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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| Children | 4 |
Carolina Herrera, born María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño on January 8, 1939, is a famous fashion designer from Venezuela and the United States. She is known for her elegant personal style. In 1980, she started her own fashion brand. Many important people, like several First Ladies of the United States (such as Jacqueline Onassis and Michelle Obama), have worn her beautiful designs.
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Early Life of Carolina Herrera
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. Carolina's grandmother was a socialite, meaning she was very active in high society. She introduced young Carolina to the world of fashion. Her grandmother took her to fashion shows by famous designers like Balenciaga and bought her clothes from Lanvin and Dior. Carolina once said, "My eye was accustomed to seeing pretty things." This early exposure helped her develop her amazing sense of style.
Starting a Career in Fashion
In 1965, Carolina Herrera began her career working for Emilio Pucci. He was a Florentine Marquis 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 chosen for its Hall of Fame.
The Carolina Herrera 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 Began
Carolina Herrera's friend and mentor, Diana Vreeland, who was the editor of Vogue magazine, suggested she create her own clothing line. So, in 1980, Herrera started her fashion company. She had her first clothing samples made in Caracas. She showed her first collection at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan, and it was a big success. A well-known boutique called Martha's agreed to display her clothes in their windows.
After this first success, she went back to Caracas to get money for a bigger launch. She showed her first full collection at the Metropolitan Club in April 1981. This fashion show was special because it was the first time the club allowed a fashion show inside its walls. Supermodel Iman was one of the models in the show.
Growing the Brand
In 1981, her brand became famous in many important fashion magazines, like Women's Wear Daily and Tatler. People especially noticed her beautifully designed sleeves. Carolina Herrera still shows her Ready-to-Wear Collection twice a year at New York Fashion Week.
Some of her most famous clients include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who asked her to design her daughter Caroline's wedding dress. She also designed a wedding dress for Diana, Duchess of Cadaval. The actress Renée Zellweger has also worn her designs.
New Owners and New Lines
Starting in 1988, a Spanish perfume company called Puig began making and selling perfumes using the Carolina Herrera name. In 1995, Puig bought the Carolina Herrera fashion business. Carolina Herrera stayed on as the Creative Director, guiding the designs.
In 2008, the company launched a new clothing line called CH Carolina Herrera. This line offers many products for women, men, and children. It focuses a lot on accessories and leather goods made by hand in Spain.
By 2011, Carolina's daughters, Carolina Jr. and Patricia Lansing, also started 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 separate stores.
In 2018, Carolina Herrera showed her last collection for her main brand. She then handed over the role of creative director to Wes Gordon.
Perfumes and Accessories
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. This was her biggest perfume launch in 14 years. The famous model Karlie Kloss became the face of this new fragrance.
From 1994 to 1996, Herrera also had a line of leather goods and scarves. Later, the company started making these items themselves. Carolina Herrera also works with partners to design and sell sunglasses and eyeglasses around the world.
Other Work and Recognition
Since 2004, Carolina Herrera has been on the board of directors for jewelry designer Mimi So. She has also been on the board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 1999.
Awards and Honors
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 huge impact over their careers.
- She received the Award of Excellence from The International Center in New York.
- In 2002, she was given Spain's Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts by King Juan Carlos I.
- In 1997, she received the Gold Medal of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute.
- She won the Fashion Group International Superstar Award.
- In 2012, she received the Style Awards Designer of the Year.
- 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
In 1957, when she was 18, Carolina married Guillermo Behrens Tello. They had two daughters:
- Mercedes Behrens-Pacanins
- Ana Luisa Behrens-Pacanins
In 1968, she married Reinaldo Herrera Guevara in Caracas. Reinaldo was a host of a Venezuelan morning TV show. Together, they have two daughters:
- Carolina Adriana Herrera-Pacanins (born 1969)
- Patricia Cristina Herrera-Pacanins
Carolina Herrera and her husband have six grandchildren. 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 dress from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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Elegant design from Autumn/Winter 2014.
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A unique design from the Spring 2010 collection.
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A stylish outfit from Autumn/Winter 2014.
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A beautiful gown from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
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Another design from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
See also
In Spanish: Carolina Herrera para niños
