Beauty as power on the Brooklyn Bridge

Just when you thought you were going to pass out from all the progressive indie brands creating statement collections, along comes Wes Gordon with the most stylish show in North America for the house of Carolina Herrera.

Presented with the grandeur worthy of these garments, the show took place on the 41st floor of 180 Maiden Lane, a brand new skyscraper on the banks of the East River.

Towering over the Brooklyn Bridge, as this collection did in comparison to so many others in New York thanks to its brilliance, poise and panache.

What's great about Gordon's tenure in this house is how he totally respects its uptown DNA, even as he gently pushes it into the future.

Gordon has always been a master of the ruffle, never more so than today, where he opened the action in a divine dimpled and pleated bias-cut silk skirt over slim trousers, paired with a red knit turtleneck top and lacquered high heels. in red. Patrician self-publishing at its finest. Later, a blouse with a plunging neckline and large anthracite silk petals seemed almost organic, while her architectural combination of pencil pants and billowing side ruffles was supremely confident.

Almost immediately, she sent out some stunning A-line ball gowns in black and white silk faille. It's hard to imagine a girl more refined than this. You could feel a designer putting effort into her craft making sure everything was perfect, from the finish to the fit.

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Even veteran supermodel Caroline Trentini, in an incredible Roman Imperial purple dress made from four rows of ruffled gazar printed in peonies and then hand-finished with oversized fabric peonies.

Made with a dramatic color statement, on par with brands like Saint Laurent, with bold color blocking, like a purple merino turtleneck with pink satin sash and red satin pumps.

“A tribute to the idea that beauty is strength, power and resilience. You should never think that beauty and power are opposites. He wanted each model to be a goddess, but unabashedly feminine at the same time. A reverence for every fold, gather and flower, which is the result of much thought. A place where there is nothing superfluous,” Gordon told FashionNetwork.com after the show.

Performed before a bevy of stars including Demi Moore, Diane Kruger, Avantika and Becky G and a small regiment of It Gals, from Harley Viera to Hannah Bronfman.

In short, a first-rate example of how to create a very well-produced show with a French touch. From understated production by Bureau Betak and impeccable styling by Marie Chaix to a brilliantly majestic soundtrack by Frederic Sanchez that combined the brand's sense of majesty with its Latin American roots. aura by Beyoncé combined with Yours by Rosalía.

Revealed to 360-degree views of the city: looking west towards Brooklyn Heights; to the north, to the United Nations; East to the Freedom Tower and south to the Statue of Liberty. Capturing the energy, eternal optimism and self-confidence of New York. Herrera at his best.