French-Armenian designer Véronique Nichanian has officially presented her final menswear runway show for Hermès, bringing to a close one of the longest and most influential creative tenures in fashion history. The show was presented on January 24, 2026, during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, marking the culmination of a 37-year career that shaped Hermès’ menswear identity and redefined modern luxury, reports French-Armenian journalist Liana Margaryan/Zartonk Media.
Nichanian, 71, was appointed Artistic Director of Hermès Menswear in 1988 at the personal invitation of then-CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. Over nearly four decades, she built the house’s men’s universe from the ground up, establishing Hermès as a global reference for understated elegance, impeccable craftsmanship, and timeless design.
Her final collection, shown today, was the 76th runway presentation she designed for Hermès. The moment marked not only a farewell, but a celebration of a creative philosophy rooted in evolution rather than trends. Nichanian’s work consistently emphasized exceptional materials, refined color palettes, and effortless wearability, garments designed to last, not to shock.
Born in France on May 3, 1954, Nichanian studied at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and began her career at Cerruti in 1976 under Nino Cerruti. When she joined Hermès, the house’s menswear division had yet to be fully defined. Over time, she transformed it into one of the most respected and influential pillars of luxury fashion.
Rather than seasonal reinvention, Nichanian favored subtle refinement of classic silhouettes, introducing innovation through fabric, texture, and proportion. She often described her mission as slowing down time and restoring humanity to fashion, a philosophy that resonated deeply with clients worldwide.
This runway show corresponds to the final collection that will officially conclude her tenure, closing a chapter that began in 1988 and ends with the January 2026 menswear season in Paris. Hermès has confirmed that a successor will take over after this season, with an announcement expected soon.
In its official statement, Hermès paid tribute to Nichanian “with heartfelt emotion,” praising her vision, generosity, curiosity, and lasting impact on the house’s men’s universe. According to Women’s Wear Daily, she stands as the longest-serving fashion creative director in the world, an achievement unmatched in modern fashion.
Nichanian’s legacy is particularly significant as one of the few women to lead a major men’s fashion house. Her departure comes amid widespread creative turnover across the luxury industry, while Hermès remains a rare example of continuity and stability, with women continuing to lead both its men’s and women’s fashion divisions.
As Hermès prepares to enter a new era, Véronique Nichanian leaves behind a body of work that helped define modern menswear and set a global standard for quiet luxury, craftsmanship, and timeless design.
