STYLE ICON
‘I love Carolina Herrera’
ARCHANA SUBRAMANIAM
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Her name is a brand that not only created ripples in the fashion industry but has also managed to stay on top for more than a decade. An exclusive e-mail interview with fashion designer Carolina Herrera.
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“I love the idea of elegance and intricacy, but the intricacy must appear as simplicity.”
Impeccable style: (Left) Carolina Herrera (right) with her daughter.
Venezuelan aristocrat Carolina Herrera’s foray into the fashion industry started as early as in 1981 at the prompting of fashion legend Diana Vreeland. Her creativity knew no boundaries and very soon she expanded into bridal collections by 1987
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She also opened her flagship store on Madison Avenue in 2000 and went ahead to establish a diffusion line under the name CH — Carolina Herrera — in 2002, which includes fragrances, menswear, handbags, and shoes. This label is known for ageless ensembles for celebrities who crave for a touch of class. Tweedy skirt-suits, crisp white blouses, fitted jackets, prim cocktail frocks, and embellished evening gowns have kept this glamorous label — and its designer — at the top of the heap for 17 years now. Hear Carolina unravel herself.
Your entry into the world of fashion has been much talked about but what’s your own take on it?
It was a fabulous and very interesting moment. It was a fun adventure that has come to have a fantastic end… Actually it hasn’t ended yet.
Who really sets the global trend?
I can’t really tell you who sets it but I can tell you “Just be yourself and wear what makes you look good”…
Some never-go-out-of-fashion trends and colours?
For me white shirts, classic line black cocktail dress, a pair of high heel shoes and a colourful coat.
Some lesser known factors that influence fashion? Like world politics, economy, environment, religion, issues …?
Obviously everything that surrounds us influences inspiration on every fashion design, not only this or that, but a global view of our society.
How do you perceive the Indian fashion industry…
I don’t know the Indian fashion industry well enough to have an opinion but I really think that with such richness on colours they have a great future.
Among all the people you have dressed who has carried it off the best and why?
I can’t point out any one person. Every woman has her own style, and each in their own way they look best for me.
Do you think comeback trends from the past will hamper creative challenges for a designer or help them recreate?
I think everyone should know what happened in the past, it teaches you what and how to do things, and also, what and how not…
When it comes to smell, how do you decide the fragrance of the season? Has your decision ever gone wrong?
Smell is like inspiration, it’s influenced by your memory, a feeling, a thought you want to transmit. I love all the fragrances I have created, each one was very special at that precise moment and each one had a unique personality.
What makes your clothing so appealing to any woman between 20 to 60 years?
Femininity, elegance and chic. I think that a woman has to feel beautiful and seductive in a subtle way in anything she wears, so probably my designs make all women feel this way, and I’m so happy about it!
Your journey of expansion from the U.S. to other continents
We started step by step, slowly but surely and are very confident on our work, trying to design for the nowadays woman, feminine, sophisticated and elegant. In 1981 I started with the Carolina Herrera New York ready-to-wear line and in 2001 I introduced CH Carolina Herrera, my lifestyle line. Both lines have boutiques and stores all over Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Actor Mariska Hargitay in a Carolina Herrera gown at the 2008 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Quick takes:
Designers who set you thinking…
YSL, Balenciaga, Karl Lagerfeld
In your wardrobe…
Plenty of Herrera and, for sure, a white shirt, a black skirt, small accessories and a pair of high heel Manolo Blahnik shoes
Forthcoming line of clothing…
Just launched a Children Collection, I love it!
What do you like designing best? Clothes, accessories or shoes/ bags…
Every item has its own difficulty and pleasure; they’re all so different… Bridal is fantastic because it’s a very beautiful moment for any woman.
Favourite colours…
Yellow, the colour of the sun
Favourite perfume…
Carolina Herrera, my first perfume
The ideal holiday…
At home with my husband, my four daughters, their husbands and all my grandchildren
Perfect design comes when…
There’s always one of this in each collection, it comes when thinking of men and women wearing your clothes.
Are you as an individual brand conscious?
Yes, I love Carolina Herrera and CH Carolina Herrera
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