NYFW: Carolina Herrera, Winter 2025
If life can be compared to a garden, as suggested in the classic film Being There (1979), Wes Gordon seems to have found the perfect metaphor for his new collection at Carolina Herrera. In his seventh year at the helm of the brand, the designer used his runway at NYFW as a tribute to the beauty and patience of nature, where flowers bloom in their own time—just like his own creative journey within the maison.
A runway filled with flowers and tailoring
Presented on Monday (02/10), Carolina Herrera's Winter 2025 collection not only reaffirms the brand's classic sophistication but also unveils a more intimate side of Gordon. Inspired by the wardrobe of the protagonist in Being There, the tailored suits, pinstripes, and shades of gray added a touch of seriousness to the collection, balanced by the femininity of floral embellishments.
Flowers appear in various forms: in sophisticated jacquards, in metallic brooches adorning twisted sweaters, and even as delicate floral lace trims on trench coats. One of the most striking details is the satin roses, strategically placed to enhance the silhouette of form-fitting dresses. The result is a balance between romance and modernity—something Gordon has been refining masterfully over the years.
A new approach to the iconic white shirt
No Carolina Herrera show would be complete without the iconic combination of a white shirt and a long skirt – a signature of the brand's founder. However, Gordon subverted this tradition with a more contemporary approach: the shirts took on oversized proportions and were layered over voluminous midi skirts, creating a younger and more dynamic look.
Honoring the legacy, but with personal touches
Since taking over the creative direction of Carolina Herrera in 2018, Wes Gordon has been careful to preserve the brand's DNA while still imprinting his own vision. His winter 2025 collection makes it clear that, like Chance, the protagonist of the film he admires so much, the designer has been cultivating his own identity within the house.
If the pre-fall 2025 collection brought references to his mother's dolls, now, he delves even deeper into his memories and inspirations. The result is a collection that maintains Herrera's timeless elegance while adding an authorial freshness that grows with each season.
In a market that often seeks the new at any cost, Gordon proves that evolution and tradition can coexist – much like a well-kept garden, where new flowers bloom without erasing the roots.