The Carolina Herrera Fall 2017 collection features a crisp polish with a series of looks based on her characteristic uniform keystone—the white blouse.

“It’s a very uncomplicated silhouette,” said Carolina Herrera, giving her model board one last look before her Fall show. “To me, the less complicated, the more modern. Sometimes, when things are too complicated, they belong in the circus!”

The tops came with sashes, velvet ribbon accents, or tiny cotton pearls embroidered in silvery lines down sleeves that were enhanced with just the right amount of volume. A few evoked prairie or gaucho hints. A dress shirt is one thing; in Herrera’s hands, it’s something pretty wonderful.

There was an uptown-casual through-line in evening, as well. One dress, bodied with pale pink crepe, featured a rose gold sequined front—it almost mimicked a tight, long-sleeved tee. A trio of bows across the shoulders, also in velvet, added a counterweight of classicism. Bella Hadid’s sequined tea gown, too, retained a notable easiness, while little bell sleeves and a somewhat deep-V neckline gave it a youngish slouch. The closing dress—a lo-fi but high-impact navy velvet, open-back gown with chiffon knotted at the neck—held up the designer’s sound-off: “With this collection, I want to show the essence of the house of Herrera.” Mission accomplished, Mrs. Herrera.