Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2017

Haute society girl and famous Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka was Carolina Herrera’s muse, her glamorous personal style and the richly vivid colors of her paintings channeled into the clothes. “She was a very glamorous figure,” Herrera said. “She loved bright colors, so for evening, it’s very fluid and I have all the colors of the paintings, and for day, it’s more masculine.” After a few seasons dialing up youthful polish, Herrera returned to resolute courtliness.

Men’s wear plaids were cut into day dresses, suits and striking maxi coats. Satin crepe and devoré siren gowns came in the saturated shades of lipstick red, chartreuse, green and teal of de Lempicka’s canvases. Herrera styled the looks with ribbed thigh-high, footless tights she was adamant that they were not leg warmers with sporty stripes to temper the grand attitude with a casual touch.