The Hermès runway this season was the celebration of the end of a storied chapter. Véronique Nichanian, the House’s menswear creative director for the last 37 years, closed her tenure with the a collection that felt like a joyous affirmation of everything she has built.

As always, the show carried the unmistakable quiet confidence of an Hermès collection. The pieces leaned into the kind of wearable luxury that the House has always done best; championing designs that feel engineered to last, to travel, to be worn again and again, to become personal relics rather than seasonal purchases.

Under Nichanian’s eye, the Hermès man has long been defined by clarity and restraint, but this farewell was also full of spirited moments. The designs were grounded in clean lines and classic silhouettes, but punctuated by the unexpected: a hint of coral pink peering out from the lining of a jacket, a top-handle bag in an arrestingly vibrant shade of red, and simple sweaters redefined by interesting patterns.

The collection was also unified by a vintage aviator theme, with shearling bombers and leather caps (complete with earflaps) conjuring the romance of travel. At the same time, structured coats with stand-up buckle collars recalled a retro pilot’s uniform, built to withstand wind and altitude, but all with that sumptuous Hermès touch.

It was only fitting that, at the end of the show, Hermès turned the spotlight on Nichanian herself. Clips played of her taking bows across her three-decade reign, and friends and gathered in Paris for the farewell, including Sir Paul Smith, who has known the designer for nearly four decades. A heartfelt tribute to a designer whose work has shaped the language of luxury for an entire generation.

Soon, Nichanian's legacy will be carried on by British designer Wales Bonner, who will present her first collection for the House in January 2027.