French luxury group Hermes is entering the world of haute couture and will unveil its first-ever collection in January, the company told AFP on Thursday.
Head womenswear designer Nadege Vanhee will create the inaugural collection which will join the Spring/Summer 2027 Haute Couture Week at the start of next year, the French brand said.
The family-run clothes and leather-goods maker, renowned for its iconic handbags and scarves, is a powerhouse in the pret-a-porter business but had until now stayed clear of made-to-measure.
The company confirmed a report in fashion industry news service WWD which was the first to announce the January launch date.
Axel Dumas, executive chairman of the group, had indicated the company's interest in the haute couture last year, which is bought by an elite clientele of VIPs, celebrities and royalty.
"What interests us about haute couture is the craftsmanship. We already have an exceptionally high level of expertise and incredible quality leather, and we thought, 'Why not?'" he said in February 2025.
Thursday was the last of four days of the Autumn-Winter Couture Week in Paris, featuring shows by Dutch designer Peet Dullaert and Syria's Rami Al Ali.
The luxury sector as a whole has been hit by weaker Chinese demand and disruption caused by war in the Middle East sparked by US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. LVMH
French luxury giants LVMH, Kering and Hermes have all reported lower sales in the first half of the year.
Shares in Hermes are down 27 percent in the last six months.
