Wes Gordon Inspires IE University Students with Carolina Herrera’s Vision of Fashion Design at IE Creative Campus
The Creative Director reflected on his design philosophy, the brand's legacy, and shared advice for aspiring designers.
Segovia, 30 September 2025 - Wes Gordon, Creative Director of Carolina Herrera, visited IE University’s Creative Campus in Segovia to meet with students and faculty of the IE School of Architecture and Design. The session, hosted by Baruc Corazón, Senior Academic Advisor for the School's Fashion Design program, took place on the occasion of the inauguration of the school’s new building and offered participants the opportunity to hear Gordon’s reflections on creativity, design, and professional growth.
Wes Gordon described his design philosophy as a celebration of beauty, optimism, and joy. He defined creativity as a form of “magic,” capable of transforming ideas into tangible expressions that positively impact people’s lives. “The world needs more beauty, more pretty", he said. This belief in joy and optimism forms the foundation of Carolina Herrera’s mission to bring more beauty to the world. At the fashion house, this vision is reflected in a deliberate focus on vibrant, optimistic colors, with Gordon instituting what he calls a “ban on sad colors” across all collections. “If times are dark, the solution is color. The solution is joy.”
Reflecting on his eight years at the head of the fashion house, Gordon emphasized continuity and respect for the brand’s heritage, describing his leadership as “evolution, not revolution.” He characterized the Carolina Herrera woman as bold, confident, and unafraid to be noticed - an identity he sees as central to the house’s values. He recalled how an Andy Warhol portrait of Carolina Herrera crystallized this spirit for him: “This glamorous woman in bold colors with big jewelry, fabulous eyeshadow, a red lip, and a great dress—that’s Herrera. It’s energy. It’s alive.”
Gordon also discussed his decision to present the most recent Carolina Herrera collection in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, marking the first time since 1981 that the main runway show had been staged outside New York. He described the event as a “love letter to Madrid,” highlighting the cultural significance of the city and the importance of collaborating with Spanish artisans and designers to enrich the collection’s storytelling.
Advice for Aspiring Designers
In his conversation with the IE University students, Gordon shared professional advice drawn from his career. He urged future designers to prioritize product excellence over spectacle and to view commercial success as evidence of cultural relevance: "If you make a good product, people will come to it, will buy it, will love it. But you have to make a good product. The world has so much stuff - the last thing the world needs is more stuff, more mediocrity."
He emphasized that being commercial should not be seen as negative, but as proof that one’s work resonates with culture and people. “The process is only complete when someone falls in love with what you’ve made, buys it, and wears it.”
Gordon also encouraged students to focus on their uniqueness and to start small rather than attempting to create an entire collection immediately. He rejected the notion that “everything is already created”: “Nothing will ever be made the way you’re going to make it. Even if you’re replicating something, it will be different because it will have your hand and your soul in it.”
He stressed patience and resilience, advising students to embrace failure as an essential part of growth. He further highlighted the importance of attitude, enthusiasm, and commitment when seeking internships and early career opportunities.
For Gordon, fashion ultimately extends beyond clothing to encompass the way people live: “Fashion is about more than a dress. It’s about how you view the world. It’s about the flowers you buy for your kitchen table. It’s about your dogs, your friends, the dinners you have. Fashion is how you live.”
The exchange session with Wes Gordon reinforced the IE School of Architecture and Design’s commitment to promoting dialogue across disciplines and inspiring students through direct engagement with leading professionals in creative industries. These encounters provide valuable perspectives that connect design practice with culture, identity, and the broader challenges of contemporary socie