The Herreras

Family makes a house a home, even in a fashion house like the legendary House of Herrera. Spending time in the presence of Carolina Herrera, her daughter Patricia, and her granddaughter Carolina in Mrs. Herrera’s home on the Upper East Side, you can see that style is a deep family legacy. But not in the way you might expect. True, all three generations are masters of polish (and know how to look elegant in a pressed white shirt). But what Mrs. Herrera loves most is the way her daughter and granddaughter have their own distinct way of dressing. “I think they have their own style, which is the most important of all,” she told us, “not that you give them a style.”

But how does a parent achieve this? And what does each generation see (and love) in each other's style. Of course, it’s natural to want to borrow from the generations before you, and mothers and daughters everywhere know that means sometimes swiping from a closet that’s not yours. In this fashion-forward family, a “borrow” from mom is absolutely a gesture of love. Here, they share a little glimpse into how they do it.

What is a bit of style inspiration that you’ve gotten from your daughters and granddaughter?
Mrs. Herrera: I was waiting for you to ask me what did they get from me!

What do you think that they’ve gotten from you?
Mrs. Herrera: They are effortlessly stylish, both of them. And I think they are very modern, no? Now, it’s different. You get things from your fathers and your mothers and your family. I think they have their own style, which is the most important of all, not that you give them a style. They have to have their own style, and that’s important for both of them and I think they have it!
Patricia: And I think that’s what I learned, specifically. To always have your own style.
Carolina: Yep!
[All laugh]

Tell me, have you ever stolen anything from your mom’s closet?
Patricia: Uh, every day!
Maisonette: What is your strategy?
Carolina: Honestly, at this point I just take it and go and hope she doesn’t realize, but she always does. It’s usually just jeans.
Patricia: Uh, sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans, yeah.
Carolina: Well, you steal stuff from me sometimes.
Patricia: I’m stealing it back!
Carolina: No, you steal my shirts!
Patricia: I’m stealing them back.
Carolina: She steals my shirts
Patricia: Maybe some of her shirts. [Laughs]

If you could describe your mom’s style in three words what would they be?
Carolina: It’s very young, effortless and something else…
Patricia: Classic maybe?
Carolina: Yeah, classic. Young, effortless and classic. It depends. She can pull off anything.

And how would you describe your daughter’s style in three words?
Carolina: I would say it’s tomboyish with the best mix of femininity. Not three words. It’s a sentence.
Patricia: Classic maybe?
Carolina: Laughs
Patricia: But it’s true.

Do you borrow anything from your daughter’s style?
Patricia: No, because I think I’m too old to pull off her style.
Carolina: What are you talking about!
Patricia: So I think I really just love seeing how she goes out and what she puts together. I’m just looking in awe at what’s coming out.
Carolina: But we wear the same clothes when we wear the matching jeans and sweaters…
Patricia: Well that’s ‘cause you stole them, so we had to get you your own. Laughs
Carolina: Okayy Laughs

Talk to me about what you’ve inherited from your grandmother in terms of style.
Carolina: Well, I dress very casually. But if I need to go out I know how to make a dress look casual and fancy…
Patricia: and elegant…
Carolina: And elegant, yeah, she’s taught me that really well. I’m still in awe of my grandmother and how she always looks so elegant and effortless. It’s insane.

Yeah, she invented effortlessness I think.
Patricia: And I think because it’s true to her. So I think the main thing that I’ve learned is that you have your own sense of style, and also to be polished. Polish is really important. When you have a white shirt, have it be ironed. Take pride in the clothes that you have and take care of them.

That’s beautiful. And what advice would you give other mothers and daughters about how to compliment each other…or give feedback?
Patricia: I would say that you have to pick your battles. As a mother you’re always going to think in your head, “Maybe I wouldn’t have put that on…” But I think you figure it out. So pick your battles.
Carolina: Everyone has their own style so you can’t really… Patricia: [A perfect finishing each other’s sentences moment] impose your style on someone else.
Carolina: Exactly.

What are your favorite pieces from each other’s wardrobes? The thing that when they wear it you’re like, “I love you!”
Carolina: Ohh I love the jean skirt you have.
Patricia: Ohh the one with the polka dots?
Carolina: Yes. The polka dot jean skirt.
Patricia: You have that really cute yellow and white dress with the little spaghetti straps. That dress I love. I’m not sure where it’s from…
Carolina: Reformation.
Patricia: Anytime she’s worn it, I’m like oh, I wish I could wear that dress!