Style Etc.
DESIGNER C.V.
Carolina Herrera
How did María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño, of Venezuela, become one of the great American designers? Take a look at her résumé. María Carolina marries Reinaldo Herrera, the fifth Marqués of Torre Casa, and they start to shake up the New York social scene.
1968
Late one night at Studio 54, Herrera gives Andy Warhol her gold-and-diamond Van Cleef & Arpels minaudière in exchange for a portrait sitting.
1979 1981
Herrera makes the International Best Dressed List. Later, Vogue editor Diana Vreeland suggests a fashion line: “Try daytime-to-evening!”
After designing Caroline Kennedy’s wedding dress, Herrera introduces her bridal collection.
1987 The first Carolina Herrera boutique opens in New York.
1995
Launches her first fragrance, named after herself. (She will go on to release 75 more.)
Spanish fragrance and fashion company Puig acquires Herrera’s business.
With husband Reinaldo at a wedding
Herrera launches a “red carpet” collection in her atelier, with made-to-order gowns for actresses— particularly the nominated kind.
Council of Fashion Designers of America (and Beyoncé) awards Herrera with Womenswear Designer of the Year honors.
2014 2016
2015
Herrera weighs in on the culture of street style. “If you look at the people walking around New York at this moment, it is horrendous. I have never seen people so badly dressed in my life!”
Becomes the first designer to show at New York’s Frick Collection museum
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DEPARTURES.COM
2001
2010
Daughter Carolina Herrera de Báez (on right) joins the company as creative director of fragrances. Later, daughter Patricia joins as special-projects director.
2004
The more casual CH line launches with accessories and clothing for men and women.
Renée Zellweger wins an Oscar wearing Herrera.
19th-century Spanish painter Francisco Goya inspires the designer’s spring bridal collection.
illustration by
K I R S T E N U LV E
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: COURTESY CAROLINA HERRERA; RON GALELLA/WIREIMAGE; © 2016 THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, INC/ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK; COURTESY CAROLINA HERRERA; STEVE LISS/THE LIFE IMAGES COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY CAROLINA HERRERA; RON GALELLA, LTD/WIREIMAGE; COURTESY CAROLINA HERRERA (3); SGRANITZ/WIREIMAGE; COURTESY CAROLINA HERRERA (2); GIANNI DAGLI ORTI/THE ART ARCHIVE AT ART RESOURCE, N.Y.; MICHEL ARNAUD/CORBIS OUTLINE; COURTESY CAROLINA HERRERA; THE IMAGE BANK/GETTY IMAGES
BY JA S ON SH E E L E R
Herrera shows her first collection, at the Metropolitan Club in New York. Warhol attends.