady presence stands out where most fade quickly, Nichanian’s path draws attention for lasting beyond fashion’s usual pace. Though trends shifted around her, a quiet consistency shaped each collection, forming bonds not through spectacle but repetition. Trust grew slowly: between maker and wearer, name and identity, season after season. When she stepped away, something foundational settled into history, leaving space only time will fill.
The final Paris collection by Veronique Nichanian for Hermes served as her final tribute to the fashion house after her 38 years of creating understated luxury through craftsmanship and stable design work.
Saturday evening saw Hermes honor a pivotal figure in contemporary fashion, when Veronique Nichanian unveiled her last menswear line for the storied French brand at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Her departure closes a chapter spanning nearly four decades leading the label’s men's collections, a period shaped by quiet precision, unwavering quality, and subtle evolution. Though understated, her influence remains deeply woven into the house’s identity.
At age 71, Nichanian revealed in October her decision to leave the position held close to forty years. Soon after came confirmation from Hermes: Grace Wales Bonner, hailing from Britain, will take over. This shift arrives with deliberate timing, noted those watching closely, rare within an arena where sudden exits and artistic turbulence are more common.
Held in Paris, the last show gathered clients, journalists, famous faces, along with those who’ve worked closely with her over years. Instead of pulling from past creations or presenting a look back, Nichanian turned to ideas she has followed since the end of the 1980s. With care placed on clean cuts, quiet elegance emerged; fabrics were chosen because they last, feel good, not because they follow what is popular now.
The collection included fine wool sweaters which designers used to create streamlined suits that matched with their leather designs and their comfortable trousers, tailored to create classy looks. The shapes maintained their tailored design while providing comfort because they let users move freely between formal and accurate looks. The collection displayed scarves which showed their patterns through soft design elements while boots functioned as understated pieces that displayed their craftsmanship.
Each accessory carried traces of handwork, echoing a focus long upheld by the house. The vision received its guidance from complete understanding according to Pierre-Alexis Dumas who described Nichanian's influence through his ability to maintain controlled thinking. The way people dressed showed their intelligence and respect because their clothes followed their body movements instead of restricting them. The result was neither loud nor hidden, simply present, defined by what it omitted as much as what remained.
Beyond Hermes, observers say Nichanian’s impact quietly spreads through broader fashion circles. Subtle tailoring and material depth define her work; many brands now mirror such values when aiming past fleeting trends. Quiet precision marks her method, this quality earns mention by influential voices like Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times. In prior remarks, she called Nichanian one who reshaped men’s style without spectacle or loud declarations. Influence here moves beneath noise, steady yet unseen.
Her exit occurs while the international fashion sector undergoes broad transformation. Lately, premium labels face swift shifts in artistic direction due to shifting buyer demands. According to a 2024 report from Business of Fashion and McKinsey, nearly half of leading luxury houses named fresh design leaders within the period examined.
Given the context, Hermes handled its leadership shift without disruption. A message from the brand described Wales Bonder as chosen due to her unique grasp of culture and attention to making things well, traits already central to the label. Her initial men's line for Hermes should appear during the coming year.
A hush followed when Nichanian stepped forward for the last time, greeted by applause that would not fade. Models gone, she emerged just long enough to nod toward those watching, then left in silence. Sound filled the space as clips from earlier shows circled above, fleeting images closing what words did not need to say.
A steady presence stands out where most fade quickly, Nichanian’s path draws attention for lasting beyond fashion’s usual pace. Though trends shifted around her, a quiet consistency shaped each collection, forming bonds not through spectacle but repetition. Trust grew slowly: between maker and wearer, name and identity, season after season. When she stepped away, something foundational settled into history, leaving space only time will fill.