Though there are countless designers to choose from when a woman wants to look beautiful, when her goal is to be a lady, nobody suits her better than Carolina Herrera. Perhaps that's because Herrera herself is the quintessential lady in her signature crisp, white button-downs and neatly shorn locks. The Venezuelan beauty's personal style — formed from the early age of 13 when she first attended Haute Couture shows — is as much an influence on her feminine and printed gowns as the botanical inspirations she finds for her often floral designs. Click through to see where Herrera's been as we look forward to where she's going for Spring 2015.
With cone hats, major dangling earrings, and beehive buns, the mood was firmly set for a romp through the late '60s on Park Avenue.
Mink sweaters, bell-sleeve jackets, trapeze dresses, and even a broadtail dress made for a luxe collection that Herrera referred to as "an exploration of soft construction and volume" in her show notes.
Prints played a major part, with bold red and cobalt providing the background for a firestone pattern on floating organza gowns.
Herrera graced us with crisp, clean designs as well, like this white gown that took advantage of the linear influence.
Layering geometric shapes over a coral column, the designer emphasized the importance of shapes.
Warm hues and bold stripes made this coat a topper you wouldn't want to take off once inside.
After a more subdued collection, Herrera made a return to glamour with her opulent Fall collection.
Mint made for a serene palette in a collection that was punctuated with pops of bold flame.
Once again mixing prints and textures, Herrera's Fall 2012 cocktail dress was a playful party number.
In Spring 2012, Herrera went to the birds, literally, and found inspiration from our feathered friends.
Even though she's a master of color, Herrera proved that she does simple black just as impressively.
Herrera's ombré gown moved as effortlessly as the colors transitioned from top to bottom.
Herrera's cocktail dress was young and playful thanks to stripes of color and a hint of shimmer.
Another bridal-worthy design in Herrera's runway would later influence her wedding designs.
Things took a turn for the laid-back at the Spring 2010 show, where billowy and pastel designs made for a relaxed collection.
Herrera brought the glam drama to the runway for Fall 2009 with powerful mermaid gowns and off-the-shoulder numbers.
Carefully layered ribbon added a textural element to many of Herrera's Spring 2009 dresses and skirts.
Pretty ruffles enhanced the designer's Spring 2009 runway, which featured tiers of bold marigold, scarlet, and even black dresses.
Borrowing from the boys, plaid suiting was at its most feminine on the Herrera runway.
One of her strongest designs, the bodice of this design looked like a warrior's chest plate.
Embellished with sparkle, the pockets on Herrera's cocktail dress were both functional and fashionable.
The bodice of this dress (structured and folded) is one that's seen often throughout her collections.
Sticking to a floral motif for Spring 2007, Herrera experimented with a new, boxy silhouette.
When you're wearing a dress as lovely as Herrera's, why hide it under anything less pretty?
When she does black, surprising elements like ornate beading or vibrant straps make her dresses anything but basic.
Herrera's white gown served as a reminder that designing for brides is another of her strengths.
With the way this dress moved, you could imagine Herrera wearing it on a luxurious yachting vacation.
A true Herrera signature, this patchwork print and bold hue would become a recurring theme in future collections.
Something a bit more sleek and sporty hit the runway for Herrera's Spring 2004 collection.