Carolina Herrera Stages a Historic Show in the Heart of Madrid

On September 18, Carolina Herrera unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection at Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid’s most iconic squares. For the first time in its history, the house departed from New York, where it had always presented its main collection, to showcase it in another city. In the brand’s 44-year history, it also marked the third international presentation, following Resort collections previously shown in Rio de Janeiro and Mexico.

A “Love Letter” Connecting Past and Present

That evening, a monumental 450-meter runway welcomed an audience of 1,500 guests. Spectators watched not only from the front row but also from the terraces of nearby cafés, balconies, and even rooftops. The square was transformed into Carolina Herrera’s world, bathed in the brand’s signature pale pink, with moments where guests spontaneously joined in to the all-Spanish soundtrack.

The collection drew inspiration from 17th-century Spain’s Golden Age and the cultural movement of the 1980s known as La Movida Madrileña. The skies immortalized by Goya and the vivid tones found in the films of Pedro Almodóvar informed a striking palette: gradations moving from saffron to Herrera red and burgundy, followed by blazing fuchsia, lilac, pure white, and the deep black emblematic of Spain’s Golden Age.

Dresses and jackets were adorned with carnations, violets, and roses from Madrid’s Retiro Park, rendered in embroidery and three-dimensional embellishments. The result was a modern yet deeply evocative tribute to tradition.

Collaborations with Spain’s Creative Voices

This landmark show also highlighted collaborations with leading Spanish creatives. Legendary designer Sybilla, an emblem of the Movida era, co-created sculptural and sensual dresses. Alejandro Gómez Palomo of Palomo Spain reinterpreted the brand’s signature white shirt with his own poetic flair.

Casa Seseña, the century-old cape maker, contributed pieces as an homage to the late Reinaldo Herrera. Ceramic jewelry designer Andrés Gallardo and glass artist Mar del Hoyo of Levens crafted accessories inspired by flowers and water droplets, adding organic dimension to the looks.

Creative director Wes Gordon emphasized the resonance between the city and the house’s vision of womanhood: “Madrid has long been one of my favorite cities in the world, a place filled with extraordinary creative talent.”

Through the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Carolina Herrera presented a new vision born at the intersection of history and modernity. Gordon elevated not just the city as a backdrop, but its very culture and spirit, weaving them into the collection and leading the brand’s story into a bold new chapter.

Explore every look from the Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2026 collection in the gallery below:

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