Carolina Herrera ended her final collection with a signature flourish. Every model in her moving finale was clad in a crisp white button-down shirt — her trademark look — with a colorful ball skirt and a contrasting wide belt.
The famously well-mannered designer also paid tribute to the white coat-clad men and women who work in her sample room by welcoming them onto the runway.
After 37 years at the helm of her fashion house, Herrera is passing the torch to 31-year-old Wes Gordon, who has been named creative director. Herrera is not retiring; she will become global brand ambassador.
The elegant Caracas-born 79-year-old designer was honored with a standing ovation from the full crowd at the Museum of Modern Art. Karlie Kloss, Dianna Agron, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Katie Holmes and Seth Myers and his pregnant wife, Alexi Ashe, were among the many front-row luminaries who applauded her.
Mrs. H, as she is called in her studio, has dressed first ladies and leading ladies, including Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump and Renee Zellweger.
“It was a beautiful way to close the show and an iconic era of New York fashion,” Kloss tells The Post, noting that the first runway show she ever opened in her modeling career was Herrera’s. “She’s extraordinary and has been such a support to me personally and professionally.”
Designer Prabal Gurung also praised Herrera’s generosity. “Mrs. Herrera has been my mentor. She’s been very instrumental in my career,” he says.
What was the best advice Herrera ever gave him? “She told me, ‘Don’t listen to the press. Just listen to the women. That’s all you need to do as a designer.'”