Carolina Herrera Shares Her Style

Of course, especially when we're about to bring out a new collection! But I control myself very well! Nobody realizes when I'm nervous, because I appear quite calm; if I fall apart, we all fall apart, and that can't happen. I was brought up with considerable discipline, and I was taught it wasn't proper to display certain very private emotions in public.

Have you ever thought of retiring?

Why give up something I love? I grew up surrounded by beautiful things and developed a good eye for fashion, for which I feel real passion. And the fact that at work I'm surrounded by people who share that passion makes everything easy.

There is one question I'm dying to ask you. Why do you wear white blouses so often?

Because I love them and I've worn them all my life. They are my security blanket, as they say (Laughs). They make me feel secure, and I can match them up with anything. They're very feminine, and when I'm getting dressed in the morning and can't decide what to wear, a white blouse always fits the bill. They also bring back happy memories. As a child, I wore white blouses to school, and I remember them always being ready and perfectly ironed.

White blouses have always been favored by designers like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, but you've made the more casual cotton shirts fashionable.

They go better than anything else with certain outfits, short skirts as well as pants, and even long evening skirts. They're also very flattering, because they light up one's face. But they have to look neat, well-ironed, buttons in perfect condition. I'm always saying that about clothes. What good does it do you to wear an expensive dress if one of the buttons is falling off or if it hasn't been properly ironed? Or to wear really expensive shoes if they're dusty and scuffed?

Next: How to look good without spending a fortune. »

Are you a perfectionist?

Fashion Slideshow

Take a look at some of Carolina Herrera's signature designs from her 30-year career, including Bella's wedding dress from the Twilight movie. Watch

Courtesy Carolina Herrera Press

Well, I'm a Capricorn (laughs) and I don't like to do things halfway. Attention to detail is of utmost importance when you want to look good.

You have said that fashion must be, above all, pleasing to the eye. How can we look pleasing to the eye without spending a fortune?

Essential pieces — of the best possible quality that fits your budget — are the most important ingredients. It's better to have just a few high-quality things than many things that aren't. Wear a white blouse with black or beige pants, a good-looking belt, a pearl necklace and well-polished shoes, with a pretty purse in a cheerful color such as yellow, and you'll look perfect. In winter, we'll always look good in a beautiful jacket — or a coat of the best cut and quality possible — over a simple blouse or pullover sweater and straight-leg pants. It's a very classic and feminine style. And I feel very well-dressed that way.

Describe for us an ideal wardrobe of essential pieces.

Two pairs of pants (black and beige) and a well-cut skirt of quality fabric. Several white tailored shirts — one cotton, one taffeta and one of embroidered linen. And some striped shirts, which I also like a lot. One pretty jacket or blazer. And one pretty cocktail dress. And I always say it's essential to have a good full-length mirror and a magnifying mirror, so we can put makeup on correctly.

Your collections turned 30 this year, your wedding dresses are what all the girls want to wear — even the character Bella Swan, in the latest Twilight movie — your CH boutiques have met with great success around the world, and your perfumes are very popular. How do you explain all that success?

We must be doing something people like. Our CH boutiques offer an enormous assortment of accessories and products that reflect the lifestyle I prefer. As for the wedding dresses, they're popular because they're feminine as well as comfortable, because brides need to feel comfortable when they dance and move at their wedding.

Next: Her definition of beauty. »

You are constantly asked this question, but what does it mean to be stylish?

True style money can't buy. Style is something subtle that shows in small details. It's not the clothes you wear; it's the way you act, move, speak.

How do you define beauty?

Beauty is also something you project through your personality and the way you are. Sometimes you see a woman who's not very pretty, but she has so much personality that you say, "She's so pretty!" It's not just something visual, but a combination of thousands of things: of thoughts, of tastes, of what you like in books, in art. It's a collection of things.

What is your most important beauty secret?

Apart from basic skin care, staying active, routine and preventive health check-ups, I firmly believe that to look well it's essential to eat right. It's the key to beauty, health and looking young at any age. Good nutrition is reflected in the skin on your face and in your body.

Anything else?

It's important to have love in one's life, because it makes us more human and, incidentally, more beautiful. Those are tips that don't cost a thing, right?

How would you describe yourself?

I'm very curious; I like to do research and discover new things. What makes me the happiest is to see my family and friends happy. And what upsets me the most is to see someone I love suffer because of something he or she is going through, whether it's an illness or a situation. I like people who have a sense of humor, because without a sense of humor life is empty, and you never forget someone who makes you laugh. A sense of humor makes life easier!