Hermes designer Véronique Nichanian bows out after 37 years with final Paris menswear show

Véronique Nichanian presented her final Hermes menswear collection in Paris after nearly 37 years in the role; Grace Wales Bonner has been named her successor and will present a debut menswear collection next January.

Véronique Nichanian presented her final Hermes menswear collection on Saturday in Paris, bringing to a close nearly 37 years as the house's menswear designer. The show was held at the Palais Brongniart during Paris Fashion Week and drew a more star-studded audience than the brand typically attracts. The collection mixed new pieces with designs from Nichanian's past work and used a restrained palette with occasional bright jackets. Nichanian walked out at the close of the show and received a standing ovation. Key details: - The runway included silk turtlenecks paired with leather trousers in navy, black and taupe tones. - Overcoats featured leather patches and shearling lining, and a shiny khaki crocodile-skin suit was highlighted in coverage. - Nichanian incorporated earlier pieces such as a navy leather suit with topstitched pinstripes from 2003 and a mocha calfskin jumpsuit from 1991. - The audience included R&B artist Usher, Hermes executive chairman Axel Dumas, designer Paul Smith, rapper Travis Scott, and actors James McAvoy and Chace Crawford. - Grace Wales Bonner, who was named by Hermes in October, is set to succeed Nichanian and will present her debut menswear collection next January. Summary: Nichanian's final show marks a planned leadership transition at Hermes's menswear division after a near four-decade tenure. The house has appointed Grace Wales Bonner as her successor, and she is scheduled to present her first menswear collection in January. The immediate next public step is the debut collection by Wales Bonner at the next menswear showcase.