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All Aboard: Inside Carolina Herrera’s Exquisite English Countryside Escape

A vintage Belmond train journey through the English countryside and a vineyard lunch beneath summer skies set the scene for an unforgettable day

Words Natasha BirdPhotography Sam Lort
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Models Ikram Abdi, Poppy Delevingne, Erin O'Connor and actor Saffron Hocking were among the guests who joined creative director Wes Gordon on board Belmond’s British Pullman

After this week, some might say that Carolina Herrera is made for spending an exquisite afternoon in the English countryside – and we’d have to agree. Creative director Wes Gordon’s sophisticated designs certainly found the perfect backdrop in the sumptuous setting of Belmond’s British Pullman train, as London’s style set journeyed to Gusbourne Estate, an English winery in Kent, for an event celebrating the launch of our exclusive capsule collection with Carolina Herrera.

The Who

At the invite of NET-A-PORTER CEO Heather Kaminetsky and Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon, models Erin O’Connor, Poppy Delevingne and Ikram Abdi, actor Saffron Hocking and fashion editors Sarah Harris and Naomi Smart joined special guests of NET-A-PORTER for an unforgettable excursion.

  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Floral-print silk-crepe midi dress
    £2,315.00
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  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Belted halter-neck polka-dot cotton-blend twill midi dress
    £1,895.00
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  • GUCCI
    Boulevard Horsebit-detailed leather pumps
    £921.00
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  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Floral-print ruched cotton-blend maxi dress
    £1,805.00
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A blue-and-white tablescape with polka-dot details was inspired by the exclusive capsule

The What

On a bright June morning, travellers gathered beneath the iconic ironwork of London’s Victoria station, where beautifully printed tickets bearing each guest’s name in handwritten calligraphy offered the first hint of the elegant day trip ahead.

Belmond’s British Pullman train awaited invitees – its gleaming carriages exhibiting all the glamour of another era – ready to whisk the party out to the Gusbourne Estate’s vineyard, for a lunch between the vines.

In the historic Audrey and Perseus carriages of the famed locomotive, guests were served Bellinis and champagne, along with a breakfast of granola brunch bowls and smoked Hampshire chalk stream trout.

Upon arrival at Gusbourne – widely regarded as one of England’s leading wine producers – the party meandered through the grapes to discover a table draped in navy polka dots, peppered with a series of handpicked blue hydrangea posies, all inspired by the exclusive Carolina Herrera capsule itself.

The atmosphere beautifully captured the essence of modern alfresco entertaining: refined, relaxed, elegant. Seasonal dishes celebrated the abundance of the season, from marinated heritage tomatoes with stracciatella and basil to pan-fried sea bass served with saffron beurre blanc, followed by strawberries and elderflower panna cotta.

  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Floral-print linen and silk-blend gown
    £4,110.00
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  • SAVETTE
    Symmetry Pochette suede tote
    £945.00
  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Gathered polka-dot cotton-blend twill gown
    £2,595.00
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  • TOM FORD
    105 crystal-embellished satin slingback pumps
    £725.00
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The Wear

To celebrate the exclusive capsule beautifully designed by Wes Gordon, the style set arrived wearing their favorite Carolina Herrera pieces. Saffron Hocking opted for a romantic floral-print dress and Ikram Abdi chose the brand’s iconic trench gown in a flowing organza silhouette, while Poppy Delevingne wore a chic denim co-ord and Erin O’Connor styled the capsule’s navy halterneck midi dress, the latter two dappled with signature polka dots. 

“The polka-dot print is a significant part of our heritage here at Carolina Herrera, featuring in the very first collections in 1981. When I designed this capsule collection for NET-A-PORTER, I wanted to nod to this foundational print and to ultimately create dresses that feel beautiful and fun,” said Gordon of the signature print. 

“This exclusive capsule collection perfectly captures Carolina Herrera’s essence – timeless elegance, vibrant femininity and exceptional craftsmanship. We are delighted to collaborate with Wes Gordon for this special launch and to celebrate it through an unforgettable day here in the UK together,” Kaminetsky added.

Throughout the afternoon, conversations drifted between fashion, travel, food and cherished summer traditions, as guests indulged in the spirit of Carolina Herrera – equal parts joyful to feminine. Old friendships were celebrated while new ones formed, with glasses raised under the glow of the afternoon sun.

  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Wrap cotton-blend shirt
    £695.00
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  • ALAÏA
    Le Teckel medium nubuck shoulder bag
    £1,585.00
  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Polka-dot cotton-blend twill midi skirt
    £1,195.00
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    6 - low stock
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  • SAINT LAURENT EYEWEAR
    SL 868 squared-frame acetate sunglasses
    £195.00
Heather Kaminetsky and Wes Gordon welcomed the guests – including Poppy Delevingne, Ikram Abdi and Erin O’Connor, all pictured here – for lunch among the vines at Gusbourne in Kent

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