Carolina Herrera Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection: A Fresh Take on Timeless Elegance

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Carolina Herrera's Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection was a vibrant celebration of colour, shape, and timeless sophistication. Creative director Wes Gordon, who has been at the helm since 2019, leaned into the brand's iconic heritage while injecting a youthful, contemporary energy that has become his signature. The show, held at the 28 Liberty Street venue in New York, was a visual feast, where bright hues, polka dots, and opulent silhouettes came together in a stunning display of modern femininity.

The atmosphere was set with a nod to the legendary Georgia O’Keeffe—each cherry-red seat featured a pink rose and a quote from the artist: “I found that I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say in any other way—things that I had no words for.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulated Gordon's approach to the collection, where colour and shape did the talking.

The collection was a masterclass in blending tradition with innovation. Gordon paid homage to the house’s signature styles from the 1980s, particularly through his use of bright yellow and playful polka dots. These elements, long associated with the Carolina Herrera brand, were reimagined with a fresh, youthful twist. The runway was graced by an array of stretch-jersey dresses that were both comfort-forward and elegant. Whether it was a midi dress with a knotted neckline or a floral halter style that echoed swimwear, these pieces embodied an ease of wear that felt new to the brand.

Near the end of the show, a series of stretch-jersey dresses captivated the audience. These dresses, whether midi-length with a knotted neckline or long with a plunging V, exuded ease and elegance. One floral halter style even hinted at swimwear, underscoring the comfort and versatility of the collection. The boxy black "boyfriend" jacket, so oversized that it almost obscured the white shorts underneath, played with proportions in a way that felt both elevated and casual. Embroidered single-breasted, collarless jackets paired with capri pants added a playful edge to Gordon’s tailoring, showcasing his ability to blend classic and contemporary styles.

Yet, despite these modern touches, Gordon did not stray far from the brand's well-bred roots. The venue itself, with its Noguchi sunken garden and Jean Dubuffet trees, was a reminder of the brand’s commitment to refined elegance. Gordon honored Carolina Herrera's codes with pieces like the extravagant sleeve on a black cotton one-sleeve dress and a variety of polka-dotted creations, including a crocheted minidress and a compact knit bandeau top with a matching tube skirt. These were clothes designed for a range of occasions, from everyday wear to the most glamorous of events.

The collection reached its crescendo with a show-stopping ball gown—a strapless, black-on-white polka-dotted number adorned with ruffles at the drop waist and a full, floor-sweeping skirt. "I was chasing the wow," Gordon admitted backstage, and with this dress, he certainly delivered.

As the lights dimmed and the show came to a close, it was clear that Wes Gordon had once again successfully blended the old with the new, crafting a collection that was as much a nod to Carolina Herrera's storied past as it was a look toward its bright future.