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Carolina Herrera's Fall Collection Is a Study in Opulence and Escapism

“There’s something about a fabulous dress that inspires you to make the extra effort, to get your hair done, to stand up straighter, to bring joy to your day, rather than that sense of surrender that so often we feel when we’re getting dressed,” says creative director Wes Gordon.

Before a model had even appeared on the plush white runway set up inside the Plaza Hotel’s ballroom, Carolina Herrera blasted out the show notes for its Fall 2023 collection, to set the tone for the morning and give guests an idea of what to expect. The theme, the brand explained, was “extreme opulence.” 

Wes Gordon looked to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi, for inspiration, and chose to explore the “dichotomy of discipline and grandeur” of her wardrobe, which was as rich and fanciful and fabulous as the court of Habsurg was rigid and traditional. The Fall 2023 collection uses that as a jumping-off point, to marry the regality of jewel tones and fine tailoring with the craftsmanship the house of Herrera is known for and the drama that comes with all of that.

To the House of Herrera, opulence meant the “time and consideration spent on the creation of a piece,” “zero compromise for the very best of construction and craftsmanship,” “how a woman feels when putting on her dress… a sharply tailored suit precisely cut to the millimeter,” the show notes read. This feeling applies to a crisp white button-down (a brand signature) as it does to an anorak ballgown. 

Part of the reason why Gordon felt compelled to explore this theme for Fall 2023 was in response to the realities we face on the daily. “We look at the news, and something more horrendous happens than the day before. It’s a scary time. It’s an uncertain time. But I’m of the belief that the antidote to darkness and gray is not more darkness and gray. It’s the promise of beauty,” the designer told Fashionista after the show. “It’s what we are at Herrera: We’re a house about making beautiful clothes. It’s not an overly philosophical exercise, but there’s nothing wrong with that. And that’s never been more important.” 

His goal was to present clothes that “even for a moment just make you feel maybe optimistic and joyful. I think it’s extraordinarily important, and certainly the opposite of frivolity.”

Gordon has also felt inspired by Carolina Herrera’s clientele, who came out in droves for the brand’s latest New York Fashion Week debut, dressed in their CH best. “I’ve been really lucky to travel again all around the world with clients doing events, and there are so many women who are coming to us for those pieces that bring that spark of happiness,” he said. “There’s something about a fabulous dress that I think inspires you to make the extra effort, to go that extra mile, to get your hair done, to stand up straighter, to bring joy to your day, rather than that sense of surrender that so often we feel when we’re getting dressed in the morning. And I think that’s important.”

And Fall 2023 certainly has fabulous dresses, made using some of the most intricate, difficult-to-produce fabrics that “unfortunately have become a bit extinct on runways,” said Gordon (who, by the way, not only had a baby named Georgia a week ago, but also just moved.) “When it came to the collection, from developing the colors to the fabrics, I wanted everything to feel emotional and to convey a sense of drama, joy and just the magic of what a beautiful dress is, a beautiful coat is… Everything was emotional. Everything was about love and the craft and the extraordinary seamstresses, pattern makers, tailors that I get to work with.” 

See every look from Carolina Herrera Fall 2023.

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Fall 2023. Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

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Source: Fashionista.com

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