Hermès Resort 2026: A Dialogue Between Heritage and Innovation in Shanghai
For the second time in its 188-year history, Hermès left its homeland to present a new collection outside of France.
For only the second time in its 188-year history, Hermès ventured beyond its native France to unveil a new collection abroad. The chosen stage was Shanghai—a city where ancient tradition and futuristic ambition collide—a fitting backdrop for the house’s elegant paradox: the merging of its equestrian roots with a spirit of modernity.
From the North Bund Bay—once a historic port, now part of Shanghai’s thriving financial district—Hermès presented the second chapter of its Fall/Winter 2025 women’s collection. Set within a temporary modular structure facing the Huangpu River, the show bridged past and present with quiet confidence.
Following its Fall/Winter 2024 show in New York, the house selected another global city to echo its evolving vision: a place where historical legacy and contemporary vitality converge. Shanghai, where centuries-old temples rise alongside glass towers, embodies this duality. It is precisely this balance—between equestrian tradition and forward-thinking elegance—that Hermès sought to explore this season.
As the first model stepped onto the runway, the panels of the structure dramatically spun to reveal the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui—Shanghai’s financial heart and home to architectural icons like the Shanghai Tower. Illuminated by vibrant lights, the scene radiated the pulse of the metropolis.
This collection was inspired by a woman who is both curious and cosmopolitan—drawn to the interplay of heritage and innovation, functionality and grace. Hermès brought this vision to life through silhouettes that were both versatile and refined. House classics were reimagined by blending structure, practicality, colour and print into fresh compositions. Modular designs took centre stage, allowing garments to move fluidly with the demands of everyday life.
Signature pieces such as equestrian blankets, ponchos, and flowing coats were transformed in double-faced cashmere, lined with Dressage Tressage panels. Zips and closures—both functional and decorative—underscored the collection’s adaptability to the pace of city living.
At the heart of the collection lay the braid: a timeless emblem of the Maison, reinterpreted with contemporary flair. It threaded its way through the designs, alongside a sportier, more organic aesthetic. The house’s exceptional craftsmanship shone through in quilted leathers, intricately braided knits, and cord details that traced collars and seams with subtle precision.