NINA: When I grew up, fashion was not a large industry in Colombia.

There weren't many role models at the time.

That is, except for Carolina Herrera.

It really meant so much to me to see that a woman from Latin America could make it in this glamorous world.

She was revered not only by being a designer, but also because she was such an incredible social force.

Oscar de la Renta had been in the business for about 15 years at the time of Carolina's first runway show.

Fashion was so much smaller and more exclusive and closed off world than it is right now.

And it absolutely wasn't the diverse landscape you see today.

Carolina was able to make her mark not just because of her immense talent, but because of the captivating image she also cultivated personally.

WES: Originally, this creativity kind of manifested itself with her in how she dressed herself.

She quickly gained a reputation as being a style icon.

And it wasn't long before someone, I believe it was Diana Vreeland said to her, "Your talent and design skill is too big just for your own wardrobe.

There are other women who want to look like you too."

She designed her first collection as a mother of four in 1981 and showed it at the Metropolitan Club in New York.

NINA: The collection was immediately picked up by the major department stores and then it's all history from there.

She invented feminine power dressing.

She did not see any contradiction between feminine and powerful.

And I believe that is the reason her designs were so intriguing and they were so, important for women.

I mean, she has dressed everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama.

And she, like many Latin American women, has so much pride in the way she puts herself together.

And that pride and that detail comes through in her collections.

WES: In many ways, she is American fashion, right?

She really embodies the idea that great fashion is more than a piece of clothing.

And the fashion industry is the ultimate form of storytelling, of optimism, of celebrating, the potential to create beauty around us.

NINA: Her endurance has been real.

37 years at the helm of her business.

That is a long run.

I know that she has been a huge inspiration for young Latin designers, who see her as an example of what success in this industry can look like.

WES: So many young students, when they enter FIT or Parsons or Pratt, they're doing so with the dream of one day being a Carolina Herrera.

It's a great source of pride for her and for all of us at the house that Herrera has many initiatives, such as sponsorship programs for young, Latino students at FIT.

PALOMA: My family, they didn't cry as Jasmin's family did, but they understood like how significant it was because it's Carolina Herrera.

JASMIN: Honestly, if it wasn't for her, I don't think I would be in fashion.

I didn't have enough money to actually come to my dream school, which is FIT.

And with the scholarship alone, I have learned so much.

I was able to meet a whole bunch of wonderful professors who are within the industry.

Having the opportunity to actually go to fashion shows, which I thought wasn't going to happen for like a million years.

Just living my dream, making like the little girl inside of me really happy.

NINA: I think American fashion owes her a great debt for being an important voice in the diverse fashion ecosystem.

She is a true trailblazer, a leader, and her designs have become part of the fabric of the American fashion industry.

PALOMA: She really has paved the way for Latina designers.

She not opened the doors, like busted the doors open!

JASMIN: Thank you so much for everything you have done, honestly, for inspiring each and every one of us and creating beautiful, beautiful works of art.

WES: She absolutely deserves this award from the Foundation, as far as I'm concerned, she deserves every award.

We're all so lucky to, to live in a world that has been made more beautiful by Carolina Herrera.