After nearly four decades at Hermès, Véronique Nichanian is stepping down as the house’s artistic director of menswear. Her final collection will show at Paris Men’s Week in January - closing one of the longest and most quietly powerful runs in modern fashion.

Nichanian joined Hermès in 1988 after being handpicked from Cerruti by Jean-Louis Dumas.

Over the years, she defined a vision of menswear that was never loud or trend-chasing - it was all about ease, movement, and subtle craftsmanship. Her clothes didn’t shout luxury; they whispered it.

Her most recent Spring/Summer 2026 collection summed up her approach perfectly: light, breathable fabrics, fluid silks, and playful touches like monkey-print totes that felt joyful rather than gimmicky. It was everything she’s known for - simple, smart, and beautifully made. In past seasons, she’s even nodded to Indian craftsmanship through prints and textures, treating it not as a trend but as part of fashion’s shared global language.

Nichanian says she still loves her work, but the pace of fashion today leaves little time for life beyond it. After long discussions with Axel and Pierre-Alexis Dumas, she decided it was time to step back - and Hermès gave her the grace to do so on her own terms.

Her exit comes amid a season of major creative shifts across the industry, but hers feels different. This isn’t about disruption; it’s about completion. Under Nichanian, Hermès built a world where clothes felt like companions, not costumes - and that quiet confidence will outlast any season.

Images courtesy of Hermés