For Carolina Herrera, attending a Balenciaga show at the tender age of 13 was the canonical event that, almost 30 years later, made her a fashion icon, an example of elegance and an inspiration for new generations.
The designer, who turned 85 on January 8, was born into one of the wealthy families in Caracas, Venezuela, but faced various obstacles before creating the empire she has today, with the help of her second Man's Reinaldo Herrera, editor of, founded Vanity Fair magazine and Marquis of Torre Casa.
The 10 Best Carolina Herrera Dresses That Made History and the Famous Women Who Wore Them
Beginnings of Carolina Herrera
As Perfil published, Carolina Herrera was the daughter of the former governor of Caracas, Guillermo Pacanins Acevedo, and María Cristina Niño Passios. At the age of 18, she married Guillermo Behrens Tello, with whom she had her daughters Mercedes and Ana Luisa, before divorcing in 1964.
Years later she met Reinaldo, who gave her daughters Carolina Adriana and Patricia Cristina the famous surname that is now part of her brand, in addition to the title of Marchioness of Torre Casa, which she lost because she could not conceive a male child.
Aiming to become a famous designer, the Venezuelan debuted her first collection in 1980, when she was already over 40 years old. “Age is just a stereotype; “It doesn't mean anything if you're really passionate about something,” said Caras years later, the woman who founded her own clothing line in New York City in the '90s.
Carolina Herrera's current empire
At 85, the designer has retired from her empire, which she left under the creative direction of Wes Gordon and his capable daughter Carolina Adriana, according to Vanidades.
How much is Carolina Herrera's net worth? The designer, who built an empire at a young age, surprises at the age of 84 with a radical change from a yellow suit to a white T-shirt
They are the ones who run the reins of the brand, which is not only dedicated to producing clothes for celebrities and European royalty, but also markets more than 20 perfumes with the help of the perfume company Puig.
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