Hermès Writes a New Chapter in Shanghai

As the sun dipped below Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, Hermès unveiled the second installment of its Fall‑Winter 2025 collection—aptly named “Chapter Two”—along the shimmering Huangpu River. Pivoting orange panels on the runway spun open, revealing the Lujiazui skyline and framing an immersive scene of modern elegance and urban energy.

An Urban Stage in Motion

Located at North Bund Bay, the ephemeral modular set featured floor‑to‑ceiling shutters that opened in tempo with each model’s stride—serving as a metaphor for a woman in constant motion and transformation.

Nadège Vanhée’s Cosmopolitan Explorer

Artistic Director Nadège Vanhée continued her “Chapter Two” narrative, first introduced in Paris, evolving it into a story of a youthful, cosmopolitan explorer. Infused with Shanghai’s vibrant allure, the collection balances the grit of the metropolis with Hermès’s refined equestrian legacy.

Looks were haute and practical—leather micro‑shorts, fingerless gloves, windbreaker‑jeans hybrids, headphones slung casually around necks, and bright sweaters tied at waists. Silk foulards and Kelly bags—strapped cross‑body or belted high—echoed the Birkin origin story: function meets luxury.

In contrast to Chapter One’s midnight tones with citrus accents, Shanghai brought a palette of rich ochre, burnt orange, dusk blue, and dusky reds. A tapestry of leather, nylon, cozy shearling, and metallic‑embellished riding boots delivered layered textures with urban flair.

Equestrian Heritage & Braiding

The timeless equestrian braid returned as a central motif—woven into silk linings, leather trims, and echoed in braided hairstyles—paying homage to Hermès’s roots as a harness maker since 1837. Vanhée described braid-work as a metaphor for “weaving together different cultural influences,” a tribute to craft and global femininity.