Carolina Herrera, a lesson in style through perfume

Carolina Herrera's connection to fashion began in childhood. Born in Caracas in 1939, she travelled to Paris with her grandmother from a young age to have dresses made and attended haute couture shows, seeing fashion as a statement of identity.

Her style and charisma made her a leading figure in high society, widely regarded as one of the best-dressed women of her time. In the 1960s and 70s, she lived between Caracas and New York, forming close ties with key figures in art and fashion such as Andy Warhol and Diana Vreeland, the Vogue editor who helped launch her into design. It wasn't until 1981, at the age of 42 and with four daughters, that she launched her own brand, entering the fashion world with a mature vision and a clear aesthetic.

Her first collection, shown at the Metropolitan Club in New York, was a success. Since then, the brand has established a style defined by the balance between classic tradition and relaxed modernity: poplin shirts, voluminous skirts, and effortless elegance. "I have a responsibility to today's woman: to make her feel confident, modern and, above all, beautiful," said Carolina Herrera. Since 2018, creative direction has been led by Wes Gordon.

There was a before and after the launch of Good Girl. Although the brand already had a presence in perfumery, this fragrance caused a global sensation. Ten years on, it remains the best-selling women's perfume in the world and the number one fragrance in the United States.

But success didn't happen by chance. In the 1990s, the 212 line, inspired by the energy of New York (and its Manhattan area code), made waves with its urban, cool spirit.

In the 2000s, the Chic and CH ranges followed, offering a classic yet romantic style with a modern edge.

In 2015, the brand took a step up in luxury perfumery with the launch of Herrera Confidential, an exclusive, unisex collection combining Eastern and European influences in sophisticated compositions. With bottles that evoke precious stones, it established itself in the niche segment. The latest launch, Cedar Chic, is an aldehydic floral fragrance inspired by the brand's iconic white shirt.

In 2016, Good Girl broke new ground. Launched in the US as Carolina Herrera's biggest release in 14 years, it carried the slogan "It's so good to be bad", playing on the duality of modern womanhood.

Its stiletto-heel bottle was a creative and technical feat, reflecting both sophistication and empowerment. The composition – with jasmine, cocoa, tonka bean, almond and coffee – blended soft and intense accords in an innovative fusion. The result: an olfactory and visual crush that won over loyal consumers around the globe.

In 2019, Good Girl's counterpart arrived. Bad Boy, housed in a lightning bolt-shaped bottle, became another hit for the brand. "I had been thinking about this project for a long time: a fragrance that would capture modern masculinity, built on high-quality ingredients and a pioneering formula based on contrast. With an impressive bottle, an iconic and striking symbol, and a bold, creative image," said Carolina Herrera de Baez, creative director of fragrances at the time.

Since then, both perfumes have expanded into multiple versions, giving rise to a triumphant fragrance saga.

In 2025, Carolina Herrera is preparing to launch a new fragrance pillar: La Bomba.

The name is more than a bold choice – it was the nickname Diana Vreeland used for Carolina Herrera, a nod to her magnetic presence and energy. That spirit is captured in a fragrance that pays tribute to the founder and symbolises the brand's creative evolution.

The result of four years of work, La Bomba features an olfactory creation by Christophe Raynaud, Louise Turner, and Quentin Bisch. Its floral, luminous, and fruity composition is designed to leave a lasting impression. Its butterfly-shaped bottle, in the house's signature pink and red hues, expresses feminine empowerment and pure emotion.