For over 30 years, she has been the woman behind impeccably dressed men. The artistic director for Hermès reveals her travel must-haves, and what ladies lap up from the house’s men’s department

People have always made a fuss about you being a woman who designs menswear. What do you make of that?

I am always surprised. I talk about a sensibility and a feeling. I don&#39;t look at men with judgement or project my thoughts on them. It is not Superman I am dressing.

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Where do you draw inspiration from?

I travel a lot. [When I am] in big cities &ndash; like Hong Kong, Singapore and Paris &ndash; I get inspired by architecture, modern art, and the way each city is built. They give me energy and keep me passionate. And I think they reflect modernity in life.

Véronique Nichanian Hermes .png

Speaking of travel, the&nbsp;season is upon us. What are your essentials?

A black cashmere sweater, one or two dresses for outings with the husband at night, and my jeans.

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Other designers are increasingly talking about casual dressing. Has your approach to design changed at all?

Not at all. I&#39;ve designed pieces that are casual chic since the beginning. For a long time, my approach has been to create things that are casual yet sophisticated. This year, for the Spring/Summer collection, I began to include streetwear elements. Perhaps that is why people get the sense that I did something different.

&quot;My definition of chic is&nbsp;about the soul, heart and personality. It&#39;s the way you move, and about the age and the body.&quot;

What have been recurring themes in your work?

Freedom, passion, and the idea that everything is possible. I like casual things and leather &ndash; it helps that Herm&egrave;s is a leather house and everyone wants to work with us. In the end, I&#39;m not doing fashion. I&#39;m doing something that is more of style. It&#39;s a modern way of dressing a man. I hate the idea of consumption. I like the idea of keeping a quality item for a long time.

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What&#39;s your definition of chic then?

It&#39;s about the soul, heart and personality. It&#39;s the way you move, and about the age and the body. I like when people start mixing [different elements]. Many years ago, when Mick Jagger wore sneakers with a suit for his wedding, people were shocked. But now, it is normal.

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V&eacute;ronique Nichanian portrait photography&nbsp;Patrick Swirc All other photos courtesy of&nbsp;Herm&egrave;s.

Véronique Nichanian

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