Carolina Herrera Resort 2024

Throughout the week, Wes Gordon closely monitored the weather in Rio like a hawk. It was a momentous occasion for Carolina Herrera, as the New York label brought its resort show to the captivating Brazilian beach town—an homage to the brand’s strong connection with Latin America. Furthermore, Rio provided an ideal backdrop to launch a new fragrance, given the flourishing fragrance business in Brazil.

Earlier today, the sun shone brightly, but as evening approached, clouds gathered, and despite the promising sight of a rainbow over the Santa Teresa neighborhood, where the show was set to take place, the skies opened up. Nevertheless, rain or shine, the show must go on. After a substantial delay, Caroline Trentini emerged onto the blush-pink runway, adorned in a ruffled floral off-the-shoulder dress, complemented by a polka-dotted belt and matching sandals—a look that effortlessly combined sensuality and elegance.

Wes Gordon has never been one to shy away from bold, vibrant palettes or exuberant prints. Showing in Rio gave him the perfect excuse to unleash his creativity. A mango-yellow gown featured voluminous sleeves intricately draped to resemble flowers, with a thigh-high slit accentuated by an oversized bow. A cotton eyelet bralette was paired with a matching ball skirt, both dyed in a striking acid green hue. And yes, that was Isabeli Fontana confidently striding in an orange crochet tank top and matching skirt.

The collection also featured sporty separates in lightweight twill and a remarkable short suit (accompanied by a matching crop top) in a herringbone-patterned corded twill that mimicked the look of seersucker. Another standout piece showcased a mosaic-patterned floral design on a flirty, strapless A-line mini dress. “It was a strike-off that the mill sent to show me all the different colors they were proposing, but we loved the mix,” explained Gordon. Embracing a laid-back vibe for the collection, he decided to incorporate all the colors at once—creating a vibrant and joyful visual experience.

As the models gracefully walked the runway, some barefoot and carrying their shoes in their hands, genuine smiles radiated from their faces amidst the rain pouring down around them. This captivating scene perfectly encapsulated the essence of the Carolina Herrera woman: elegant, resilient, and always ready to embrace a good time, regardless of the elements.

“After realizing the rain wouldn’t let up,” shared Gordon in an emotional post-show reflection, “we said, ‘oh, we’ll shoot a video inside,’ but all the girls insisted on walking.” Noting that many of the models were Brazilian, he continued, “they were singing songs, cheering, clapping. The show came to life because of the models. It was one of the most emotionally charged moments I’ve ever experienced.”