One hundred and ninety years after Thierry Hermès opened a harness workshop on the Rue Basse-du-Rempart, the house that defined luxury through leather is doing something it has never done before. Hermès has officially announced its entry into haute couture, with a debut collection designed by Nadège Vanhée set to walk during Paris Haute Couture Week in January 2027.
The news, first reported by WWD, confirms what the industry has been anticipating since early 2026, when CEO Axel Dumas confirmed the recruitment of couturiers into dedicated Parisian ateliers and told reporters he had already seen the first prototypes. Hermès generated 16 billion euros in revenue last year, with 4.5 billion from clothing and accessories alone. The financial foundation for couture was never in doubt.
What interests us in haute couture is the savoir-faire. We already have a very, very high level and an incredible quality of leather, so we said to ourselves, haute couture, why not?
Vanhee, who has served as creative director of women's ready-to-wear since 2014, will lead the collection. She brings a deep understanding of the Hermès customer and a reputation for clothes that move with the body rather than restrict it. The house has also recruited Léa Peckre, former design director at Celine, to help bring the vision to life in the newly built couture atelier.
The move is not about building brand awareness. Hermès already commands that. It is about offering a new tier of craftsmanship and exclusivity to a clientele of collectors and VICs who have been asking for made-to-measure. The house currently operates 16 distinct métiers. Haute couture becomes the 17th, and arguably the one that carries the most symbolic weight.
For context, Hermès joins a select group of houses officially recognised by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. The Spring/Summer 2027 season runs from Monday 25 January to Thursday 28 January 2027 in Paris. All eyes will be on the Faubourg Saint-Honoré.