Behind the Wheel with Carolina Herrera

Gearing up to celebrate 30 years as a forerunner in fashion seems almost like a small feat in terms of the Carolina Herrera brand, and I stress almost. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that the divine Herrera stakes claim to a proverbial laundry list of deserved accomplishments a mile long. Adding to the list the honor of being named this September’s Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer does, however, seem to have her giddy: “I’m honored,” she chirped. “Flattered!” An excitement that is only fueled by the fact that CH is a card-holding member of the I’ve Always Had a Mercedes Club. This, of course, makes the marriage between the brands all the more appropriate—they say it’s always best to have a lot in common before walking down the aisle, or runway in this instance.

And the admiration is indeed shared: “Carolina Herrera is iconic to New York City,” were the very matter-of-fact words of Mercedes-Benz Director of Communications Geoff Day, a man I’ve often described as being most eloquent. “Choosing her as this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer represents the strength of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the bright future it will have at Lincoln Center.” And as much as I may regret admitting this about Sir Day: He’s rarely wrong about these things.

When I last had the chance to chat with Carolina, we were taking in her Spring 2010 collection for the second time. We weren’t in the confines of a Bryant Park-based super tent complete with state-of-the-art porta-potties, however. No, this time we watched from a clothed round table in a room full of Miami philanthropists, who were obviously thrilled to have purchased tickets in support of the annual Guardians of the Children luncheon. And as I witnessed from my seat to her right hand side, some were even more delighted to congratulate her on her newly acquired American citizenship and shamelessly proceeded to ask for her support in their newest vested interests i.e., running for some two-bit position in office. As I nibbled on fashion-friendly greens, I made a somewhat brilliant observation: Carolina’s aesthetic isn’t forced, nor is her interaction with fans; she is every bit the elegance that her collections exude.

We at Haute Living have vested interests of our own—we choose to fill our pages with the people who have the wherewithal to shake industries at the core, leaving them forever changed. In a world of well-informed consumers with strong opinions and desires, it takes a leader of industry with strong courage of conviction to make any sort of dent. Carolina Herrera, with a very clear approach to sophisticated dressing, has managed to carve out an entire niche.

Her brand, now almost 30 years in the making, has relayed a message of elegance through intricacy since its onset. I chatted up the Venezuelan-born American designer to get her expert opinion on fashion as it stands at the crossroads between what was and what will be; how she sees Fashion Week’s major shift from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center affecting the fashion world’s overall climate; and having been knighted by Mercedes-Benz, her role in the whole affair.

Her attitude on these issues was about as bright as one of her crisp, white-collared shirts. Refreshing to say the least. The conversation that ensued was one of embracing change, drawing in the masses, and creating an environment that like her designs, is meant to “please the eye.” Carolina emphatically expressed that “fashion is about change.” A well-known fact, yes, but one that sounds new coming from her voice: Thick with accent in the way that makes you envious—think Penelope Cruz in Vanilla Sky. The move to Lincoln Center is one of those changes to her. A departure from consistency in life is healthy and necessary, but as she explains, “We didn’t have a choice; they weren’t letting us stay [at Bryant Park].”

Nothing in her delivery spoke to looking back.

“Lincoln Center is a beautiful idea. They have the best operas, the best music, the best performances… why not the best fashion?” If I hadn’t already fallen in love with her optimism, I did there. “It’s incredible to have this space all together and wonderful to incorporate the people.” Visions of screens projecting the action inside the Lincoln Center to passer-bys hoping to sneak peeks into the invitation-only fashion world passed before my eyes. But Carolina is of the sharing-is-caring mentality. The inclusion of the public was a trending topic during our conversation—one that would surely be preceded by a hash mark if our exchange had been via Twitter. It’s no surprise then that Carolina strongly advocates for Fashion’s Night Out—the “Oscar’s night of fashion” as she described it. September 10 will mark the second year of this spectacle, which is the brainchild of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour—an effort to inject the fun back into fashion. Practically every retailer in every corner of the globe has come on board; creating a fantastical environment inside their store to attract the public to come in, roll up their sleeves, and shop. From celebrity appearances to, in Carolina Herrera’s case, full-on magic shows, the boutiques will #incorporatethepublic in one of Fashion Week’s only open forum events.

As far as the their brand is concerned, Carolina and her team are excited to use this occasion to celebrate personal milestones: The Carolina Herrera boutique fetes 10 years on Madison Avenue with classic American cocktails, Magician Mark Mitton, a digital photo booth, and music by Paul Sevigny. The party trickles down the avenue as CH by CAROLINA HERRERA celebrates a much-anticipated Madison opening as well. Carolina and her daughter, Carolina Herrera Baez, will be there alongside special guest illustrator Robert Risko, who will create personalized caricatures for customers. The festivities are not limited to Manhattan, however; her stores from Dallas to Los Angeles will be similarly in full swing. Not to mention the Bal Harbour Shops boutique party, where 10 percent of proceeds from sales made between September 9 and 11 will benefit Best Buddies Miami. I liken the night more to a World Cup of fashion as Carolina informs me that “this year there are double the cities participating,” a truth that she describes as nothing short of “fabulous.”

Another fabulous project in the works: the Fall 2010 Carolina Herrera ad campaign shot by Mario Sorrenti, featuring her daughter (it’s easy to keep it in the family when Carolina, Jr., is nothing short of breathtaking) and a zebra. This is actually the sixth campaign that Baez has graced. Appropriately, she gives off a similar air of sophistication as her mother, so the message is clear and the aesthetic remains intact. And said air is indeed scented—Baez works on the house’s fragrances as well.

For Carolina, the whirlwind of goings-on changes nothing. She doesn’t plan to approach her process any differently now that she’ll show at Lincoln Center. She continues to work on the next collection, which covers far more than the supremely edited selection of her signature looks, but also includes the details she’s known to fawn: curated music, the works. It’s a process, of course. “Nothing happens overnight,” she concludes.

She sure makes it look easy; but while Carolina hires magicians, she’ll humbly admit that she’s far from one herself.