Nadège Vanhée-Cybulski sent a hastened stride of models down the catwalk Saturday afternoon in Paris. In languid, moveable, yet structured silhouettes, Hermès’ latest for fall made a foray on clothing outside the equestrian – shapes that translated seamlessly to standing house codes, but never hedged by the stables, let alone riding.

 

‘It’s really about how do you translate classicism and sophistication and chic into the idea of a woman really assuming her femininity,” Vanhée-Cybulski asked Vogue’s, Sarah Mower of her Fall/Winter outing. “The fact that sex is okay—it’s not something to be ashamed of.”

 

And that was the story she told in some belted silk knit micro shorts, truncated onesies, zipped fitted jumpsuits tailored from wool gabardine and cinched at the waist. Sheer paneling plotted bare chests and later teased delicately in the length of a flared skirt – offering some frisson to an otherwise staid Hermès woman. Tender, opaque leathers, hard clutched Kellys, storied Trésor de Médor motifs, and the potent, authentic house outerwear, mapped faultlessly to the length of each torso, were sent out under the hurried step of a square-toed, calf-clung boot – turning each model into a coryphée all her own. 

 

With each walk the runway became less and less pristine, every step leaving a memorable and impactful print in its place. As the show notes read: “Her willowy stride follows a path that could never be undone. Not today. Not ever.” Astride with the pulse of Vanhée-Cybulski’s melodic catwalk track, her wardrobe came alive to tell a line of faultless, powerful dressing – one that can rap with sensuality, while remaining very much within the house fold. 

 

So even as a ballerina, an equestrian, a countrywoman, or a city dweller, the Hermès woman is one of impact and conviction. She has a place to be and the clothes to take her there.

 

See every look from the Fall/Winter 2022 show below.