Carolina Herrera executes her craft impeccably, but the conservatively pretty clothes are clearly not made for envelope-pushing. The frilly, embroidered blouses and fitted skirts are perfect for pleasing the ladies who lunch, the socialites and the upper crust sitting in her front row; the clothes are safe, but aren’t taking nay fashion risks.
This season, however, a bit more sex was infused throughout the collection, with bustiers and peplums vamping up the separates, while structured obi belts cinched cocktail dresses and shiny black tweeds on a corseted gown raised some eyebrows. But ultimately, her ruffles and frills always remain feminine and respectable enough for her Upper East Side clientele. The color choices—which included a rich persimmon and bright marigold—are tough hues for the plebes to pull off; but maybe that was her point.
