By Chevaun Jackson
One word comes to mind when looking at the collection of Carolina Herrera: Variety. Inspired by “women with alluring confidence and instinctive elegance,” Carolina Herrera’s palette is never dull. The colors range from black to red, chocolate to Prussian blue. The patterns include brush stroke, linear etching, floral and mosaic. Even the fabrics of the pieces vary from jackets of tweed and wool to taffeta shirts and silk dresses—not to mention the camel and fox furs of the scarves and coats. Ruffles and embroidered silks add dimension and volume to select pieces, as do looks that extend the shoulder line and voluminous sleeves—free flowing or puffed. Her jackets with their fur scarves and accessories—classic hats and gloves of earlier worlds and times— are gorgeous.
As always Carolina Herrera excels in her dresses and gowns. Their cuts range from wide spaghetti straps to strapless, and within this collection the one-shoulder look returns. The elegance of the dresses and gowns is emphasized by the simple, smoky eyes of the models that are not overdone in high dramatic fashion norm. And the simple and realistic heels (lower than 4 inches, gasp!) maintain the focus on the clothes and not how the model is able to walk the runway.
There are too many stunning pieces to choose just one. The collection blends well; there is a seemless, unforced transition from one look to another. The first piece, a chocolate sable and faille brush stroke print jacket with grey wool wide leg pinstripe pant and white cotton shirt, is vastly far from the last, a black silk gazaar faille draped strapless gown, but getting there was a pleasant and smooth ride. This being my first formal introduction to Carolina Herrera there is only one thing I can say: I am a believer.