27 Sep 2025
Carolina Herrera transported the fashion world to the heart of Madrid with its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, unveiling a runway at the iconic Plaza Mayor — a first for the house outside New York on such a scale. Creative Director Wes Gordon staged a dialogue between past and present, fusing the grandeur of Spain’s 17th-century Golden Age with the rebellious spirit of the 1980s La Movida movement. The result was a vivid homage to Madrid, celebrating the city’s rhythm, appetite for life, and boundless creativity.
The color palette pulsed with intensity and romance, from saffron yellow and Herrera red to deep Rioja, electric pink, violeta lilac, crisp white, and bold black — shades that called to mind the cinematic universe of Pedro Almodóvar. Signature florals bloomed across the runway: carnations embroidered in luminous jacquards, violettas transformed into delicate 3D embroideries, and roses inspired by the historic Rosaleda of El Retiro park. Together, they painted a story of heritage in full bloom.
Modern tailoring and craft enriched the silhouettes. Sculptural sleeves nodded to traditional chulapas, while hip structures evoked matadors’ montera caps. Polka dots, a Carolina Herrera code, reappeared in dramatic tiered dresses and sculptural daywear. Complementing the clothes, handbags debuted as essential components of the Herrera silhouette — among them the Mimi, Pía, and Lola, each imbued with elegance and function in equal measure.
Collaborations with Spanish artisans deepened the collection’s cultural roots. Designer Sybilla brought sculptural geometry to Herrera’s tailoring, while PALOMO reinvented the iconic white shirt. Jewelry atelier ANDRESGALLARDO crafted porcelain carnations, Levens created glass jewelry that shimmered under Madrid’s sunlight, and Casa Seseña’s heritage capes paid tribute to timeless Spanish elegance.
Spring/Summer 2026 became a love letter to Madrid: bold, precise, and endlessly romantic. Carolina Herrera offered more than a collection — it was a declaration of vitality and joy, rooted in heritage yet directed at the future.
