Wes Gordon, at the helm of Carolina Herrera, unveiled his Spring/Summer 2025 collection at Liberty Place, offering a refreshing take on modern glamour and a much-needed dose of optimism. The collection, showcased against the backdrop of Isamu Noguchi’s iconic Sunken Garden installation, was a tightly edited affair. Gordon, known for his expansive color palettes, surprised with a concise selection of six hues, emphasizing graphic shapes and vibrant floral motifs.
The show opened with a striking black and white theme, a nod to the packaging of the debut Carolina Herrera fragrance from 1997. This graphic playfulness soon gave way to a burst of color, with lipstick red, vibrant pink, taxicab yellow, and a captivating blue dubbed “delphinium” taking center stage.
Gordon’s signature tailoring was evident in the sharp silhouettes and confident cuts. Capri pants, emerging as a key trend, were given the Herrera treatment, paired with elongated black blazers adorned with intricate white paisley raffia, beading, and sequins. A fresh silhouette emerged, featuring a high-waisted, front-dipped cut, best exemplified by sleek black shorts paired with the quintessential crisp white Herrera shirt, offering a contemporary take on the classic suit.
Floral elements were omnipresent, from the bold, handcrafted silk flowers embellishing a stunning black top with a statement black rose to the delicate blooms adorning sleek chignons. The collection exuded an air of effortless sophistication, with knit skirt sets accented by floral embroidery and lace details, echoing the lingerie trend. Draped jersey dresses in a cheerful pink hue and classic tailoring in solid colors and houndstooth checks spoke to the brand’s growing appeal for versatile wardrobe staples.
As always, Gordon delivered show-stopping moments. An architectural black and white polka dot ball gown evoked a touch of 1980s drama, while a blue silk faille hourglass gown with a floating crinoline silhouette captivated the audience. A strapless pink gown, a cascade of floral embellishments, was designed to resemble “someone dumped a wheelbarrow of blossoms” on it, as Gordon playfully described it.
©Photo: Carolina Herrera