Madrid became the heart of the Carolina Herrera universe for one unforgettable evening. For the first time ever, the iconic New York-based fashion house took its main seasonal collection beyond the Big Apple, staging its Spring/Summer 2026 show in the historic Plaza Mayor of Madrid.
With 800 guests and more than 70 runway looks, the show was a full-scale cultural event, a tribute, and a declaration of love to the Spanish capital. “There’s something about the rhythm of this city, its appetite for life, that inspires me every season and deeply embodies the Herrera woman,” said Wes Gordon, the brand’s creative director.
© Pablo CuadraThe move to Madrid marked a bold shift for the house. While other luxury giants like Dior and Louis Vuitton have chosen Spanish cities for cruise collections in recent years, this was Herrera’s first main runway collection outside New York. And it didn’t go unnoticed.
© Pablo CuadraAttendees ranged from Spanish icons like Pedro Almodóvar, Aitana Sánchez Gijón, and Nieves Álvarez, to global fashion names like Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung, Becky G, Sebastina Yatra, and Vittoria Ceretti. Even the mayor of Madrid showed up.
© Pablo CuadraThe show kicked off in dramatic style. Models walked a nearly kilometer-long pale pink runway that stretched across the plaza, while locals watched curiously from restaurant terraces and balconies. The soundtrack was an electric mix of '80s hits.
© Patricia J. Garcinuño“I’ve fallen in love with the city,” Gordon told El Mundo before the show. “There’s an energy, a style, and inspiration that align perfectly with the brand.” The show’s palette ranged from Herrera’s signature red to rich violets, burgundy, blush pinks, almond tones, and jet black. There were even flashes of citrus yellow, paired boldly with violet and fuchsia in surprising combinations.
© Carlos AlvarezVolume and structure danced together on the runway, sculpted jackets reminiscent of a bullfighter’s montera, tailored trousers evoking the goyesco style, sleeves inspired by the traditional chulapa silhouette. A nod to the city's history.
© Carlos AlvarezThe local influence didn’t stop at design references. The show featured collaborations with Madrid’s legendary artisans, including cape makers Seseña, porcelain studio Levens, and jewelry designer Andrés Gallardo, who created floral pieces inspired by carnations. There were also special capsule creations by Spanish designers Sybilla and Palomo Spain, the latter reimagining the brand’s iconic white shirt in stunning historical detail.
© Patricia J. GarcinuñoEven the casting reflected the city, with Spanish models like Esther Cañadas, Blanca Padilla, and Marina Pérez walking the show. “We’re a floral brand,” Gordon reminded El Mundo. “Flowers are incredibly important to us, whether in fragrance or fashion.”
© Pablo CuadraAnd in this collection, they bloomed everywhere. The clavel (carnation), Madrid’s symbolic flower, adorned pieces in intricate embroidery and gold thread. Violets, a tribute to the city’s iconic candies, appeared in 3D fabric details, and roses, which Gordon called “passionate and very Latin,” were rendered in every technique imaginable.
© Pablo CuadraAs always with Herrera, elegance came first, but not at the cost of creativity. Lace overlays, mantilla-inspired textures, rich jacquards, and silk georgettes played across silhouettes that ranged from romantic to sharply tailored. There was a touch of baroque, a hint of costumbrismo, and just enough pop rebellion to keep things modern.
© Carlos AlvarezIt wasn’t just about clothes. This was a multidimensional tribute to a city that pulses with heritage, joy, and reinvention. The event even coincided with the launch of Carolina Herrera’s latest fragrance, 'La Bomba,' a celebration of Latin spontaneity and vitality.
After the final look and the haunting sound of “Porque te vas” by Jeanette, the celebration continued with a party at the Casino de Madrid, sealing the evening as not just a runway show but a statement of intent. Carolina Herrera, a brand deeply rooted in American luxury, had come to Madrid and made it feel like home.
