Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15-October 15. It celebrates the anniversary of independence for five Latin American Countries- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico declared its independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18.
This week, it’s Carolina Herrera.
Who she is: an internationally renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur.
Brief Bio: Born Maria Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Ninos, Herrera was born in 1939 in Caracas, Venezuela.
She established her fashion line in 1981 after she and her family moved to NYC, and her test line received positive attention. Hererra quickly increased her line to include suits and gowns for high-end boutiques and clothing. She continued to develop other items that included cologne, perfume, wedding gowns, handbags and other accessories. She also has a line of boutiques, CH Carolina Herrera.
Hererra got her big break when she received a request to provide clothing from fashion icon Jacqeline Kennedy Onassis; she styled Onassis for the final 12 years of her life.
She has dressed several celebrities including Shakira, Selma Hayek and Nicole Kidman. Additionally, Herrera is a Goodwill Ambassador, a Facilitator for the Intergovernmental Insitution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), The Right to Food Campaign Initiative Against Malnutrition and Fashion United Against Malnutrition. Additionally, she was named the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2004 and received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Source and photo: about.com
