Grace Wales Bonner Brings Former A.P.C. Designer John-Gabriel Harrison to Hermès

The newly appointed creative director is wasting no time building her core menswear team at Hermès, reportedly recruiting A.P.C.’s former head of design to help shape the luxury house's next chapter.

Koto Bolofo for The Washington Post

Grace Wales Bonner, the recently appointed creative director of menswear at Hermès, is diligently expanding her creative inner circle in preparation for her eagerly awaited debut with the esteemed French luxury brand. As reported by WWD, Bonner has enlisted John-Gabriel Harrison, the former Head of Design at the renowned French contemporary label A.P.C., to join her primary design team. This occurs as the British-Jamaican designer is set to succeed the iconic Véronique Nichanian, who adeptly directed the concept of Hermès menswear for 37 uninterrupted years. The move signifies a significant generational and stylistic change for the esteemed maison, indicating a purposeful fusion of structural perfection and sophisticated Parisian nonchalance for the brand's forthcoming chapter.

The inclusion of the former A.P.C. design head introduces extensive knowledge in refined minimalism, functional wardrobe design, and precise tailoring—characteristics that have consistently defined the modest, effortlessly chic style of the French ready-to-wear brand. This context harmonizes perfectly with Wales Bonner’s scholarly, narrative-focused methodology in menswear, which often amalgamates exquisite tailoring with profound cultural narratives.

The newly expanded design studio is generating creative momentum for its inaugural runway collection, set to debut in January 2027. This significant team expansion highlights a resolute dedication to preserving the heritage house's artisan legacy while confidently presenting a contemporary aesthetic for the modern era.