Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2023 Recap

Carolina Herrera Spring-Summer 2023

By: Hailey Layne 

Creative Director Wes Gordon debuted Carolina Herrera’s 2022 Spring/Summer Collection in a show held at the Plaza Hotel during New York Fashion Week. Herrera’s brand launched with her first show in 1981. The look Herrera is most known for is the white button-down paired with a ball gown skirt; among those who adopted the unique style were members of the Kennedy family. When taking over as creative director in 2018, Wes Gordon sought to keep Herrera’s core style elements while making it more wearable for a younger generation. Harper’s Bazaar praised Gordon’s ability to know exactly where to place a cutout and how short is really too short. 

At first glance, the collection does not seem out of the ordinary with its pastels and florals for spring, but upon closer inspection, there is a whimsical darkness to it. It favors a grown-up Alice in Wonderland. While acknowledging the undeniable beauty and complexity of the collection, breaking it down into two elements reveals why the collection’s main contrast works so well.

The Florals 

In a classic nod to spring, Gordon relied heavily on floral prints. The Easter egg shades of powder blue and baby yellow formed a softer palette on several of the gowns. Gordon pulled floral inspiration from the classic novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. He paid tribute to Herrera’s signature femininity with voluminous sleeves, intricate belts, and ruching. 

The Stripes 

Black and white stripes interrupted the floral patterns. Gordon relied on different sized stripes to add dimension and break apart the spring colors. While Gordon utilized mostly horizontal stripes, the ruching was created in a way that gave a similar effect. The touches of black added depth for the spring collection. 

The smaller touches united the collection. The black cloche hats featuring a tulle-esque skirt around the brim were incorporated through the runway show. The accessories brought together the business element of stripes while still maintaining the whimsical feel. A perfect example of the harmony between the two sides of the collection was a belted floral trench coat. For the modern woman, duality and complexity are often overlooked, but Wes Gordon triumphed in showcasing how there is often more than meets the eye. 

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All pictures belong to their respective owners. Cover graphic by Emily Bone.