The American fashion house Carolina Herrera celebrated its 45th anniversary on Monday at New York Fashion Week with a new collection from creative director Wes Gordon, who stayed true to the brand's signature style.
Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera handed the reins to Gordon in 2018 after 37 years leading her own namesake label. The two have kept a close relationship that is visible at every show, when Gordon stops to greet and embrace the woman who mentored him.
For the spring-summer 2027 collection, Gordon paid tribute to Herrera by featuring a portrait of the designer made by pop art icon Andy Warhol in 1979. The image appeared in the show's promotional materials and was the centerpiece of a short dress and a handbag.
The brand said Warhol documented many of the moments the two shared, photographing Herrera at dinners, galas and parties, as well as her fashion shows, including her first presentation at the Metropolitan Club in 1981.
A hallmark of elegance
The 45th anniversary marks that very show at the exclusive club near Central Park, a debut that was pushed forward with the encouragement of fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who convinced the Venezuelan socialite to pursue fashion and create a collection.
Gordon renewed the brand's elegant, feminine identity with pencil skirt and blouse combinations, or trousers and blouses with a defined waist, along with dresses that were more fitted for daytime and given exaggerated volume for evening.
He also gave new twists to Herrera's signature floral and polka-dot prints, and added fine-lined check patterns and lace fabrics to the mix.
Rhinestone embellishment appeared on voluminous evening gowns in metallic tones, while it was also used on accessories such as earrings and necklaces in bright colors for more casual looks.
The show was closed by supermodel Karlie Kloss, a muse for the brand and the face of its Good Girl perfume, which is marking a decade since its launch. Kloss wore a flowing black dress with an indigo bow at the waist.
A Lincoln Center setting
The show took place at the New York City Ballet's home at Lincoln Center, the city's largest cultural complex. Its spacious hall was decorated for the occasion with a huge garden of yellow tulips flanked by benches filled with celebrities.
The front row included actresses Pamela Anderson, Natalia Dyer and Lucy Hale, singer Sebastian Yatra, businesswoman Martha Stewart and presenter Alexa Chung, among a glamorous crowd, many of whom wore Herrera designs.
Continued expansion
The brand continues to grow. It recently opened a flagship store in Miami's Design District, its sixth store in the United States.
