Carolina Herrera: fashion designer: there's something noble about Carolina Herrera, a sense of elegance that echoes in her queenly grace, the delicate arch of her eyebrows and the soft sheen of her hair. It's an appearance befitting Herrera's status as fashion royalty

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April, 2007 by Corina Miller

A former socialite from Venezuela that was heralded us one of the world's most elegant and best-dressed women throughout the 1970s, Herrera rose from simply loving fashion to becoming a fashion icon. Over the past 25 years, Herrera has successfully translated her elegant essence into evening gowns, bridal wear, casual attire, accessories and even fragrance, all adored by such celebrities as Nicole Kidman, Rene Zellweger and former First Lady Jackie Onassis.

"In a word, Carolina Herrera's work is simply chic," says Sharon Haver, fashion expert and columnist. "She's timeless, classic feminine, and elegant in a way that flatters women throughout their life."

Yet, the recognition that Herrera's work has achieved comes as a pleasant surprise to the Venezuela native. "I started doing this because I loved fashion," she says. "But I had no idea what it would become. I can only say that I am very lucky my mother instilled such discipline and structure in my life!"

The Beginning of Something Big

Born in 1939 in Caracas, Venezuela, Herrera's gift for fashion and society stems from her background as the daughter of the governor of Caracas. A natural dark-eyed beauty, Herrera, who was born to a long line of statesmen and wealthy landowners, was surrounded by glamour from the get-go. Her father. Guillermo, was "dashingly handsome," and her mother exuded a "cultivated aura." Love of style was indeed a family affair, is Herrera's grandmother escorted a 13-year-old Herrera to the Cristobal Balenciaga couture show. Her background, stunning looks and charm paved the way for Herrera to walk in the same cultured circles that included royals and pop figures such as artist Andy Warhol.

Herrera's career began in 1980, when her love of fashion inspired her to launch her first collection. With its exquisite detail and sharp, yet feminine design, Herrera's clothes were fresh renditions of timeless styles. And because they were introduced in a period where loose clothes were the rage, they were different and therefore became an instant hit. "When I showed my first collection in 1981, the whole fashion world was going mad on layer after layer of very loose skirts and free blouses--and no shapes. I came out with a collection that was all fitted. It was very feminine--women Showing their figures--so everybody looked at it," Herrera is quoted as saying in an interview with the Chicago Sun Times' John O'Sullivan. "It was really quite glamorous. That first collection had one distinctive feature--big sleeves. Everyone asked me, 'Why big sleeves?', and I replied: "Well, they are not that new. They have been a fashion feature from Elizabethan times, or even the Middle Ages, up to the Gibson Girls.' All I did was to adapt them to modern times. They were successful because women liked these big sleeves framing their faces."

The success of her debut line prompted Herrera to move her family to New York in 1981 to form Carolina Herrera, Ltd. With her finger on the pulse of women's fashion, Herrera's popularity continued to soar. And even though she became known for classic, feminine designs, her work continued to evolve and mirror various inspirations. For example, her 1997 collection paid homage to 1940s Hollywood starlet Carmen Miranda and featured ruffles, platform shoes and feathers.

To this day, Herrera's work continues to be lauded by fashion fans. Recently, critics praised her fall line, stating that she created "a rich, textured fall line that will give her chic uptown customer something new and fresh to wear without stepping out of her comfort zone." The line she presented included such items as a black wool-felt top and skirt that New York Fashion described as "elegant and unfussy, but full of interesting cut-out details," as well as a gray cashmere sweater worn over an ivory blouse and super wide-leg pants. Herrera topped her fall line with dazzling eveningwear, an organza gown with a ruffled collar and open back.

"Her play with embroidery for evening and the layering were hits. The tunic-shape sheath was so fresh," says Avril Graham, executive fashion director at Harper's Bazaar.

Even today, Herrera's sense for fashion seems remarkably "on the dot". At her most recent fashion week show, her spring 2007 line garnered similar praise, as the majestic designer incorporated couture fashion to ready-to-wear.

"Slim silhouettes on sharply tailored dresses and gowns featured artistic details that were executed couture-style. Cases in point--gray shift embellished with laser cut minute trellis or the gray & white dress with elongated carbon atoms done in applique," says fashion critic Nicole Phelps. "And there is the 'traditional' couture treatment such as beading. Carolina Herrera put those on very contemporary shapes like a sunburst of multi-shaped, multi-sized, and multi-color semi-precious stones around the flaps of pockets.... And though this question maybe reaching, even way off the mark, one cannot help but wonder if Carolina Herrera is Paris-bound for haute couture."