Backstage at Carolina Herrera: A Garden of Magic and Love

NYFW

Mar 28

The Carolina Herrera show always feels special, but this one? Pure magic. It was my second time working backstage at CH, and I still can't get enough of it! I knew this show would be unforgettable from the moment I walked in.

A few hours before the first look hit the runway, the team was busy transforming the space. As I stepped inside, I saw them turning the venue into a blooming garden—it was breathtaking. The flowers looked like they were growing straight out of the concrete floor, as if nature had taken over. I got chills just watching it come to life.

Looking out the windows, I saw Central Park frozen in time, covered in ice, standing in perfect contrast to the warmth and romance inside. It was like a dream—a winter wonderland outside, a blooming fantasy within.

One of my favorite things about this show was how much Wes Gordon designs with love for women. A friend of mine, Melissa, put it so well: “It’s easy to see when a designer truly loves women versus when they don’t. Wes definitely does.” And it shows—every silhouette, fabric, and detail was made to make women feel beautiful, strong, and confident.

But my absolute favorite thing about this show? The flowers. They weren’t just decoration; they set the whole mood. They brought the space to life, making it feel romantic, elegant, and timeless. The way they seemed to grow from the floor, blending seamlessly into the collection, was breathtaking.

A personal highlight? I got to dress Luiza Perote, a Brazilian model I had dressed with before at Jason Wu Spring 2025. Seeing her doing so well, season after season, and getting to share that moment with another Brazilian backstage was really special. She wore Look 12 and Look 65, both absolutely stunning. And here’s a little backstage secret—her black top in the second look wasn't properly closing, and there was a minute of panic before we got it fixed just in time. Uff!

And then, a moment I’ll never forget. All the models had their first looks on for photos, and we were waiting backstage when suddenly Wes Gordon walked into the room asking for a particular dress—Look 57. He grabbed it, and right after, Anna Wintour herself took it straight from his hands. She wanted to see the details up close. That was the closest I’ve ever been to her, and it was just so cool to witness. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, that dress had already appeared just a week ago—Gillian Anderson wore it at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards, paired with Martin Katz jewelry.

NYFW Carolina Herrera Fall2025 Gillian Anderson.jpg

Moments like these remind me why I love what I do. The rush of backstage, the beauty of fashion, the sense of connection and celebration—it’s all so special. And Wes Gordon? He continues to bring dreams to life, season after season.