Who is Grace Wales Bonner? The designer behind Meghan Markle’s iconic 2019 look, now named Hermès’ menswear creative director

Over the last 10 years, British designer Grace Wales Bonner has developed a contemporary and innovative approach to menswear, which has led to her big break as the new creative director of the menswear collection at Hermès.

She will succeed the French designer Véronique Nichanian, who headed the men’s division for 37 years, and will be ready with her showcase in January 2027.A look at her fashion journeyGrace Wales founded her eponymous brand in 2014, straight after graduating from Central Saint Martins College of Art in London. She’s known for her excellent taste in menswear and introduced a womenswear division in 2018.In 2019, Grace Wales gained prominence when Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wore a Wales Bonner white trench dress and introduced her son Archie to Prince Harry.

Her outfits were soon selected for the Met’s Costume Institute 2025 exhibition and were appreciated by the mastermind of the fashion world, Anna Wintour.

After founding her own label, she won the LVMH prize for young fashion designers after she impressed a judging panel that included some of the big names from the fashion world, like Karl Lagerfeld, Jonathan Anderson, and Phoebe Philo.Luck, hard work, or connections?Outside the fashion world, not everyone has heard Grace Wales' name, but they might be aware of her designs.

This raised questions about her capabilities, but the girl has got talent, which we have all witnessed in her collaborations with Adidas Originals.

She is the reason behind the success of Adidas Sambas, as she has been reworking and revitalising the styles since 2020, which are now a staple in celebrities' wardrobes, like Rihanna and Gigi Hadid.In fashion circles, her appointment at a luxury storied fashion house comes as no surprise, as her name has been mentioned as a frontrunner for other job openings, such as at Louis Vuitton and Givenchy.

According to a report in the BBC, Grace said, It is a dream realised to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers." On the other hand, welcoming her to the Hermès family, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the general artistic director of Hermès, said, "I am really pleased to welcome Grace to the Hermès artistic director family.”He continued, “Her take on contemporary fashion, craft, and culture will contribute to shaping Hermès men's style, melding the house's heritage with a confident look on the now. Grace's appetite and curiosity for artistic practice strongly resonate with Hermès's creative mindset and approach. We are at the start of an enriching mutual dialogue.”Nayanthara just turned a classic silk saree into pure power dressing, heritage has never looked this haute! Grace Wales Bonner also becomes the first woman of colour to lead the French fashion house.