The iconic designer has stepped into an ambassadorial role at the company she founded in 1980 and making room for Creative Director Wes Gordon, who had quietly been designing at her side.

The Carolina Herrera Fall 2018 runway show started and finished with an homage to that signature style. The collection featured whimsical, wild cat prints filled in for the charming florals she favors. Herrera has always been fond of three-dimensional, tremblant embroideries, and we saw feathers here and beaded fringe. She also loves an awning stripe, and we got one in the form of the show-closing strapless gown. The finale was testament to the power of simplicity: a parade of white button-downs; wide belts; bold, contrast-color taffeta ball skirts  with pockets included, and evening slippers.

White jacket–clad members of Herrera’s atelier, who watched the show from the museum’s mezzanine level, joined the designer on the runway for her bow. It was a moving scene. Then Gordon arrived and presented Herrera with red roses.

Watch as Carolina Herrera prepares her final runway show collection for Fall.