Carolina Herrera

Born in 1939 in Caracas, Venezuela, Carolina Herrera, who spent a decade as a socialite on the International Best-Dressed List, launched her own collection of women's gowns with no formal training in 1981. Featuring deep necklines and exaggerated sleeves that retained a traditional elegance, her designs won immediate acclaim and soon were being worn by high-profile figures such as Princess Diana and Caroline Kennedy. Today, her brand includes 18 retail boutiques and is sold all around the world. She received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Updated 2014