Hermès menswear designer Nichanian takes final bow after 37 years

PARIS (AP) — With Paris Fashion Week menswear heading into its final weekend, Hermès marked a transition Saturday as Véronique Nichanian presented her final men’s collection after 37 years leading the house’s menswear and then stepped out to acknowledge a standing ovation.

The Fall-Winter 2026 show was staged at the Palais Brongniart, the former Paris stock exchange.

The front row blended Hermès executives with a broader-than-usual mix of musicians, actors and designers.

Singer Usher was seen ahead of the show with Hermès executive chairman Axel Dumas. Rapper Travis Scott, actors James McAvoy and Chace Crawford, and designer Paul Smith were among those attending.

On the runway, Nichanian delivered the kind of material-driven, understated wardrobe that has long defined Hermès men’s clothing.

Models wore silk turtlenecks paired with leather trousers in a restrained palette of navy, black and taupe.

Overcoats were built with leather patchwork elements and shearling linings, leaning into warmth and texture without showy excess.

Several looks drew directly from earlier seasons, with archival pieces incorporated into the lineup.

Among them were a navy leather suit with topstitched pinstripes first shown in 2003 and a mocha calfskin jumpsuit from 1991.

Color arrived in controlled flashes, with orange and yellow jackets interrupting the darker tones.

One of the most striking pieces was a glossy khaki crocodile-skin suit, a statement look that stood apart from the quieter mix of leather, silk and tailored outerwear.

Hermès announced in October that London-based designer Grace Wales Bonner will succeed Nichanian.

Wales Bonner, founder of her eponymous label, is scheduled to present her first Hermès menswear collection next January.

Hermès has said she will become the first Black woman to lead a major fashion house.

Nichanian will remain with Hermès overseeing men’s accessories and silk, the company has said, as the brand’s menswear enters a new chapter.

Models wear creations as part of the Hermes Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's collection presented in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Models wear creations as part of the Hermes Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's collection presented in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Designer Veronique Nichanian accepts applause after the Hermes Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's collection presented in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Designer Veronique Nichanian accepts applause after the Hermes Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's collection presented in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Designer Veronique Nichanian accepts applause after the Hermes Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's collection presented in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

DENVER (AP) — A Frontier Airlines plane hit and killed a pedestrian on the runway of the Denver International Airport during takeoff, airport authorities said, sparking an engine fire and forcing passengers to evacuate.

The plane, on route from Denver to Los Angeles International Airport, “reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday," the airport's official X account wrote.

A spokesperson for the airport said the pedestrian, who jumped a perimeter fence, has died. They said the unidentified person was hit two minutes after entering the airport. The person is not believed to be an airport employee.

“We're stopping on the runway,” the pilot tells the control tower according to the site ATC.com. “We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.”

The pilot tells the air traffic controller they have “231 souls” on board and that an “individual was walking across the runway.”

The air traffic controller responds that they are “rolling the trucks now" before the pilot tells the tower they “have smoke in the aircraft. We are going to evacuate on the runway.”

Frontier Airlines said in a statement flight 4345 was the one involved in the collision and that “smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff.” It was not clear whether the smoke was linked to the crash with the pedestrian.

“The Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members,” the airline said. “We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities.”

Passengers were then evacuated via slides and the emergency crew bused them to the terminal. The airport spokesperson said 12 passengers suffered minor injuries and five were taken to local hospitals.

Denver Airport said the National Transportation Safety Board had been notified and that runway 17L, where the incident took place, will remain closed while an investigation is conducted. It is expected to open later today.

The pedestrian death came a day after a Delta Air Lines employee was killed while on the job at the Orlando International Airport. In a statement, the airline said the employee was killed Thursday night without providing details of the incident nor the name of the employee.

“We are focused on extending our full support to family and taking care of our Orlando team during this difficult time,” the airline said. "We are working with local authorities as a full investigation gets underway to determine what occurred.”

FILE - A Frontier Airlines jetliner taxis down a runway for take off from Denver International airport on Nov. 25, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)