On June 4, Hermès staged the second instalment of its Women Fall–Winter 2026 collection on a Los Angeles hilltop near the Getty, turning a classical, columned setting into a stage for a distinctly West Coast re‑interpretation of the house’s signature craft. The show matters because it signals Hermès’ deliberate shift toward a edgier, more relaxed aesthetic—and Hollywood took notice.
The arrival felt cinematic: black SUVs wound up the canyon to a Greco‑styled promontory overlooking the city, where guests gathered beneath towering columns to see artistic director Nadège Vanhée present the brand’s “Second Chapter.” The audience itself read like a fashion statement—young collectors in silk‑scarf prints, perforated leather, riding boots and a surprising abundance of tiny Kelly bags, often tied with silk scarves and doubled with charms.
Editors from London, Paris and New York mixed with Los Angeles stylists and a handful of celebrities—Kerry Washington, Julia Louis‑Dreyfus, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Lyonne and Keke Palmer—while Kathy Hilton circulated among the crowd. The vibe was unhurried: high‑value pieces worn with a casually cool, very L.A. ease.
What the clothes said
In the fading golden hour, the collection read like a study in contrasts. Soft leathers, suedes and silks appeared in head‑to‑toe monochrome looks—deep blacks and browns alongside pops of poppy red and unmistakably Californian hues such as buttery yellow and aqua. A strapless butter‑yellow dress with an egg‑shaped skirt paired with suede riding boots felt improbable on paper and striking in person. Supermodel Karen Elson returned to the runway in a fiery red version of that silhouette.
There were also leather harnesses worn as tops over long, sheer chiffon skirts, leather suits and dancer‑inspired pieces presented with minimal hair and makeup. The overall effect bridged downtown L.A. clubwear and uptown refinement—an aesthetic that could be worn at a Hollywood summer party as easily as on Park Avenue.
Vanhée framed the collection as a balance between restraint and release, extending Hermès’ reputation for impeccable leatherwork into fluid, flou silhouettes and movement-driven designs.
Fast takeaways
- Location: A Getty‑adjacent hilltop near Hotel Bel‑Air provided a classical backdrop that contrasted with the collection’s L.A. informality.
- Aesthetic: Leather and silk meet airy chiffon; monochrome dressing punctuated by California colors and posh‑punk elements.
- Guests: Industry editors, stylists and a selective roster of celebrities signaled Hollywood’s growing appetite for the house’s refreshed direction.
- Trend impact: Expect practical translations—flat riding boots, leather shorts and mini Kellys—to surface across summer events and celebrity street style.
The show’s presentation also broke a few fashion norms. Rather than a brief, stiff designer bow, Vanhée jogged the length of the runway at the finale, energetic and visibly present in a gesture that felt more Californian than Parisian.
Outside, the evening devolved into a typically L.A. traffic scene: narrow roads clogged with SUVs, leaving some guests stranded in long queues—reports ranged up to two hours. The snag was a reminder that even a carefully curated spectacle can collide with the practicalities of the city.
Strategically, the event underlines Hermès’ intent to court a younger, fashion‑forward audience without abandoning its heritage craftsmanship. By blending rugged equestrian references with delicate, flowing pieces, the house is positioning itself to remain relevant to both long‑time clients and a new cohort of buyers who prize authenticity delivered with a lived‑in ease.
If this collection is any indication, Hermès’ next season may be measured less by couture polish and more by versatility: pieces designed to move from a sunset rooftop show to a late‑night concert or a quiet Park Avenue appointment with equal grace. Watch for those leather‑and‑chiffon pairings to filter into wardrobes and social feeds this summer.
