Carolina Herrera SS26 – From Madrid to the World

Forget New York, forget Paris. For Spring/Summer 2026, Wes Gordon, the creative director of Carolina Herrera, decided to step off the usual Fashion Week merry-go-round. Instead, he staged the Carolina Herrera SS26 runway in Madrid. And honestly, it was a show for the books.

The brand took over the Plaza Mayor, one of Europe’s most striking historic squares, and transformed it into a celebration of Spanish culture and energy, encapsulating the full spirit of La Movida Madrileña in ruffles, embroidery, and drama.

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The Collection

Wes Gordon described the collection as a love letter to Madrid, a city of bold contrasts, character, and undeniable beauty. His muses? Paloma Picasso and Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, the late Duchess of Alba, are women known for their flair and unconventional spirit.

The prints honoured the flowers of Madrid: carnations, violets, and the roses of El Retiro, reimagined in jacquard and elaborate embroidery. The palette moved from deep blues and violets to saffron and fiery reds, colours evoking Goya’s paintings, Almodóvar’s cinema, and Madrid’s unforgettable sunsets.

On the runway, we saw voluminous gowns, tiered ruffles, puffed sleeves, and ornate embroidery, echoing the world of toreros and Chulapa dresses. Yet despite its provocative references, the collection stayed firmly in the Herrera DNA: polished, classic, feminine, less playful rebellion, more timeless chic.

But the best part was the soundtrack, mixing the very best of Spanish pop from the ’80s: Porqué Te Vas? by Jeanette

The Location

The Spanish connection is more than symbolic. Carolina Herrera Jr., daughter of the house’s founder, has lived in Madrid for years. She was married to bullfighter Miguel Báez “Litri,” with whom she has three children. And, of course, the brand itself is owned by Spanish fashion powerhouse Puig.

As for the venue, Plaza Mayor was a masterstroke. Once the stage for coronations, beatifications, and even bullfights, this was the first time the square hosted a fashion show. Commissioned in the 15th century by King Philip II and begun by architect Juan de Herrera (a neat coincidence in name), the plaza took its current rectangular shape thanks to Juan de Villanueva’s later redesign. Today, it’s home to residential buildings, cafés, and restaurants, and now, a slice of Carolina Herrera fashion history.

If you’re in Madrid, put Plaza Mayor on your must-visit list. It’s one of the jewels of Spain’s Habsburg legacy, and now, forever linked to the spectacle of Carolina Herrera SS26.

Image courtesy @Carolina Herrera and @Instagram