On a balmy June evening by Shanghai’s shimmering North Bund Bay, Hermès staged a show that was anything but predictable. It was a thoughtful dialogue between fashion, architecture, and the pulse of a city straddling tradition and tomorrow. Against the backdrop of Lujiazui’s neon-lit skyline and the reflective flow of the Huangpu River, the French Maison revealed the second chapter of its Women’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection, helmed by Nadège Vanhée, the brand’s visionary Artistic Director of Women’s Ready-to-Wear.
The collection, titled ‘Au Galop!,’ channels a modern, cosmopolitan spirit. Think of a poised urban explorer whose wardrobe balances rugged functionality with sleek sophistication. Here, the familiar Hermès braid, an iconic nod to the house’s equestrian roots, resurfaces with fresh energy. Inspired by the asymmetrical graphics of the Dressage Tressage silk carré, it’s a symbol of cultural connection and craftsmanship reimagined through a contemporary lens.
Fashion at Hermès is rarely static, and this season is no exception. The collection embraces modularity with clothes designed to move and adapt seamlessly to city life with zips, folds, and panels that pivot effortlessly. Classic equestrian motifs meet unexpected textures: quilted leathers, cord embellishments reminiscent of French bistro chairs, and double-faced cashmere ponchos that can be layered or stripped back depending on the occasion.
The color story grounds the collection in the natural world with a rich palette that balances earthy browns and equestrian-inspired tones with bursts of warm reds, fiery oranges, and soft lilacs. This careful balance mirrors the Shanghai setting itself, where past and future collide in vivid contrast.
Beyond the clothes, the show was a full sensory experience. After the last model disappeared, North Bund Bay transformed into a vibrant celebration, complete with surprise music and an installation exploring color as a feeling, a mood, and a sensory journey.
Hermès’ Fall-Winter 2025 Women’s collection embodies a lifestyle that respects heritage while embracing innovation, crafting a new narrative for the modern woman on the move.
