Hermès Reports Strong Q3 2025 Financials Amid Historic Leadership Changes and Haute Couture Ambitions

Hermès has demonstrated remarkable resilience and significant financial strength, concluding the third quarter of 2025 with stellar results. The luxury powerhouse registered a total turnover of 3.9 billion euros. Crucially, this figure translates to a robust 9% growth rate when calculated at comparable exchange rates compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. This impressive performance is particularly noteworthy as it runs counter to the widespread economic turbulence currently affecting the broader luxury goods market. This success validates Hermès' enduring business model, which steadfastly adheres to a philosophy centered on rarity and the highest levels of craftsmanship, rather than chasing aggressive increases in sales volume.

The core engine driving this consistent stability remains the powerful leather goods division, a traditional stronghold for the brand. This segment alone reported an impressive growth rate of 8.1%. The sustained and unwavering global demand for the House's most iconic creations, specifically the highly coveted Birkin and Kelly bags, continues to serve as the fundamental basis for Hermès’ financial well-being. To ensure the continuity of its production pace and to safeguard its unique artisanal expertise for future generations, Hermès has strategically expanded its manufacturing infrastructure. This expansion includes the recent opening of its 25th specialized workshop, located in L’Isle-d’Espagnac, France, a move that reinforces the message that their exclusive products are the result of painstaking, dedicated hand labor.

In parallel with these strong financial indicators, Hermès has announced a significant and historic personnel change affecting its menswear line. Grace Wales Bonner has been officially named the new Creative Director of Men’s Ready-to-Wear. This appointment marks a groundbreaking moment in high fashion: Ms. Wales Bonner is set to become the first Black woman to hold the top design position at a major, established European fashion house.

Wales Bonner steps into the role previously held by Véronique Nichanian, a designer who dedicated an extraordinary 37 years to shaping the Hermès menswear aesthetic. Nichanian's final collection under her tenure is scheduled for presentation in January 2026. The fashion world will then eagerly await Wales Bonner’s debut collection, which is slated to hit the runway in January 2027. Wales Bonner is renowned for her sophisticated design approach, which skillfully blends precise, traditional tailoring with rich cultural narratives derived from her British-Jamaican heritage. Her selection signals the House’s commitment to thoughtful evolution. Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the General Artistic Director, commented that her inherent curiosity and distinctly modern perspective are expected to complement the revered legacy of the House seamlessly.

Beyond immediate operational and creative transitions, Hermès is actively moving forward with ambitious long-term plans: a major foray into the highly exclusive sector of haute couture. This strategic undertaking represents a significant elevation of the brand’s creative scope and market positioning. The launch of Hermès’ inaugural haute couture collection is currently anticipated to occur in 2027, further cementing its status at the apex of global luxury fashion.