Carolina Herrera (brand)

Summary

The Carolina Herrera brand is an epitome of elegance, sophistication, and timeless luxury in the world of fashion and beauty. Founded by the Venezuelan-American designer Carolina Herrera in 1980, the brand is celebrated for its refined aesthetic, characterized by modern femininity, bold yet graceful designs, and impeccable craftsmanship. Known for its exquisite couture, ready-to-wear collections, and signature fragrances like the iconic “Good Girl,” Carolina Herrera embodies a lifestyle of glamour and confidence. With a strong commitment to quality and innovation, the brand has become a global symbol of contemporary sophistication, appealing to those who value effortless style and enduring beauty.

Vision

Carolina Herrera’s vision over the past four decades has been to merge timeless sophistication with modern elegance, establishing herself as a beacon of American luxury fashion. Her designs are celebrated for their impeccable craftsmanship and aesthetic, which seamlessly blend the opulence of couture with the practical elegance of ready-to-wear fashion. This unique combination ensures that each piece not only makes a statement but also offers the wearer a touch of high fashion.

Herrera’s commitment to her vision is reflected in her meticulous attention to detail and dedication to creating garments that reflect both grace and functionality. Her collections are characterized by their clean lines, exquisite fabrics, and classic silhouettes, which appeal to a clientele that values both luxury and practicality. Through her work, Herrera has successfully crafted a luxury fashion brand that stands as a testament to enduring style and the art of sophisticated dressing.

Mission Statement

Carolina Herrera’s mission is to design and deliver an essence of timeless elegance and sophistication through her collections. Drawing from her rich background and early exposure to high fashion, Herrera’s goal has been to offer designs that combine luxurious craftsmanship with contemporary wearability. Her luxury fashion brand is dedicated to providing women with garments that are both classic and versatile, allowing them to radiate confidence and grace in any ambience.

Additionally, Herrera’s mission extends to maintaining a personal touch within the fashion industry. By focusing on the creative side of her fashion brand and partnering with Puig for business support, she ensures that her designs remain true to her vision of sleek, dramatic style. Her commitment to this company mission is reflected in her continuous evolution as a fashion designer while staying true to the timeless quality that has defined her work.

History

Born in Caracas in Venezuela Carolina Herrera’s grandmother introduced her to fashion.. taking the young girl to Balenciaga shows and gifting her beautiful clothes from Lanvin and Dior. In 1965 Herrera began her career as a publicist for Emilio Pucci’s boutique and moved to New York in 1980. A regular at Studio 54.. Herrera chilled with Mick and Bianca Jagger, Andy Warhol and Diana Vreeland who encouraged her to design a collection since she was admired for her dramatic style and elected to the International Best Dressed List.

Having made samples in Caracas.. Carolina Herrera launched her eponymous label at the age of forty-two and showcased it in Manhattan. Following the initial success she raised capital in Caracas for a runway show in 1982 and since presented ready to wear womenswear bi-annually at New York Fashion Week. Her illustrious clientele includes Michelle Obama- Duchess of Cadaval and Renée Zellweger. What most do not know however is that Herrera’s most famous client was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her name however did soar after she designed a white organza bridal gown with shamrock appliqués for the wedding of Kennedy Onassis’ daughter Caroline Kennedy in 1986.

In the late Eighties Puig — which owns Prada, Valentino and Comme des Garçons fragrance lines and fashion brands Paco Rabanne, Nina Ricci and Jean Paul Gaultier — licensed Carolina Herrera to develop a line of perfumes. In 1995 Puig acquired the fashion brand retaining her as Creative Director. “Puig is a family business. That gives you confidence” Herrera told WWD. “We understand each other very well. They’re very respectful of what I do, I’m in the creative side of this company. I’m not the business side. You ask me what is my business, I don’t have the slightest idea.”

Acclaimed for her ready-to-wear and bridal wear.. Herrera introduced diffusion line CH Carolina Herrera in 2001. Having launched her first boutique in 2000, Herrera since launched over eighteen boutiques worldwide with a retail presence in near three hundred stores.  In 2014 The Couture Council of the Museum at FIT honoured Carolina Herrera with Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center… kicking off the spring 2015 collections in New York. “Carolina truly is a legend. Her designs evolve and continue to grow yet they feel both timeless and contemporary” Ivanka Trump told Forbes. There was no stopping her! In 2016 Carolina Herrera released fragrance “Good Girl” with Karlie Kloss as the face of the fragrance.

After a successful thirty-seven years in the fashion business.. Herrera stepped down in 2018 and handed the creative reins of the fashion brand to Wes Gordon. And he continues to begin. Resort 2024 was a hit and described by Vogue as “Gordon has never shied away from a bold, colorful palette or exuberant prints; but showing in Rio gave him an excuse to go wild… I was struck by how perfectly the scene captured the essence of the Carolina Herrera woman: elegant, but strong, and ready to have a good time—no matter the elements.”

Awards and Recognition

Carolina Herrera is a New York-based fashion house recognized for creating beautifully crafted collections synonymous with impeccable style and bold elegance. In 2008 Herrera was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and “Womenswear Designer of the Year” in 2004. She is also a recipient of The International Center in New York’s Award of Excellence and Spain’s Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts, which was presented to her in 2002 by King Juan Carlos I.

What’s more, she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute in 1997. Carolina Herrera then received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement during the International Achievement Summit in New York City and The Fashion Group International’s Superstar Award which has also been awarded to industry stalwarts Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta and Nicolas Ghesquière. In 2014, she earned the 2014 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.

Products and Services

New York-based luxury brand Carolina Herrera’s product portfolio is celebrated for its elegant and sophisticated collections. The luxury fashion brand’s ready-to-wear features meticulously crafted garments that blend classic silhouettes with modern design, ensuring a timeless yet contemporary appeal. From tailored suits and exquisite evening gowns to chic daywear, each piece exemplifies Herrera’s signature style of refined simplicity and opulence.

In addition to ready-to-wear, Carolina Herrera’s portfolio includes bridal wear that is celebrated for its grandeur and romanticism. Her bridal collections often feature intricate details and luxurious fabrics, catering to those seeking a statement wedding gown. The luxury fashion brand also offers a selection of handbags and shoes, eyewear and fragrance, each reflecting the same level of sophistication and elegance as the couture and ready to wear. These collections collectively uphold Herrera’s commitment to providing a complete luxury experience, seamlessly integrating with the refined lifestyle of her clientele.

Key Team

• Founder Carolina Herrera
• President Emilie Rubinfeld
• Creative Director Wes Gordon

References

1. Official website Carolina Herrera
2. Tranquility amid success The New York Times
3. Carolina Herrera Resort 2024 Vogue
4. How Carolina Herrera turned being chic into big business CNN
5. LinkedIn account of Carolina Herrera LinkedIn
6. Carolina Herrera’s Quiet Path to Power WWD
7. The Couture Council Of The Museum At FIT Honors Carolina Herrera, Raises Close To $1 Million Forbes
8. Carolina Herrera: A Profile Vogue
9. Facebook account of Carolina Herrera Facebook
10. A profile of Puig Modeas
11. Twitter account of Carolina Herrera Twitter
12. Carolina Herrera is an Honorary Superstar Elle
13. Instagram account of Carolina Herrera Instagram
14. From Venezuela to Seventh Avenue, Carolina Herrera’s Fashions Cast a Long Shadow People
15. Youtube channel of Carolina Herrera Youtube
16. My Secret Life: Carolina Herrera, fashion designer, 71 Independent
17. Wiki page of Carolina Herrera Wikipedia
18. Carolina Herrera Hosts Second Annual Fundraising Event for the FundaHigado America Foundation World Red Eye
19. Carolina Herrera Fall 2021 RTW Vogue
20. The Couture Council to Honor Carolina Herrera WWD