Fall/Winter 2006

Woman's Evening Dress

Caracas-born socialite Carolina Herrera, who at age thirteen attended her first couture show, had spent years on the Best-Dressed List before launching her own line in 1981. She designs clothes she herself would wear-chic, sophisticated, and impeccably crafted; they may be intricate, but must always appear simple. The "trench gown" is a dressed-up version of a trench coat in glossy violet silk with luxurious fur trim and sparkling buttons. A fold indicated the original's double-breasted front (an invisible zipper in back is the actual closure), darts are sewn to the outside and topstitched, and the A-line lower skirt opens to reveal more jeweled buttons.