Carolina Herrera, currently celebrating an impressive 35 years at the forefront of fashion, was celebrated last night, receiving the prestigious Women’s Leadership Award from the Women's Leadership Council at Lincoln Center.
Held at Alice Tully Hall, the gala and exhibition was a tribute to the Venezuelan NYC-based designer, celebrating her longevity in the industry. Known for her elegance and flawless personal style, Herrera has dressed the world’s foremost women, including first ladies Jacqueline Onassis and Michelle Obama. Answering the question on everyone’s mind, Herrera said she'd be honored if Melania Trump wore one of her designs.
Carolina with Harper's Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey / Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Fellow Venezuelan Carmen is among the co-chairs of this year’s event, alongside Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey and Gabriela and Austin Hearst, Lincoln Center's Katherine Farley, Hearst's Steven R. Swartz, Audrey Gruss, Susan and John Jess, and Marigay Mckee and Bill Ford.
Carmen pictured with designer Gabriela Hearst and President of the Nancy Gonzalez Group Santo Barberi Gonzalez / Photo: @gabrielahearst
The event was attended by Emmy Rossum, Olivia Palermo and Nicky Hilton Rothschild, among others. Legendary singer Diana Ross sang a mini-concert in Herrera's honor, including hits like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Coming Out."
As the first Venezuelan fashion designer to achieve global success, Carmen credits Carolina with giving confidence to fellow Latino creatives. “She was the first one. She’s our inspiration and our trailblazer", Carmen said.
Carmen wore a Giles Deacon haute couture cape with train and trousers, created for her in London. As sole individual benefactor of the British Fashion Council’s fashion trust, Carmen wore Giles because of his unique majestic vision and to champion British fashion talent abroad. The look was enhanced by jewels from Munnu The Gem Palace, Fernando Jorge and Lydia Courteille.