There's been lots of talk about "gorgeous gorgeous girls"—a TikTok phrase with 240 million clicks and counting—and what they do to secure their allure. One shortcut, if you can pay for it, is a runway confection from Carolina Herrera. The womenswear label is now helmed by Wes Gordon, though Mrs. Herrera is very much alive, well, and sitting in her own front row to monitor the situation. (I believe this is what the kids call "a flex.") She was joined by White Lotus star Alexandra Daddario, teen whisperer Sabrina Carpenter, and Mother of Dragons (sorry, of Influencers!) Chiara Ferragni; a certified trio of prettiness that can sometimes seem like it's from another planet.
That same level of "Wait, this lives on Earth?" can be applied to Gordon's most exciting designs, including a caped saffron column dress, a black coat with its own bejeweled armor, and a pair of sky blue sleeves that cinched at the wrist with parachute cords. ("We have lift off," etc etc.) And since the Oscars is happening in 6 weeks—which is basically "tomorrow" in the fast forward haze of late-pandemic times—Gordon also gave gala options like a powder pink corset and surrounding fabric froth, just to make sure its wearer (Rachel Zegler from West Side Story? Demi Singleton from King Richard?) clears the way for a solo shot on the red carpet. There was also a cross-my-heart power suit with pink and purple fabric gills, which I thought was pretty cool, especially for actress-turned-director types like Maggie Gyllenhaal, or anyone sick of trying to sit down in a ballgown.
Gordon opened his show notes with a quote from the 19th century novelist William Thackeray, who famously said, "bravery never goes out of fashion." And yes, these clothes are—to quote the show notes—"bold, self-assured, and full-of-fire." But without women of all shapes and ages on the catwalk, can a collection truly express the everyday courage it takes for a woman to step into a world built for #GorgeousGorgeousGirls...but not all of us?
Here's hoping Mr. Gordon's next collection ponders that question. Meanwhile, I'll be pondering his pink-and-red strapless dress because wow, so gorgeous.
Carolina Herrera
Faran Krentcil is a fashion journalist and critic based in New York City. She is the founding editor of Fashionista and a graduate of Duke University. Her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and more.
