He had never been so convinced of how much we need fashion.The designers tell stories and celebrate life, dye bright colors one day that, otherwise, would be gray.That is why I enjoy being the creative director of Carolina Herrera, a house making of magic and dreams.I am one of those who think that fashion is fantasy.I think a woman can feel stronger, safer than herself, more powerful, with the appropriate clothing.And we, as a brand, celebrate all women.

Mrs. Herrera founded her firm in 1981, when she presented her to the public at the Metropolitan Club in New York, so this year we celebrated her forty anniversary. It was she who invented the mixture between luxury clothes and the most affordable garments because she, just like she lived in a house in Park Avenue, she used to have dinner in Indochina with Basquiat. When I terrified in this brand I started reviewing the files to try to capture that exuberance, that drama, that glamor without reservations. The shoulders, sleeves, earrings, heel shoes. And it is a pride to be able to say that, from that moment in 1981 until today, we have firmly defended the same belief, every day and forever: make women feel completely happy. Get a smile and make your life more beautiful. A mission that is foreign to time. Because, although it is true that Mrs. Herrera undertook this trip decades ago, when has she imported more than now the clothes capable of lifting your spirits when you look in the mirror or salts through the door? When we go out again and enjoy the world, after such a difficult year, we want Carolina Herrera to give you that little push with garments that make you feel beautiful, glamorous, ready for whatever.

I know many people of my age who are afraid of the word ‘elegance’. Upon hearing it evokes something outdated, excessive or too serious. But, for me, elegance is not that. It is no word. It does not involve rigidity or protocol. It is something timeless, without age. It is enjoyment. It is feeling arranged, well dressed, wanting more, always prepared. But it is also fun, smiles and joy of living. It is what you see in the pages of Vogue Spain (hence in Herrera we always feel so comfortable in this head). Whatever happens in the world, women want to feel safe, modern, controlling the situation. That is for me elegance: it is feeling, hint, strength, optimism. My goal has always been my ideas, my fantasies and my dreams. I love light, happiness, beauty, strong colors. And in the last four years, the house has begun to identify with the color, although this was already part of our heritage, it is enough to look at the portrait that Andy Warhol made to Mrs. Herrera. Red lips, large slopes and yellow hair. When all New York is dressed in gray slate, black and beis, our woman goes from fuchsia and orange on. What I want to design in Carolina Herrera are beautiful things that raise their mood. Use pure, saturated, vibrant colors, large prints and cheerful garments that celebrate life.

Forty years is a long time, and it becomes rare even to think that the values that raised this brand in 1981 continue to enjoy today of the same relevance.But it also comforts me: although the world is sometimes transformed so fast around us, there are things that never change.The power of a pretty look, to see you as beautiful as possible, imported before and will continue to import so 40 more years.I have no doubt about that.