by NEW YORK — Carolina Herrera is a brand synonymous with elegance and class, and in this fall/winter debut the brand has pushed the boundaries of drama, romance and grandeur – while showing restraint when necessary.
In the shimmering grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York, creative director Wes Gordon unveiled a collection inspired by themes of elegance and opulence on Monday.
The show opened with “I Say a Little Prayer for You” and a slew of romantic songs served as the backdrop for the opening dress – a strapless, structured, black and white satin mini dress that means a regal and uncomplicated yet sublime look .
Gordon’s signature Herrera aesthetic was showcased in a yellow tulle gown with a tiered skirt that bouncy as the model strutted around the ballroom. Another look that added drama and intrigue was once again a tiered black and white tulle dress – part of the nylon tulle covered the model’s face, adding mystery to the look.
Some of the most stunning looks have been inspired by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who was recently given a modern twist in the film Corsage. One model wore a chunky pearl necklace with a full length buttoned black silk dress with gold embroidery. Another look featured a Cinderella square-neck dress in lilac satin with touches of black tulle and matching lilac pumps.
“I wanted to create pieces that are emotional – fabrics that you touch and really challenge the factories we work with to create something extraordinary,” said Gordon.
Celebrities present at the show included Kelsea Ballerini, Rachel Zoe, Maddie Ziegler and Julianne Hough. Also present in the front row were the brand’s creator, Carolina Herrera herself, and Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.
Gordon delivered a variety of looks ranging from embroidered pink mini dresses to oversized colour-block dresses with large peplums and chunky belts. The line also included a plethora of floral and stripe print dresses – all playing with neckline silhouettes, sleeves and length.
The brightness of the colors on the show was really necessary to bring joy back into the world, Gordon said. The brand recently pledged that it will match all donations received by the Red Cross through its Heart for Hope program by next week to support the aftermath of the earthquake that recently devastated Turkey and Syria.
“Even though we’ve gone almost numb from seeing a barrage of just horrible things over the past decade, this one is just incredible — so heartbreaking,” Gordon said. “It’s a moment that all of us around the world need to come together, do what we can to help.”
