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It’s rare for longevity to feel as modern as it does in Véronique Nichanian’s world. Since 1988, her vision for Hermès has been one that emphasises timelessness, and this January, that vision comes to a close. Nichanian will present her final collection for Hermès during Paris Fashion Week on January 24, bringing an extraordinary chapter in men’s fashion to its end.
Her appointment, originally under Jean-Louis Dumas, reshaped how the brand spoke to men. She made elegance wearable and subtle, trading flash for quiet assurance. “Working for Hermès since 1988 has been an immense pleasure,” she said, reflecting on her decision. “My wish has always been to create clothes of today for the long term.” It’s a line that distils her perspective which is forward-thinking, yet rooted in craft.
Nichanian’s approach has always been tactile. She explored materials like a sculptor, fusing tradition with technology long before such juxtapositions became industry jargon. Under her hand, innovation never came at the cost of comfort. There was always a sense of ease, a natural grace stitched into every seam. Her clothes weren’t about reinvention for its own sake but about refining the art of living well.
The house, in turn, credits her with guiding the “destiny of a man who walks with allure.” Her influence on men’s fashion can’t be overstated. During her tenure, she cultivated an attitude that was discreet, confident, and quietly sensual. Now, as she prepares her final show, it feels less like an ending than a pause. Hermès will continue, of course, but the tone she set (one of grace anchored in craft) will stay on, much like the faint scent of fine leather long after the man has left the room.
