Carolina Herrera Spring 2026
Under the direction of Wes Gordon, Carolina Herrera unveiled its Spring 2026 collection in the heart of Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, transforming the historic square into a runway that celebrated both the house’s elegance and Spain’s cultural heritage. The choice of location was as symbolic as it was striking: a pink runway stretched across the centuries-old plaza, aligning the house’s iconic rose hue with the vibrancy of the city. Gordon, who has led Carolina Herrera since 2018, crafted a collection that not only honored the label’s codes of femininity and refinement but also engaged deeply with Spanish tradition, artistry, and craftsmanship.
The collection spanned seventy-seven looks, ranging from sweeping black ballgowns and sharply tailored jackets to toreador-inspired pedal-pusher pants and crisp white shirts—an Herrera signature reimagined in dialogue with Spanish designers Sybilla and Palomo Spain. Collaborations with local ateliers further rooted the show in its setting: the celebrated cape-makers of Casa Seseña contributed to the tailoring, while artisans in ceramics and glasswork informed accessories and embellishments. This integration of local craftsmanship elevated the collection beyond fashion, positioning it as a cultural exchange between the house of Herrera and the city of Madrid.
Floral motifs became a central narrative thread. Roses, carnations, and violets—flowers tied to Spanish identity—appeared in embroidered panels, appliquéd petals, and sculptural silhouettes. In one striking gown, red carnations blossomed across luminous white fabric, a gesture both bold and delicate, embodying Gordon’s ability to merge drama with grace. Each look reflected the countless hours of labor invested by embroiderers and dressmakers in the Herrera atelier, where hand-stitching, layering, and fabric manipulation were executed with precision and restraint.
The show itself captured the spirit of celebration. As models moved through Plaza Mayor, the interplay of history and modernity was palpable: centuries of Spanish architecture surrounding contemporary silhouettes that honored both tradition and innovation. Gordon’s Carolina Herrera Spring 2026 collection demonstrated not only his command of design and detail but also his sensitivity to place, culture, and narrative. It was a statement of beauty shaped by collaboration, craftsmanship, and the timeless codes of the house, reaffirming Herrera’s place as a guardian of elegance and an interpreter of modern exclusivity.
For readers wishing to explore all seventy-seven looks in detail, the complete presentation is available on the official Carolina Herrera website.
Editor’s Insight: The show was absolutely beautiful to watch, even through the screen. The setting, the music, the colors — all came together in a seamless expression of elegance. It felt bright, uplifting, and full of feminine energy, a celebration that lingers well beyond the runway. For those who wish to experience the atmosphere, the full show is available to watch on YouTube.
Photography courtesy of Carolina Herrera.
