Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2026: A garden of grace in an overcrowded world

Dressing, according to Wes Gordon, should be the same as how one gardens—with instinct, intention, and a sense of freedom in how things come together.

If there’s anything that luxury label Carolina Herrera is, it is a breath of fresh air in a world that often feels chaotic and uniform. Each of the brand’s shows and collections is a refreshing break from hectic fashion weeks, with its floral themes and bright palettes that exude an overall feeling of lightness and beauty.

This unique, refreshing narrative continues in the Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2026 collection, which creative director Wes Gordon cultivated to be lush, thoughtful, and delightfully elegant in an era where fashion needs to be loud to be heard.

Drawing inspiration from the beauty of gardens and gardeners, the lineup, he says, blooms with “lots of happy, compelling, beautiful pieces, which is what any collection should be about in an overcrowded world.”

Aptly called “Garden Girls,” the American fashion designer’s latest showpiece is an artful fusion of the brand’s vibrant DNA and contemporary wardrobing. Every part of the assortment is a flower-filled delight, from the strong yet delicate workwear to the sophisticated, feminine evening attire.

“I loved the idea of dressing the way one gardens. There’s instinct, intention, and a sense of freedom in how things come together,” Gordon said of the lineup. It is inspired by iconic women such as Bunny Mellon, Miranda Brooks, and Grace Fuller who, he said, “create beauty and also embody it.”

These women’s love of hydrangeas and peonies runs throughout the collection, embroidered or printed in dresses made of delicate chiffon, crepe and organza, as well as expressed in pretty lace layers, poplin, and silk.

Gordon balanced beauty and utility, romance and rigor in sharp pieces that seamlessly transition from day to night. He played with the workwear-meets-gardenwear concept in chambray-textured suits, softly tailored jackets, and relaxed stripes shirts that move with ease.

It is also evident in the navy cable knit sweater paired with a deep green floral- embroidered twill skirt and tall combat boots, as well as the cropped gabardine plaid jacket that he embellished with little pink rosettes and matched with a beige-belted twill pencil skirt.

Beyond the steps: Roger Vivier redefines Cannes footwear grandeur

The color palette was likewise curated to transcend seasons. Fresh spring greens add more life to laces, while delicate pinks and rich crimsons bring warmth to knits and evening silhouettes. Meanwhile, muted blues and calm midnight tones soften tweeds and jerseys, while cherry brown infuse the delicate assortment with natural depth.

Gordon elevated the looks with accessories designed to transform any piece entirely. “An organza dress can feel effortless during the day, then be completely reinvented at night with an opulent necklaces,” he noted.

The designer expanded the botanical narrative in jewelry with floral motifs, as well as crystal and pearl pieces with details directly drawn from the collection’s palette. Iconic bags were reimagined with creative femininity, as seen in the Consuelo, which returned with a gradient of pink and black crystals, as well as the Pia that now comes in rich brown suede. There’s also the Luci bag that now appears in navy and pale blue leather, while the the Vega debuts in a satin weave of Isle Blue and Rosewater pink.

OPINION: Worshipping the rich, the beautiful, and the hopelessly vacant

What to expect from ‘Into the Woods’ Manila with its all-Filipino cast, creative team

REVIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is fast, fun, and has more heart than you’d expect

Ferragamo’s Winter Escape is quiet luxury with a cold-weather twist

Actor Awards 2026 nominations: ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ set the pace