Carolina Herrera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolina Herrera
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Herrera in 2007
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María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño
8 January 1939 Caracas, Venezuela
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Label(s)
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| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | Guillermo Pacanins María Niño |
| Family | House of Herrera (by marriage) |
Carolina Herrera (born María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño on January 8, 1939) is a famous Venezuelan American fashion designer. She is known for her amazing personal style. She started her own fashion brand in 1980. Herrera has designed clothes for many First Ladies of the United States. These include Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.
Contents
Early Life and Fashion Beginnings
María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 8, 1939. Her father, Guillermo Pacanins Acevedo, was an Air Force officer. Her mother, María Cristina Niño Passios, was a former governor of Caracas.
Her grandmother, who was very social and loved fashion, introduced young Carolina to the world of design. She took Carolina to fashion shows by famous designers like Balenciaga. She also bought her clothes from top brands like Lanvin and Dior. Carolina once said, "My eye was used to seeing pretty things."
Starting a Career in Fashion
In 1965, Herrera began her career working for Emilio Pucci. He was a designer from Florence, Italy, and a close family friend. She worked at Pucci's store in Caracas. Later, in 1980, she moved to New York City.
In New York, she often spent time with famous people like Andy Warhol and Diana Vreeland. She became well-known for her dramatic and stylish look. She was first listed on the International Best Dressed List in 1972. Then, in 1980, she was added to its Hall of Fame.
The Carolina Herrera Fashion Brand
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| Industry | Luxury Clothing |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | New York City Ourense, Spain |
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Key people
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Carolina Herrera |
| Products | Clothes, perfume |
How the Brand Started
Diana Vreeland, who was the editor of Vogue magazine, suggested that Carolina design her own clothing line. So, Herrera started her fashion line in 1980. She had her first clothing samples made in Caracas.
She showed her first collection at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. It was a big success! A famous store called Martha's, located on Park Avenue, agreed to display her clothes in their windows. After this early success, she went back to Caracas to get money to officially launch her brand.
Her first full collection was shown at the Metropolitan Club in April 1981. This was the first time that venue allowed a fashion show inside its walls. The show even featured supermodel Iman.
Growing the Brand
In 1981, her brand became well-known in fashion magazines like Women's Wear Daily and Tatler. People especially noticed her beautifully designed sleeves. Herrera shows her Ready-to-Wear Collection twice a year at New York Fashion Week.
Some of her most famous clients include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She asked Herrera to design the wedding dress for her daughter, Caroline. Herrera also designed a wedding dress for Diana, Duchess of Cadaval. Actress Renée Zellweger is another notable client.
Changes and Growth with Puig
Starting in 1988, a Spanish perfume company called Puig began making and selling perfumes under the Carolina Herrera name. In 1995, Puig bought the Carolina Herrera fashion business. Carolina Herrera stayed on as the main designer.
In 2008, the company launched a new brand called CH Carolina Herrera. This brand offers clothes and accessories for women, men, and children. It focuses a lot on accessories and leather goods made in Spain.
By 2011, Carolina's daughters, Carolina Jr. and Patricia Lansing, were also helping with the creative design. By 2012, there were 18 Carolina Herrera and CH Carolina Herrera stores around the world. Her clothing lines were sold in 280 stores in 104 countries. In 2016, it was reported that the perfume part of the business had over 25,000 places where its products were sold. The CH brand had 129 standalone stores.
The Carolina Herrera and CH Carolina Herrera brands have worked with many famous photographers for their ads. These include Mario Testino and Brigitte Lacombe.
In 2018, Carolina Herrera showed her last collection for her brand. She then passed the role of main designer to Wes Gordon.
Popular Fragrances
By 2014, there were 15 main perfumes under the Carolina Herrera, CH, and 212 Carolina Herrera brands. In 2016, Herrera launched Good Girl, a new perfume for women. It was her biggest perfume launch in 14 years. The famous model Karlie Kloss became the face of this perfume.
Accessories and Eyewear
From 1994 to 1996, Herrera had a line of leather goods and scarves. Later, the company started making these items themselves.
For sunglasses and eyeglasses, Carolina Herrera has worked with different companies. Since 2022, she has been working with Safilo for the design and sale of her eyewear.
Awards and Recognition
Carolina Herrera has received many important awards for her work in fashion.
- In 2004, she was named "Womenswear Designer of the Year."
- In 2008, she received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This award honors designers who have made a big impact over their career.
- She also received Spain's Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts in 2002. King Juan Carlos I presented it to her.
- In 1997, she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute.
- She received the Fashion Group International Superstar Award and the Style Awards Designer of the Year in 2012.
- She has been featured on the cover of Vogue magazine seven times.
- In 2005, she received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 2014, she earned the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.
Personal Life and Family
In 1957, when she was 18, Carolina married Guillermo Behrens Tello. He was a landowner from Venezuela. They had two daughters before they divorced in 1964:
- Mercedes Behrens-Pacanins
- Ana Luisa Behrens-Pacanins
In 1968, she married Reinaldo Herrera Guevara in Caracas. Reinaldo was a host for a Venezuelan morning TV show. Together, they have two daughters:
- Carolina Adriana Herrera-Pacanins (born 1969), who has three children.
- Patricia Cristina Herrera-Pacanins, who has three children.
In 2009, Carolina Herrera became a naturalized United States citizen.
Images for kids
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A design from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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Another look from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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A stylish outfit from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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A beautiful dress from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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An abstract design from the Spring 2010 collection.
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A sophisticated design from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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A striking piece from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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A classic design from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
See also
In Spanish: Carolina Herrera para niños
