Lavish & Lacy

What do Becky Bi souli s, Carolina
Herrera and Bob Mackie have in
common? They're all fashions designers
who have new bridal gown collections.

Chic Carolina

BY CARLA JEAN SCHWARTZ

rin

he Carolina Herrera col-
lection is regal in every
way. Designer Herrera
looks like a princess herself
with her smooth skin and perfect
features. And she designs for royalty
— Priness Elizabeth of Yugoslavia and
Countess Consuelo Crispi are among
her clients.
Chic, understated elegance
describes Carolina Herrera's designs.
She believes the gown should never
outshine the bride.
"My gowns are classic in a mod-
ern way for the active woman. They
are not trendy. They have a certain
elegance and femininity, and they are
always admired by men;' says Herrera
of her bridal collection, now in its
second season. For the past seven
years, she has designed a couture line;
she recently added the CH collection,
which is less expensive, and Carolina
Herrera perfume.
Long before she became a
fashion designer, her name was linked
to the fashion world as a perennial
member of various best dressed lists.
As a child growing up in
Venezuela, she often traveled to Paris
with her grandmother to attend
Balenciaga's couture shows. Her

68 BRIDES 1989

socialite upbringing led to an interest
in well-made, beautiful clothes.
Her entrance into the fashion
world was encouraged by family,
friends and retailers because of her
sense of style and sophistication.
One illustrious client is Jacqueline
Kennedy Onassis. When daughter
Caroline Kennedy married, they both
wore Herrera gowns. But when
Herrera is asked to name her famous
clients, she politely refuses.
"I don't ever talk about my
clients," she says. Herrera lets the
clients discuss their own clothes
publicly. She then ends this topic by
saying, "If the dresses cannot sell by
themselves, then there is something
wrong.
The dresses are selling, and she
is designing for her public. Many
brides, like Caroline Kennedy, special
order their gown. For the general
public, there is a complete bridal gown
line available.Herrera's fashions are
available at Sue Gordon Bridal Salon,
Roz & Sherm and Saks Fifth Avenue.
This season, brides have many
options, including detachable trains
and button-up bustles. One re-em-
broidered lace gown has a beaded
bodice with a white shantung skirt and

bow bustles. Another gown in the
collection has a white silk crepe
bodice with tulle skirt that is longer
in the back and shorter in the front.
Herrera shows two gowns with a
chapel train: One has a lace bodice
with an empire skirt, while another
features white organza dots with a
dropped torso. Herrera tries to offer
styles suitable for younger and older
brides.
All the gowns have classic lines.
The fabrics — satin and taffeta — are
simple and lush, and details are always
elegant.
One subtle touch by Herrera is
putting many of the details on the
back of the dress. Back interest is
important, she notes, because the
bride stands with her back to the
guests during the ceremony.
Along with her chic signature of
elegance, Herrera is a romantic. "The
wedding is the most important day in
a woman's life. It is filled with fantasy
and romance?'
Herrera says that she wants
brides to look beautiful on this special
day. "The gowns make the girls look
pure and innocent." Herrera pauses for
a moment, then adds, "I think that's
the way brides should look." ❑