Hermès Fall/Winter’25 collection is winter dressing at its sharpest

One thing we Indians never shy away from is colour. We never subscribed to the idea that winter wardrobes should be dominated by greys, blacks, and navies. Even when the temperatures drop, we lean towards hues that radiate warmth—burnt oranges, deep reds, earthy ochres. Colours that hold their heat, no matter how chilly it gets. For us, fashion is all about making a statement—walking into a room and letting your clothes speak before you do. (Delhi’s red trench coats, I’m looking at you.)

What made Hermès’ Fall/Winter 2025 women’s collection feel particularly relevant is that it had room for both—the ones who find comfort in neutrals and the ones who lean into colour. It’s this very instinct to mix things up, to have fun, and to bend the rules without breaking them that defines the collection. Unveiled on a balmy June evening by the North Bund in Shanghai, the line—designed by Nadège Vanhee, the brand’s artistic director for women’s wear—gave us a fresh take on winter dressing.

The show’s setting was no accident. Designed in a temporary modular structure with pivoting panels, the venue was situated by the water, letting the glittering skyline of Lujiazui shine through in flashes. Shanghai, as a city, sits in constant dialogue between tradition and the future. So does this collection. The silhouettes are sleek in a very modern way. 

Take the poncho-style coats with modular linings, for instance. While the garment looks simple, the rich shades of maroon and orange, combined with the free-flowing nature of the fabric, add to the drama. And if you look at them, these pieces are also incredibly practical, adapting to movement and climate without sacrificing style. 

Then there was a look that stood out for how simple and confident it felt: A relaxed chocolate brown knit. This is the kind of classic that can never go wrong—easy to style and flattering on everyone. 

Another classic was the rich brown leather coat, belted at the waist. It is timeless, but still feels fresh with its quilted shoulders and high collar.

Then, there was the standout piece. The oversized cape-style coat in a rich, caramel brown. It’s plush and soft, almost blanket-like, but tailored just enough to sit perfectly on the shoulders. The high collar and asymmetric clasp detail give it structure. Underneath, there’s a fitted mini dress in a vibrant burnt orange and maroon chevron knit. The contrast between the snug dress and the generous cape hits that perfect balance. It looks like something you’d reach for on a cold night, and well, look high fashion (with zero effort).

These are the kind of outfits you’d expect to see on some of TV’s original fashion girls—Carrie Bradshaw, maybe, stomping through a New York winter in it with a cigarette and a clutch; or Rachel Green wearing it to work, making it look like something she just threw on. Even someone like Elaine Benes could’ve pulled it off. 

What tied the collection together was, of course, the braid motif—Hermès’ signature. It ran along coat panels, was woven into knits, or used as trim on collars and sleeves. Apart from this, the textures really stood out. You had smooth quilted leathers layered over soft knits, coats lined with removable printed silk panels, cord detailing on jackets, even weaves that looked like they belonged on a Parisian café chair—but somehow made perfect sense on outerwear. It all felt lived-in, but in the best possible way. Like the kind of clothes that look better the more you wear them.

The collection has a quiet kind of power to it that doesn’t need to prove anything. And it feels especially right for the time when power dressing is everywhere. But it’s not the outdated version of suits and shoulder pads anymore. It’s coming in the form of ease, confidence, and wearing things that work with your life. Women are leading across the board—at work, in culture, in conversations—and the clothes we wear are just catching up to that. Hermès FW25 gets that. It’s strong, without trying too hard. And that’s exactly what makes it stand out.

Images courtesy: Hermès

Photo credits: Filippo Fior & Feng Li
 

Also read: India takes center stage at Pharrell's Louis Vuitton’s SS26 show with Bijoy Jain and A R Rahman

Also read: Capris are back and cooler than you remember