End of the Carolina Herrera Era

Monday evening Carolina Herrera took her final bow as Creative Director of her fashion brand. She is NOT retiring. She is becoming Global Brand Ambassador (ie she can do whatever the hell she wants).

CH rather inauspiciously began her line in 1980. She was first viewed as a dilletante, a well-dressed social butterfly without the stamina to head a fashion house. She has proven naysayers wrong many times over. The line is valued for its elegant but approachable take on fashion— clothes women can really wear, or aspire to. Full disclosure: her perfume "Carolina Herrera" is my absolute favorite.

At 79 Carolina has really nothing to prove. There is no question she won't retain a strong interest in the company, but when CH says she is turning the reins over to Wes Gordon as her successor, no one doubts she means it.

With Wes Gordon

Carolina is yet another departing the scene for various reasons. From Oscar de la Renta's death to Donna Karan (changing horses) to Ralph Lauren (gradually stepping back) to Diane von Furstenburg (stepping down), the "old guard" are leaving. As they go so does a certainty in fashion, a refinement and elegance we knew to expect. With the exception of Ralph Lauren the labels continue without their namesakes (and with varying degrees of success).

I have a feeling Carolina Herrera the company will be okay. Wes Gordon is a young designer with an "old soul". His past work would seem to honor Carolina's, and he has been collaborating with her since last spring. Industry scuttlebutt has noted a contentious two years at the company as CH rather dug in her lovely heels over changes initiated by the parent company, Puig. Bravo, Mrs. Herrera. As tough as you are beautiful. And buena serte!

Here are some looks from that last collection for Fall 2018: